Coastal Investment Scheme Launched

Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin TD and Minister for the Economy of Northern Ireland Conor Murphy MLA have announced a new funding call from Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland to enhance interpretation at existing operating visitor attractions and experiences along the north of the Wild Atlantic Way and along the Causeway Coastal Route.    

The Coast-to-Coast Investment Scheme will upgrade existing operating visitor attractions and experiences in counties Donegal, Sligo and parts of Leitrim on the Wild Atlantic Way and the local authority areas of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council along the Causeway Coastal Route.

The scheme is worth €3 million in Ireland / £2.5 million in Northern Ireland, with €1.5 million available in Ireland and £1.25 million available in Northern Ireland.

It is the first initiative from the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project and is supported by a €7.6 million allocation from the Government’s Shared Island Fund out to 2025. This all-island tourism partnership project is being developed and implemented by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.

The scheme aims to encourage visitors to explore both tourist routes by improving the storytelling and immersive experience capabilities on offer in existing visitor attractions and experiences.

Minister Catherine Martin TD said:

“With this innovative funding scheme, the Government is supporting new collaboration and investment in the Tourism sector on a cross-border basis. The Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project – Coast-to-Coast Capital Investment Scheme will improve and better connect the visitor experience at existing operating attractions along the Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route to ensure they offer innovative, world-class visitor experiences which will appeal to our international and domestic visitors and will further raise the profile of these magnificent touring routes.”

Director of Regional Development at Fáilte Ireland Paul Keeley said:

“The launch of this scheme is an important first step in delivering the Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project which will have a significant positive impact on sustainable tourism development on the island of Ireland.”

The maximum investment grant value available is €300,000 in Ireland, or £250,000 in Northern Ireland, for any one project under this scheme. The minimum investment grant value is €50,000 in Ireland and £40,000 for Northern Ireland. Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland will assess Expression of Interest Forms to determine the applicant’s and the proposed project’s eligibility in accordance with the scheme’s qualifying criteria.

Further information and details on how to apply for Ireland available here.  For Northern Ireland, click here.