Taoiseach Notes Route Progress

Taoiseach Simon Harris T.D. joined with John McGrillen of Tourism Northern Ireland, Paul Kelly of Fáilte Ireland, and Alice Mansergh of Tourism Ireland to welcome progress with the implementation of the Shared Island Wild Atlantic Way/Causeway Coastal Route Tourism Brand Collaboration Project.  

The Government of Ireland allocated €7.6m from the Shared Island Fund for this cross-border tourism brand collaboration and marketing initiative which is delivered on a cooperative basis by Tourism Northern Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in consultation with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Ireland) and the Department for Economy (Northern Ireland).  

The Shared Island Wild Atlantic Way/Causeway Coastal Route Tourism Brand Collaboration Project is creating synergies between these two touring routes and bringing benefits to the North West and Northern coast regions by supporting new opportunities that create lasting tourism impact and economic benefit.  

As part of this collaboration, Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin and Minister for the Economy of Northern Ireland Conor Murphy in July announced a new funding scheme – the Coast to Coast capital investment fund – jointly administered by the three tourism agencies and worth €3m/£2.5m to enhance interpretation at existing operating visitor attractions and experiences along the north of the Wild Atlantic Way and along the Causeway Coastal Route. There has been a very strong response to the expression of interest phase in August, and the call applications will open in the coming weeks, with detail published on the websites of the three Tourism Agencies.  

Taoiseach Simon Harris said: 

“This initiative will undoubtedly create more opportunities for tourists from both home and abroad to experience all that Derry and the amazing North West and Northern coast regions have to offer, and I look forward to seeing the outputs of this impactful project.”

Paul Kelly said:  

“The Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project will?enhance and link?the visitor experience across these two iconic routes, the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way, helping to extend the economic benefits of tourism to local communities throughout these areas.”

Alice Mansergh said:  

“At Tourism Ireland, we market the island of Ireland overseas, sustainably increasing the value of inbound tourism for economies and communities island-wide. Making it easier to navigate from the spectacular Causeway Coastal Route to the northern section of the Wild Atlantic Way – and vice versa – is a real win.”

John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism NI, said:  

“Tourism is one of Northern Ireland’s most important economies, and the Shared Ireland Tourism Brand Collaboration Project will further maximise our rich tourism offering in the international marketplace.”