Over €1m awarded to several tourism projects in Offaly
Project to convert 19th century coach house in Tullamore to self-catering accommodation
A FURTHER 24 projects in the Midlands, including in Offaly, have received over €3.6 million in funding under Fáilte Ireland’s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs.
This funding, announced by Tourism Minister Peter Burke, is part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
It’s the third announcement of successful projects under the Private and Community SME scheme, bringing the total amount allocated to rural tourism projects in the Midlands to €13.4 million.
Only projects in Longford, Westmeath, Laois, Offaly, Roscommon and certain parts of Galway, Kildare and Tipperary are eligible.
Welcoming the news Deputy John Clendennen said: “I was delighted to learn this week from my colleague, Minister Peter Burke, that over €1 million in funding has been granted to Offaly. This money will be well spent, invested into local capital projects which will support tourism businesses and encourage more footfall into our area.
“There is also another tranche of funding being announced in September and I have been in touch with the Minister in relation to this. We need to continue to support our rural tourism businesses that incentivise visitors into the area, to the benefit of our entire local economy”.
The successful Offaly projects include Bare Meadows Projects Ltd who were awarded €712,488 across categories 1,2 and 3 including the delivery of multifunctional activity building with an outdoor viewing deck and telescope, barrel saunas, peat baths, hot tubs, and an educational playground, development of 6 ensuite cabins and Quantity Surveyor and Engineer professional fees.
Tullamore Tidy towns are to receive €1,990 to implement new signage while Up Close and Personal Promotions are to be awarded €300,000 towards the renovation of a 19th-century Old Coach House on Church Street, Tullamore into modern, sustainable short-term self-catering accommodation.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke T.D. Said: "I am glad to allocate more investment to projects in the midlands under the EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. By investing in the development of the tourism offering in these counties and into small rural businesses, we will deliver long-term sustainable economic development and critically important jobs in communities and businesses across the Midlands for many years to come. I look forward to seeing these projects delivered over the next year and announcing the final projects under the programme in the coming weeks.”