merrion street

Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar and Minister of State Michael Ring today announced almost €6 million worth of funding for four tourism projects across Ireland. The Ministers announced the funding in the Book of Kells Exhibition Centre, Trinity College Dublin.

The funding, from Fáilte Ireland’s Tourism Capital Investment Programme, has been allocated to four projects across the country:

• Book of Kells, Trinity College – €2.7 million
• Garnish Island – €2.4 million
• Killarney Downhill Mountain Bike Trail – €430,353
• Lough Rynn Infrastructure – €212,250

The projects include a new setting for the Book of Kells in Trinity College, an international-standard mountain bike trail in Killarney, an interpretative centre for the gardens of Garnish Island in Cork, enhanced camping and activity facilities in Co. Leitrim.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Varadkar said:

‘These investments will help Ireland to continue competing with other holiday destinations around the world, by providing high-quality tourist attractions. The tourism sector will be a key driver of Ireland’s economic recovery and employs 180,000 people. We aim to protect those jobs and stimulate new ones by investing in tourism projects like these, in tandem with the tourism measures contained in the Jobs Initiative’.

Minister Ring said:

‘Each of these projects offer something unique for tourists, and all reflect the range of activities and attractions available in Ireland. Today’s holidaymakers have a bewildering choice of international destinations. So we must do all we can to ensure that Ireland is firmly on the international tourism map and a very desirable location to visit. Investing in high-quality projects like these is part of that effort’.