CORK COUNTY COUNCIL AND FAILTE IRELAND UNVEIL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS OF OVER €1.17m FOR 16 PROJECTS
THROUGHOUT CORK COUNTY
CLLR TOM SHEAHAN, MAYOR OF CORK COUNTY-
“CORK COUNTY COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO COOPERATE WITH FAILTE IRELAND SOUTH-WEST TO GROW CORKS TOURISM INDUSTRY AND ATTRACT MORE TOURISTS TO CORK COUNTY”
Picture shows Ms. Fiona Buckley, Failte-Ireland and Cllr. Tom Sheahan, Mayor of County Cork announcing €1.17m of Tourism Infrastructure Grants.
Cork County Council and Failte Ireland South-West unveiled details of more than €1.17 million allocated under Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Infrastructure Fund to 16 tourism projects around Cork County on Tuesday, 19th of February 2008 (full details below).
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The Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which targets facilities such as walking and cycling routes, jetties and moorings, angling stands, beach management access paths to key areas of environmental and scenic interest, signposting and orientation facilities in heritage and historic towns aims to enhance the attractiveness of Cork County to the visiting tourist.
The €1.1m grant approvals figure includes €816,073 for various walking routes, including almost €516,365 for elements of a national coastal walk; €59,759 to develop Skibbereen as a Cycling Hub € 109,000 for environment and visitor management works; €138,347 for angling facilities and €50,000 for improvement and management works at Inchydoney Blue Flag Beach.
The projects are 75% funded by Failte Ireland with a 25% contribution from Cork County Council.
The National Development Plan 2007-13 "Transforming Ireland", provides for a total Exchequer investment of €800m over the seven years in Irelands Tourist Industry.
Cllr Tom Sheahan said: "Cork’s sweeping countryside, great stretches of unspoilt coastline and engrossing heritage and culture are all keyingredients in positioning Cork County as a vibrant activity holiday destination for walking, cycling, angling and water-based pursuits. I am confident that the projects being supported will help to address tourism infrastructure deficits and enhance Cork’s overall attractiveness to visitors”.
The successful projects formally announced today were approved by the Fáilte Ireland Authority following an assessment of proposals received from local authorities and other development bodies throughout the country.
It is anticipated that all tourism infrastructure projects announced will be complete and in place in time for the busy 2008 tourist summer season.
Further information-
Mr. Fergal Gough, Cork County Council 021-4285500
Ms. Fiona Buckley, Failte-Ireland 021-4255106
Details of Projects for which Grants have been Approved;