Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, on 14 February announced 66 projects which will be allocated funding of €62 million under the €1 billion Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, a key component of Project Ireland 2040.
The announcement took place in the Íontas Arts Centre, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan where Minister Ring was joined by Heather Humphreys TD, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for Community Development, Natural Resources and Digital Development.
A number of coastal and marine-related projects were announced among the 66 successful applications for funding, including:
- Developing a blue economy hub of enterprise, innovation, applied research, commercialisation and learning in Killybegs called the Ocean Innovation Centre Ireland.
- Upgrade of the Lahinch Seaworld community-run facility in the town.
- Refurbishing and expanding the facilities at the historic Loop Head visitor lighthouse attraction with a view to enhancing the capacity and attractiveness of the lighthouse.
- Developing a detailed design for a visitor centre, a design for a new boat landing point including visitor trails and the production of an interpretation strategy for Inis Cealtra Island.
- Developing a masterplan to develop a new visitor and tourist Centre at Doolin pier.
- Developing a plan to solve critical congestion and visitor management issues along the Wild Atlantic Way at 15 key locations within the counties of Clare and Kerry.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund aims to revitalise rural Ireland by supporting self-sustaining projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000.
ENDS
The full Press Release from the Department of Rural and Community Development is provided below:
A detailed list of the successful projects announced is provided below:
https://drcd.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/190214-RRDF-Successful-Projects.pdf
Details of the successful marine-focused projects announced are provided in the tables below:
TABLE 1: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) Successful Category 1 Marine-Focused Projects.
|
Project |
Location |
County |
Lead Applicant |
Description |
RRDF Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lahinch |
Lahinch |
Clare |
Clare County |
This project is a substantial upgrade of the Lahinch Seaworld community-run facility and associated public realm works in the town. It includes: The retrofitting of the Seaworld building; new public toilets; public realm works; completion of building of new Surf Rescue and Training Centre, Lahinch sports field, new car park and amenity area.
|
€2,860,000 |
|
Loop Head |
Loop Head |
Clare |
Clare County |
This is a significant tourism project which will refurbish and expand the facilities at the historic Loop Head visitor lighthouse attraction with a view to enhancing the capacity and attractiveness of the lighthouse. The project will assist in the enhancement of the existing tourism offering in the area, delivering benefits to the wider community through increased activity. |
€868,500 |
TABLE 2: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) Successful Category 2 Marine-Focused Projects.
| Project Description |
Location | County | Lead Applicant | Description | Total RRDF Funding Sought |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inis Cealtra Island |
Inis Cealtra | Clare | Clare County Council |
Will develop a detailed design for a visitor centre, a design for a new boat landing point including visitor trails and the production of an interpretation strategy for the island. | €920,500 |
| Doolin Pier | Doolin | Clare | Clare County Council |
Will develop a masterplan to develop a new visitor and tourist Centre at Doolin pier. | €465,571 |
| Wild Atlantic Way |
Multiple | Clare/Kerry | Fáilte Ireland | Will develop a plan to solve critical congestion and visitor management issues along the Wild Atlantic Way at 15 key locations within the counties of Clare and Kerry. | €666,300 |
| Ocean Innovation Centre Ireland |
Killybegs | Donegal | Letterkenny Institute of Technology |
Will develop a blue economy hub of enterprise, innovation, applied research, commercialisation and learning called the Ocean Innovation Centre Ireland | €293,436 |