Funding of up to €4.3 million has been allocated to 27 tourism projects around the country.
Announcing the grants this morning, Minister for Tourism Martin Cullen said funding of €14.8 million is being provided in 2008 to support investment in tourism infrastructure, attractions and visitor activity facilities.
The grants approved under Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Infrastructure Fund include over €1.8m for the development of cycle routes, €598,000 for the development of angling facilities and €525,000 for environmental works.
In addition, €834,000 is being provided for various walking routes, while €466,000 is available for the provision of a national coastal walk.
Over €70,000 is being made available for a new Mount Leinster heritage drive, which will begin in Borris, Co Offaly, and continue onwards towards Mt. Leinster, Bunclody, the Watch, Clonegal, Kildavin, Myshall, Fenagh, and Bagenalstown before returning to Borris.
Other projects to receive funding include the Shannon Region Cycling Project in Co Clare, the Ballybay Wetlands Project in Co Monaghan, the Ballydehob Shoreline Walk in Co Cork and the Rosses Point Coastal Walk Project in Co Sligo.
The focus of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund, launched last year, is on providing grants for facilities such as walking and cycling routes, jetties and moorings, angling stands, access paths to key areas of environmental and scenic interest, and signposting and orientation facilities in heritage and historic towns.
“The Government is acutely aware of the need to continually invest in Ireland’s tourism product offering if we are to sustain the growth in visitor numbers into the future,” said Mr Cullen.
