Fáilte Ireland has announced the first 17 projects, worth almost €2.9m, that have been awarded funding under its Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs.
Part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, this marks the first announcement of successful projects under the Private and Community SME scheme, which closed in January after receiving 170 applications.
The 17 projects [listed below] represent the first to have signed Investment Grant Agreements with Fáilte Ireland, with more projects expected to be announced on a rolling basis in the coming weeks and months, as evaluations of applications are completed.
Projects span four regenerative tourism development categories, including the Development or Enhancement of Sustainable Visitor Experiences; Development of Sustainable/Low Carbon Tourist Accommodation; Capital Project Planning and Design; and Accessibility enhancements to provide a more inclusive visitor experience.
CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Paul Kelly said:
“When Fáilte Ireland launched this scheme in August 2023, our aim was to create new opportunities for local communities and businesses across the midlands – and today’s announcement is a huge milestone in this journey.
“These 17 projects will provide innovative and sustainable visitor experiences and develop low-carbon tourist accommodation, and I look forward to further announcements of successful projects in the coming weeks and months, as we continue to evaluate the significant number of applications we received.
“Initiatives like the EU Just Transition Fund are essential for generating new opportunities for employment and sustaining local communities by creating more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East.
“We also look forward to further collaboration with local tourism businesses and communities, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) and our strategic partners to deliver a wide range of projects under the EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme over the next year and a half.”
Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) Clare Bannon said:
“As the Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) welcomes the announcement of these private and community SME projects. The EU Just Transition Fund is a transformative concept for communities in the Midlands, and these 17 projects highlight the significant opportunities arising from investment in tourism. By investing in tourism, we not only create more recreational activities but also contribute to the preservation of environmental quality, fostering sustainable growth and prosperity for our community.”
There has been significant interest in the Private and Community SME scheme, with a high volume of applications received. Fully completed applications are being evaluated in the order of receipt. Fáilte Ireland will communicate with applicants once their application has been evaluated.
Up to 70 tourism enterprises, spread across all eight counties in the EU Just Transition Territory, are also participating in the Digital Transformation programme element of the scheme, valued at up to €4.8m. This funding enables these enterprises to participate in a two-year programme which will transform their online presence and digital capabilities.
PROJECTS DETAILS
Descriptions of all categories available here.
| Location | Category (1/2/3/5)* | Funding |
| Westmeath | CATEGORY 2 Design and planning for accommodation chalets. | € 48,400 |
| Longford | CATEGORY 1 Enhanced bicycles and equipment to provide an accessible and inclusive visitor experience. | €135,200 |
| Laois | CATEGORY 2 Glamping and wagon accommodation experience. | €250,000 |
| Longford | CATEGORY 1 Inclusive visitor experience in Clondara area with increased tour options and routes and enhanced fleet of bicycles and equipment. | €25,776 |
| Offaly | CATEGORY 3 Planning and design to redevelop and repurpose farm outbuildings into low carbon self-catering accommodation including ecological restoration and planting native flora and fauna. | €13,474 |
| Offaly | CATEGORY 1 Develop fly fishing tours on the River Shannon. | €41,520 |
| Tipperary | CATEGORY 1 Enhanced bicycles and equipment to provide an accessible and inclusive visitor experience. | € 47,200 |
| Galway | CATEGORY 3 A feasibility study to develop a cookery school with dorm style accommodation outdoor glamping pods, campervan pitches, a petting farm and wellness space. | €57,600 |
| Offaly | CATEGORY 1 Increase the variety of the stock of bikes available to create a more inclusive visitor experience. | €168,000 |
| Tipperary | CATEGORY 2 Redevelopment of outhouses into self-catering accommodation units and facilities for glamping tents. | €300,000 |
| Roscommon | CATEGORY 2 Conversion of a 19th Century Schoolhouse into modern guest accommodation. | €275,000 |
| Longford | CATEGORY 2 Development of eco cabins with accompanying works to surrounding area. | €300,000 |
| Longford | CATEGORY 2 Delivery of self-catering accommodation to include one cottage and two glamping pods. | €300,000 |
| Westmeath | CATEGORY 2 Conversion of disused buildings into self-catering cottages | €300,000 |
| Laois | CATEGORY 2 Delivery of luxury eco glamping huts, including a wheelchair accessible hut | €300,000 |
| Longford | CATEGORY 1 Enhanced boat and boating equipment to facilitate on-water guided tours. | €37,000 |
| Longford | CATEGORY 2 Conversion of store room building into guest accommodation. | €300,000 |
