Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D. visited Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor, Co Down, for a briefing on the implementation of the Shared Island Shared Destinations projects.
The Taoiseach was joined by Aine Kearney, Acting CEO of Tourism Northern Ireland, Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, and Alice Mansergh, CEO of Tourism Ireland, in the Carlingford Lough area, which is one of three destinations that will feature as part of up to €23million in Government funding, under the Shared Island Fund.
The Shared Destinations Project will see initiatives in Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark; Carlingford Lough; and Sliabh Beagh each receive funding for the development of cross-border trails, enhanced amenities and wayfinding and interpretation to improve the visitor experience and encourage more domestic and international visitors to explore these regions, driving economic benefits for the local communities.
Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland will work in partnership with local authorities in both jurisdictions. An additional funding allocation will go to Tourism Ireland to market these projects and areas overseas, to encourage valuable international visitors to the region.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
“I am delighted to join the three tourism agencies on the island today to discuss progress on the Shared Island Shared Destinations initiative. The strong collaboration from the agencies on these projects, supported through our Shared Island Fund, is very welcome, and very much in line with the ambition of building a lasting reconciliation for all communities on the island of Ireland. The scenic areas around Carlingford Lough, Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark and Sliabh Beagh are tremendous assets for the whole island and this investment in these sustainable tourism projects will see real local benefit.”
Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said:
“It was a pleasure to brief Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the progress of the Shared Island tourism projects. Initiatives at Cuilcagh Lakelands, Carlingford Lough, and Sliabh Beagh are creating new opportunities to connect communities and enhance visitor experiences across the region. In partnership with Tourism Northern Ireland, Tourism Ireland, and the local authorities in the region, we are developing high-quality outdoor tourism offerings that celebrate our shared heritage. These investments will deliver lasting benefits for both visitors and local communities.”
Aine Kearney, Interim CEO of Tourism Northern Ireland, said:
“I very much welcome the significant investment in new tourism infrastructure at Cuilcagh, Sliagh Beagh and Carlingford. Working with our colleagues in Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the local authorities these projects will allow us to enhance the island’s tourism offer through the development of new compelling visitor experiences, in turn supporting our collective ambitions to develop a more regionally balanced tourism economy.”
Alice Mansergh, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said:
“At Tourism Ireland, we market the island of Ireland overseas, sustainably increasing the value of inbound tourism for economies and communities island wide. We warmly welcome the new Shared Island cross-border projects, which very much align with our strategy. Our research consistently shows that overseas visitors are motivated to come to the island of Ireland by an interest in exploring scenery, culture and heritage. Shared Island projects will help inspire visitors to stay longer and spend more in regions north and south of the border, benefitting communities and economies.”
