€440,000 regenerative tourism project ‘Tides of Time’ supported by Fáilte Ireland through the EU Just Transition Fund
Tides of Time, a newly restored visitor centre in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, was officially opened today by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD. The project was awarded over €352,000 in funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the EU Just Transition Fund. Carrick-on-Suir Development Association invested a further €88,000 in the development bringing the total investment to over €440,000.
The new visitor experience represents a significant addition to Tipperary’s tourism offering, providing a new visitor attraction that strengthens the appeal of the region for both international and domestic visitors.
Located within the restored St. Nicholas’s Church of Ireland in the heart of Carrick-on-Suir, Tides of Time has undergone a transformative redevelopment led by Carrick-on-Suir Development Association (COSDA) and Explore Carrick-on-Suir in partnership with Fáilte Ireland. The revitalised visitor experience brings the story of Carrick-on-Suir to life, exploring the town’s origins, its relationship with the River Suir and Three County Hinterlands, and the people, writers and artists who have shaped its identity across generations.
The redevelopment combines the town’s rich heritage with innovative interpretation, offering visitors a contemporary and immersive experience. Highlights include audio visual experiences, interactive displays and touchscreen technology; an interactive talking portrait of nineteenth-century writer Dorothea Herbert, powered by AI and based on her own writings; a unique oral history archive featuring local voices; a reconstruction of the study of acclaimed local poet and author Michael Coady, newly designed exhibition and window graphics, and a series of engaging displays exploring the history and development of Carrick-on-Suir.
Situated close to key attractions including Ormond Castle and the Suir Blueway, Tides of Time further strengthens Carrick-on-Suir’s position as an important destination within Ireland’s Ancient East and provides visitors with another reason to spend more time exploring the town and wider region.
Speaking at the official opening, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said:
“I am pleased to officially open Tides of Time today. This project is a perfect example of how investment through the EU Just Transition Fund is helping communities to unlock the tourism potential of their local heritage and create new opportunities for sustainable economic development.
The redevelopment of this historic building has created a high-quality visitor experience that showcases the unique story of Carrick-on-Suir while supporting the local economy and strengthening the town’s appeal as a tourism destination. I commend Carrick-on-Suir Development Association, Fáilte Ireland and all those involved in bringing this project to fruition.”
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien TD said:
“I welcome the official opening of Tides of Time, a project supported through the EU Just Transition Fund. This Fund, which is overseen by my Department, is providing a total of €169 million, through Government and EU co-funding, to support the communities most negatively affected by the move away from fossil fuels and the cessation of commercial peat extraction. A key objective of the Fund is to help communities build a sustainable future by supporting new economic opportunities and investing in projects that enhance the places where people live, work and visit.
This project is just one of over 170 works being supported by the Fund which has now allocated over €120m to successful beneficiaries in the Midlands Territory.The redevelopment of Tides of Time has restored an important local building while creating a valuable new amenity for Carrick-on-Suir. It demonstrates the positive impact that community-led projects can have in strengthening towns, celebrating local identity and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the region.”
CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Caroline Bocquel said:
“The opening of Tides of Time is another important milestone in the delivery of Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme and demonstrates the positive impact that investment through the EU Just Transition Fund is having in Tipperary and across the region.
This project transforms an important heritage asset into a compelling visitor experience that will help attract more visitors to Carrick-on-Suir, encourage longer stays and deliver economic benefits for local businesses and the wider community. Located alongside attractions such as Ormond Castle and the Suir Blueway, Tides of Time strengthens the overall visitor offering in South Tipperary and provides a valuable addition to Ireland’s Ancient East.”
Bernie Roe, Assistant Director, Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, said:
“EMRA is pleased to see the official opening of Tides of Time and congratulates Carrick-on-Suir Development Association and Fáilte Ireland on bringing this project to life with the support of the EU Just Transition Fund Programme.
Projects such as Tides of Time demonstrate how investment in heritage, culture and tourism can support economic diversification, strengthen communities and create distinctive visitor experiences. As Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund, EMRA is proud to support initiatives that deliver long-term benefits for local communities while enhancing the attractiveness of the region for visitors.”
Niall Walsh, Chairperson of Carrick-on-Suir Development Association, said:
“We are delighted that Peter Burke T.D., Minister for Enterprise Tourism and Employment formally opened the state-of-the-art Tides of Time tourism interpretation at the Carrick-on-Suir Visitor Centre today. With this great asset, we will grow our visitor numbers by orders of magnitude with consequent economic benefit to the town and its hinterland.”
The Tides of Time visitor centre also includes a café operated by local company Three Bridges Coffee, alongside a book and gift shop that further enhances the visitor experience and supports the local economy. The centre is located at the heart of a three-county region that includes the Lingaun Valley and the Comeragh Mountains of North Waterford.
Tides of Time is one of a growing number of projects being delivered through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. Through targeted investment in sustainable tourism infrastructure and visitor experiences, the scheme is helping to diversify local economies, support employment and create compelling reasons for visitors to explore destinations across Ireland’s Ancient East and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
