Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen TD made an official visit to the National Museum of Ireland-Country Life in Turlough last Friday where he officially announced tourism development grants of €2.2 million for 35 historic towns— with two recipients being Ballina and Westport.
Minister Cullen explained that Westport was to receive €39,680 in funding, with Ballina receiving an amount of €71,190. The historic towns initiative was introduced by Fáilte Ireland to provide historic walking trails in up to 100 towns around the country; assist local authorities to provide range of tourist signage, including orientation, interpretative and information boards and designated historic trails; and maximise tourism potential of the historic towns.
The Minister, who paid his first visit to Turlough Park House during his announcement, commented “the fruitful collaboration between the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the National Museum of Ireland, Mayo County Council and the Office of Public Works which has given the country a museum to be proud of” and has established itself as one of the “principal cultural and tourism destinations outside Dublin.”
