Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring this week announced €3.2m funding for the next phase of the Wild Atlantic Way development. As part of the overall funding package €360,000 has been allocated to Mayo for works on 24 discovery points and four embarkation points along the route.
The discovery points which have been identified for upgrade are essential to the success of the project and represent locations where the visitor can stop off, get out and explore, find out about some unique stories relating to the natural heritage of the area as well as the culture and social history associated with the location. The funding, announced through Fáilte Ireland, will be for a programme of improvement works for 133 discovery points and 22 embarkation points which have been identified along the 2,400km route. The route which stretches from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork is already garnering significant interest overseas.
Speaking this week Minister Ring said: “I am delighted that this funding has been allocated for many wonderful spots in Mayo and beyond. The Wild Atlantic Way has massive potential to bring more overseas visitors and more jobs to rural communities right along the western seaboard. The funding will significantly enhance what we will be offering to those visitors and will allow us to deliver on the promise of a route which is already capturing the attention and imagination of many potential tourists throughout the world.”
Shaun Quinn, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, emphasised: “The Wild Atlantic Way is one of our most ambitious tourism projects ever. Already, the reception both at home and abroad to the concept has been incredibly encouraging. This funding is part of the ongoing evolution of the project. Most of the route has now been branded and signed and Fáilte Ireland is working with tourism operators and local communities all along the coast to ensure that they can engage with the opportunities offered by the project and to assist them in ‘telling and selling’ and in bringing their stories alive for those who visit.”
