During his first official visit to Glenveagh National Park on Thursday, Minister of State Michael Ring confirmed funding of €250,000 in capital investment for Glenveagh National Park and wildlife reserves.
Fine Gael Minister of State Joe McHugh said, “I am delighted with Minister Ring’s announcement today of funding for Glenveagh National Park, which is part of the Department’s Capital Programme for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and is aimed at priority capital projects identified within the country’s six National Parks and 80 statutory Nature Reserves.
“Over €160,000 has been allocated to upgrading works, which include bridge and road repairs as well as upgrading of waste water facilities, with a further €80,000 being allocated for the control of invasive species. This is fantastic news for Glenveagh National Park.”
Glenveagh is a key signature point on the Wild Atlantic Way, the second largest of six National Parks, and the only National Park in Ulster.
“289,000 tourists visited Donegal last year and spent over €83million, according to figures compiled by Fáilte Ireland’s Survey of Overseas Travellers for 2015, not taking into account local visitors. The list shows that Donegal received the eighth most number of tourists in the entire country, with many of these using the walkway and cycle tracks throughout the County, with many visiting Glenveagh’s Park.
“Donegal Airport was recently voted among the World’s Top Ten most scenic Airports in the World, the Sliabh Liag Cliffs were voted “Most Impressive Site to Visit” by customers of CIE Tours International, along with our Lighthouses in Fanad Head and St. John’s Point receiving International recognition. As well as opportunities such as Star Wars filming coming to Malin Head earlier this year, and the recent Royal Visit by Prince Charles and Camilla to various parts of the County including Glenveagh Castle, Donegal has a huge amount to offer our visitors.
“I wish to commend staff members at Glenveagh National Park for their interest and commitment to our environment and to preserving our natural wildlife and driving tourism to the park. I wish to also acknowledge the wonderful work going on in the Glenveagh Bridge House Education Centre, which I had the pleasure of officially opening in 2014, and the ongoing dedication evident here, in making the teaching of science and nature more attractive to our young people.”
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