A €7.6million fund has been confirmed for a tourism marketing initiative to connect Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way.
The initiative is part of new all-island partnership projects including tourism marketing initiatives and cross-border language schemes.
Minister Charlie McConalogue said that many of the initiatives will directly benefit Donegal.
Minister McConalogue said “As a border county, the links between Donegal and Northern Ireland are crucial and the Government’s Shared Island unit was established to explore greater links and supports. The wide range of programmes announced this week, supported by €50m, will have a huge positive impact on cross-border communities such as the €7.5m brand support between the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route which in part celebrates Donegal’s coastal communities and tourist attractions.”
The Minister continued, “Thank you to the Taoiseach and Senator Niall Blaney for their leadership on cross-border matters.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin outlined the funding allocations as part of a speech at the 2nd Shared Island Forum at Dublin Castle yesterday, which are:
- €11m for all-island biodiversity actions on peatlands restoration and biosecurity;
- €7.6m for new all-island tourism brand collaboration and marketing initiatives;
- €8m for a Shared Island dimension to the Creative Ireland programme and cultural heritage projects over 2023-2027;
- €2m funding contribution to a new Shared Island Civic Society fund;
- €12m for development of a cross-border innovation hub;
- €10m funding contribution to a second round of the North South Research Programme.
The Taoiseach also confirmed a contribution of €20m from the Shared Island Fund for Co-Centres for Research and Innovation on Climate and Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems.
