Carlingford Lough receives tourism boost from Shared Island Fund

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and Tánaiste Simon Harris have announced that the Dublin Government has set aside allocations of over €50 million for a series of new programmes to be delivered over the next five years.

Almost half of that pot – some €23m – has been give over to Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland to work in partnership with local authorities to develop sustainable tourism amenities across the border region.

Money will be spent on delivering a network of trailheads, trails and water access points across the Carlingford Lough Region region, and increasing connectivity between tourism assets, complemented by delivery of a Destination Experience Strategy to promote the region.

The investment "will harness the benefits of the Narrow Water Bridge as a lynchpin for sustainable tourism and recreation activity around the whole Carlingford Lough area”.

Sustainable tourism development projects will also be undertaken at the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Geopark and Sliabh Beagh.

Making today’s announcements, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, said: “The Government, through the Shared Island initiative, is moving forward with the task of building a lasting reconciliation for all communities on the island of Ireland.

“We have committed an additional €1 billion to our Shared Island Fund out to 2035 and today made a first set of allocations to enhance the whole island and strengthen connections between people.

“The Shared Island funding will enable multi-annual investment programmes on sustainable tourism; arts and cultural heritage; civic society cooperation; and nature restoration.

“With the iconic Narrow Water Bridge under construction, we are now supporting Tourism Agencies and Local Authorities to collaboratively develop the tourism opportunities this will bring for Carlingford Lough and the surrounding region.

“All of these programmes are now resourced to proceed in the years ahead, working through all-island partnerships. This is only the beginning of what we will achieve through the more resourced Shared Island Initiative in the time ahead. The Government will continue to deepen our Good Friday Agreement partnerships - with the Northern Ireland Executive and with the UK Government - and work every day for reconciliation of the different traditions of our shared island.”

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, said: “The new Programme for Government sets out significant new commitments and an ambitious agenda for building our shared island over the next five years.

“Our ambition is backed up with an additional €1billion commitment to the Shared Island Initiative out to 2035, allowing the Government, early in its term, to make significant new commitments from the Shared Island Fund.

“We will continue to work with counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government in progressing our Shared Island programmes to benefit everyone living on the island of Ireland.

“Today’s announcements affirm the Government’s strong commitment to engaging with all communities on the island to deepen connections, mutual understanding and reconciliation, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement”.