Exciting Longford tourism projects approved for major investment

A number of exciting Longford tourism projects, including Clondra Village Enhancements, Corlea Iron Age Roadway & Visitor Centre, Lanesboro Amphitheatre and the Royal Canal Greenway visitor experience, have been approved for investment under the EU Just Transition Fund which are being delivered as part of its Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme 2023-2026, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU. 

22 projects, in the eight counties in the EU Just Transition Fund geographic territory, are to receive €27.1million investment grant-aid in first round of investment approval, while 85 tourism businesses will participate in a €5.5million Digital Transformation Programme. 

Funding scheme for Private and Community SMEs will close for expressions of interest on June 30, 2024.

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The projects include walking and cycling trails on former industrial peatlands, and investment in Local Authority and State Agency tourism and visitor experience projects. 

Local Authority and State Agency Schemes 

Working closely with Local Authorities and state agencies including the OPW, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Housing, Waterways Ireland and Coillte, Fáilte Ireland has approved investment for €23.5million to deliver improved tourism infrastructure, facilities and visitor experiences, including those that can be leveraged by the private and community sectors. 

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The projects focus on the areas of Visitor Experience Improvement, Digital Transformation, Digital User Experience, Accessibility and Sustainability and Regenerative Tourism.    

€370,000  - Clondra Village Enhancements: Delivery of enhancements to the public realm and outdoor visitor facilities in Clondra village and provide better connection with neighbouring Tarmonbarry through safer cycling and walking routes. 

€262,500 - Corlea Iron Age Roadway & Visitor Centre (Office of Public Works): Options study to improve the visitor experience at Corlea Visitor Centre including conservation and presentation options for the Iron Age Roadway

€150,000 - Lanesboro Amphitheatre: Detailed design and planning for the development of Lanesboro Amphitheatre

€84,000 - Clondra to Tarmonbarry cycleway scheme: Feasibility to assess linking Clondra and Tarmonbarry through an off-road cyclepath 

€487,500 - Longford, Westmeath and Kildare: Royal Canal Greenway (Waterways Ireland): Delivery of the Royal Canal Greenway visitor experience development, including, Greenway animation and interpretation 

Trail Development Scheme 

As a beneficiary of the Trail Development element of the Scheme, Bord na Móna has been awarded €3.6million towards the creation of up to 79km* of new walking and cycling trails, across suitable parts of the Bord na Móna landbank in the following areas:

• Longford - between Lanesboro and Cloondara
• Roscommon - between Tarmonbarry and Roosky
• Westmeath – between Athlone and Ballinahown
• Offaly East – between Grand Canal Greenway and Mount Lucas
• Offaly West – around Clonmacnois, Ballinahown and Lough Boora
• Tipperary - between Littleton/Lough Doire Bhuile 

The trail development network focuses on developing and repurposing former industrial peatlands to support a network of universally accessible cyclable and walkable trails that will add to, and connect with, existing trails. The ambition for this connected trail network will be to firmly establish the Midlands as a compelling destination for outdoor activities, supporting the creation of new jobs in ancillary and related activities, connecting back into towns and villages. Following the successful completion of the planning process for these trails, Bord na Móna will apply for funding for their construction.

Welcoming the announcement, Head of Land & Habitats at Bord na Móna, Ger Breen said: “Bord na Móna is pleased to be a beneficiary of Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. The sites selected for these trails will deliver benefits for the wider community through developing new trails across the Bord na Móna landbank as well as connecting up existing trails as part of the trail development network. This will give the local community as well as visitors better connectivity between the trails and the surrounding towns, villages, visitor experiences and future developments. We look forward to working with our partners in Fáilte Ireland, and the Local Authorities in Offaly, Longford, Roscommon, Westmeath and Tipperary in delivering these trails.” 

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Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD, said: “I am pleased to see the first announcement of investment in projects by Fáilte Ireland under the EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. These projects mark the first steps in the regenerative tourism development journey in the Midlands, and we are pleased to work with our colleagues in the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to deliver on government climate action goals through the EU Just Transition Fund. The projects funded support our move as a nation towards a low-carbon economy, in line with the Programme for Government commitment for the development of a Sustainable Tourism Policy, which will support sustainable economic development and job creation. We’re already seeing a significant impact in the Midlands as all counties within the region have been represented across these approved investments in projects, with more to come.” 

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Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan TD said: “Today marks a significant milestone in the green transition as Fáilte Ireland announces the first projects under the EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme targeted at the Midlands Region. This initiative, co-funded by the Government and the European Union not only provides new employment and economic opportunities for communities and businesses in the Midlands but also helps protect biodiversity, supporting a greener, more sustainable, and low-carbon future. I look forward to the delivery of these projects and to their positive impact on the Midlands Region." 

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Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland Barbara Nolan added: “Ireland can be at the forefront of the EU’s efforts to diversify its economy towards greener and more progressive industries, helping to achieve the EU’s Green Deal goals. One of the objectives of the EU’s Just Transition Fund is to support Ireland’s Midlands to further develop the potential of the local economy. Investing in sustainable tourism will not only generate local jobs but is also a step further in positioning the Midlands as an attractive tourist destination in the heart of Ireland.” 

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CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Paul Kelly said:  “Today, we are pleased to announce our initial investment grants for projects under our Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking scheme, which is just the beginning of our EU Just Transition journey for Ireland’s Midlands. 

"These transformative projects, spanning the entire region, will create more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East, generating new opportunities for employment, empowering local businesses, and enhancing local communities, while strengthening the appeal of the Midlands as a tourist destination for generations to come. With further investment in projects to be announced over the coming months, this is a very exciting time for the Midlands. 

We look forward to further collaboration with local tourism businesses and communities, the Eastern and Midland Regional Authority (EMRA), Bord na Móna, Local Authorities, and our strategic partners including the Office of Public Works, the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, Waterways Ireland, and Coillte to deliver these projects and more under this scheme across the next two years." 

Acting Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) Clare Bannon said:  “EMRA, as the Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, welcomes the announcement of this group of projects that underline the significant opportunities arising from investment in tourism for bolstering placemaking through enhanced amenities and capacity building. Tourism plays a pivotal role in diversifying income streams and enhancing employment prospects that are intricately tied to our local assets. By investing in tourism, we not only open doors to increased recreational activities but also contribute to the preservation of environmental quality, fostering sustainable growth and prosperity for our community.”