Leading Laois attractions secure almost €2 million in funding

Almost €2 million in funding has been announced for improvements at two of the top tourist attractions in Laois. 

The majority of the funding delivered in Laois under Fáilte Ireland’s EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme for Laois is to be spent improving the visitor experience at The Rock of Dunamase.

In total Laois County Council has been allocated €1,796,592 to improve the visitor experience through the delivery of carpark, facilities and interpretation at the Rock of Dunamase.

Following the allocation, Laois County Council's Head of Finance Gerry Murphy explained where the funding was to be spent.

“This is for enhancements to the visitor experience at the Rock of Dunamase through the delivery of parking facilities on lands owned by Laois County Council adjacent to the Rock of Dunamase, improvements to the adjoining roads and interpretation,” he stated. 

Meanwhile, €187,500 has been allocated to the Office of Public Works for an options study for the development of the immensely popular Emo Court and Estate.

Laois Minister for State in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sean Fleming welcomed the allocation. 

“On behalf of the Government, I am pleased to announce this funding for the Rock of Dunamase and for Emo Court, for these two very important projects in County Laois.

These are landmark national sites here in Laois, which are known throughout the country and internationally.

The Rock of Dunamase and Emo Court both have a lot of historical significance for Laois, the Midlands and for the country.

Everybody knows that the Rock of Dunamase needs better facilities, especially in car parking. This funding will support this and make this historical site more accessible for people to visit.

This is very good news for Laois, all surrounding areas and tourists who will be able to visit this site with ease when the works are completed,” said Minister Fleming. 

He said he looks forward to the delivery of the projects by Laois County Council at the Rock of Dunamase and by the OPW at Emo Court, as soon as possible.

Over €32 million in funding was announced for different projects Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath , Galway, Kildare and Tipperary.

Fáilte Ireland announced the first round of approved investment grants for projects 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.

A total of eight 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,

Fáilte Ireland also announced the inclusion of up to 85 tourism enterprises in its EU Just Transition Digital Transformation Programme which is valued at up to €5.5million. Bord na Móna has been awarded €3.6million towards the creation of up to 79km of new walking and cycling trails. 

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin, said: “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.”

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan 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."

CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Paul Kelly also welcomed the funding. 

"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," he said.