Minister of State Joe McHugh TD announces Údarás na Gaeltachta’s support for strategic tourism initiative at Fanad Light House
Joe McHugh, TD Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands announced Údarás na Gaeltachta’s support for the Fanad Light House Initiative today (23/3/18). Under the Tourism Management Development Scheme approved by the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta in June 2017 support has been approved for Fanad Light House to provide this strategic tourism initiative with the assistance to develop and market the product and tourism experience available at the Light House and on the Fánaid peninsula. The support entails a total grant assistance of €60,000 over a period of two years and the initiative hopes to recruit a tourism officer which will help build on the excellent work already done in Fánaid.
“Fanad Light House is very close to my heart and is now one of the country’s main tourist destinations. It is renowned worldwide and is a wonderful place to visit."
Joe McHugh, TD Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands
Within a very short period of time, Fanad Light House has become one of the main tourism emblems not only for the Donegal Gaeltacht and County Donegal but also for the Wild Atlantic Way.
Gaeltacht strategic tourism initiatives were invited to apply to the Tourism Management Development Scheme at the end of last year. A formal training programme will be developed for the appointees in association with third level institutions. One of the scheme’s aims is to improve the management, marketing and operational skills in the cultural tourism sector so as to add to the number of excellent tourism products available in Gaeltacht areas.
Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh, TD said “Fanad Light House is very close to my heart and is now one of the country’s main tourist destinations. It is renowned worldwide and is a wonderful place to visit. These types of initiatives will encourage tourists to visit Gaeltacht areas and I welcome the support Údarás na Gaeltachta is providing for strategic tourism initiatives in all Gaeltacht areas.”
Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Chief Executive Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh also commented, “We are pleased to be able to support this wonderful tourism initiative and help them build on the fantastic work carried out by Donegal County Council and Fáilte Ireland in developing this amenity. Tourism development is a central part of Údarás na Gaeltachta’s strategy over the next three years and we are delighted to work in partnership with Local Authorities, Fáilte Ireland and other organisations in developing these valuable assets in all Gaeltacht areas.”