Údarás na Gaeltachta welcome €1.87m in RRDF funding for Major Tourism Project on Erris Peninsula
Údarás na Gaeltachta welcomes the announcement by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring T.D., today (06/11/2019) that capital funding in excess of €1.87m has been approved for Údarás na Gaeltachta to develop a major tourism hub in Eachléim in the North Mayo Gaeltacht.
‘Áras Scéalta an Atlantaigh’ mar phríomh ionad treoraithe ag cuairteoirí ar Leithinis Iorrais i nGaeltacht Mhaigh Eo Thuaidh áit a bhfaighidh siad gach eolas ar oidhreacht nádúrtha agus cultúrtha an cheantair.
Áras Scéalta an Atlantaigh will act as a major tourism hub on the Erris Peninsula and as an orientation point for visitors to learn about the cultural and natural heritage attractions in the area. It is predicted that tours of Blacksod Lighthouse and other tours of the area will be at the top of the wishlist for thousands of visitors when the new hub in an Eachléim is up and running. Another exciting part of the project is the provision or 4 craft units and 4 tourism incubation spaces which will significantly add to the sustainable economic and social development of this picturesque rural area.
The project costs are estimated at €2.5m in total with funding approved at a level of 75% from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the balance from Údarás na Gaeltachta. This innovative project includes a 600m2 expansion of the current Ionad Deirbhile – a tourism and heritage centre developed by Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile with the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The expanded centre will exhibit three core themes – Gaeltacht Life, Marine Life and the Local Environment and will be linked to the development of coastal walks, Inis Gé Islands, the Tuke Emigration Scheme and the area’s Lighthouses.
Micheál Ó hÉanaigh, Údarás na Gaeltachta CEO, said “We heartily welcome this capital funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development for the implementation of this major tourism project for the Erris Peninsula. Áras Scéalta an Atlantaigh will act as a beacon to display the excellence of the tourism offering in the Mayo Gaeltacht and to give visitors the opportunity of touring Balcksod Lighthouse and other local lighthouses for the first time. Cultural tourism is central to this project and the best of tourism products and craft will be created due to this new facility.
This is a significant boost to the Eachléim community and the surrounding Gaeltacht areas and it is hoped that it will benefit them for many years to come with the support of the funding approved under the RRDF fund today. Údarás na Gaeltachta have identified strategic tourism projects within the Gaeltacht alongside the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht which we hope to develop in the years ahead and today’s announcement is a significant step in achieving that strategy.”