Three Laois projects set to benefit from €5.5 million fund

THREE Laois projects are set to benefit from the latest €5.5 million tranche in the Fáilte Ireland Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, which has awarded funding to 17 different projects across eight counties ‒ Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Roscommon, Galway (Ballinasloe), Kildare (Athy, Clane-Maynooth) and Tipperary (Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles).

The funding comes from the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) programme, an EU-Ireland joint fund whose sole aim is to support the regions and communities of Europe that are likely to be most affected by the bloc-wide transition to climate neutrality. Ireland is due to have received up to €84.5 million from the fund by 2027. To date, almost €60 million has been invested in tourism projects across the midlands; in Laois, specifically, the Rock of Dunamase and Emo Court have benefited in previous years.

This year, Preston House secured €274,500 for the development of three new luxury, wellness-themed, sustainable accommodation units, which will be located in the wooded gardens behind the house; the Sportsman's Inn will use €42,840 to develop accessibility enhancements through the upgrade of four ensuite bedrooms and the development of accessible ensuite bathrooms, thereby making the gastropub entirely accessible on the ground floor; and the third tranche will also go to the Sportsman's Inn, with this batch of funding dedicated to the further development of accessibility changes on the ground floor, including the provision of accessible bathrooms, changing rooms, parking, signage, hearing aid amplifiers and staff training – €157,704.

In addition, Laois Co Council received €87,000 to conduct a feasibility study into developing Donaghmore Workhouse Museum into a premier visitor attraction and a further €9.4million was awarded to BnM (formerly Bord na Móna) to develop and begin delivery on a network of universally accessible trails across suitable parts of its landbank.

The scheme will also support 82 businesses participating in the Tourism Learning Network Programme, 66 participants in the Digital Transformation Programme and eight tourism activators ‒ one in each county that is applicable for the Just Transition Fund.

“These projects will deliver innovative visitor experiences and low-carbon accommodation across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East, helping to sustain local communities and create new opportunities for employment,’’ CEO OF Fáilte Ireland Caroline Bocquel said.