Huge boost for local tourism experience in Leitrim will 'help to attract more visitors, encourage longer stays'

Over €650,000 investment for Sligo and Leitrim has been announced for a local tourism experience Shared Island Coast-to-Coast Scheme. 

The funding will go towards supporting the development of high quality, immersive visitor experiences along the Wild Atlantic Way and strengthening the region’s tourism offering.

In Leitrim, The Rose of Innisfree project has been awarded €180,556 to upgrade the iconic boat experience with new audio-visual systems, electric engines and improved accessibility, enhancing visitor engagement with the landscape and stories of Lough Gill.

Meanwhile in Sligo, funding has been awarded to three flagship projects- Lough Gill Brewery will receive €112,000 to develop a new visitor centre celebrating Sligo’s craft brewing heritage through immersive and multilingual experiences. The Model – Home of the Niland Collection has been awarded €177,732 to deliver an innovative, immersive exhibition exploring the life and work of Jack Butler Yeats. The Yeats Society will receive €186,014 to transform the Yeats Building into a multi-sensory visitor experience, including a virtual reality tower room inspired by W.B. Yeats’ work.

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The Shared Island Coast-to-Coast Capital Investment Scheme forms part of the wider Shared Island Tourism Brand Collaboration Project, delivered by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, and is designed to enhance collaboration and economic opportunity across the island through tourism.

Minister Harkin said: “This is a very welcome investment in Sligo and Leitrim, amounting to over €650,000, which will have a real and lasting impact on our local tourism economy. These projects celebrate our unique cultural, literary and natural heritage while improving accessibility and the overall visitor experience.”

She added: “By investing in attractions rooted in place, storytelling and sustainability, this funding will help to attract more visitors, encourage longer stays and support jobs and enterprise across our communities. I commend the organisations involved for the ambition and quality of their proposals.”