Failte Ireland funding for Donadea Forest Park and Emily Square, Athy

Failte Ireland has granted funding of €2,735,425 for the redevelopment and regeneration of Emily Square in Athy and  €67,650 for a Visitor masterplan for Donadea Forest Park.

The projects are among 22 nationwide which have received total grants of €27.1m under Failte Ireland’s EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme.

Fine Gael Kildare South TD and Minister, Martin Heydon said: “This funding [for Emily Square], which is co-funded by the Government and the EU will allow Kildare County Council proceed with their ambitious plans to redevelop Emily Square.

 “The upgrade and enhancement of Emily Square has been a long held ambition. With the current €6.9m Government funded development of Shackleton Museum continuing apace, the next challenge was to secure funding to deliver a greatly enhanced Emily Square. This allocation of €2,735,425 for the redevelopment and regeneration of Emily Square is a vital investment that will make Athy an even better place to live, work and visit.

“Coupled with the delivery of the multi million euro Athy Distributor Road along with the Food and Drinks hub under construction there is no doubt of the state backed investment in South Kildare that will make a very positive impact on people’s lives.

“Todays announcement also includes a €67,650 for a Visitor masterplan to be delivered for Donadea Forest Park”, concluded Minister Heydon.

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan TD 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. I look forward to the delivery of these projects and to their positive impact on the Midlands Region." 

Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland Barbara Nolan added: “Ireland can be at the forefront of the EU’s efforts to diversify its economy towards greener and more progressive industries, helping to achieve the EU’s Green Deal goals. One of the objectives of the EU’s Just Transition Fund is to support Ireland’s Midlands to further develop the potential of the local economy. Investing in sustainable tourism will not only generate local jobs but is also a step further in positioning the Midlands as an attractive tourist destination in the heart of Ireland.” 

CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Paul Kelly said:  “Today, we are pleased to announce our initial investment grants for projects under our Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking scheme, which is just the beginning of our EU Just Transition journey for Ireland’s Midlands. 

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." 

Acting Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) Clare Bannon said:  “EMRA, as the Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, welcomes the announcement of this group of projects that underline the significant opportunities arising from investment in tourism for bolstering placemaking through enhanced amenities and capacity building. Tourism plays a pivotal role in diversifying income streams and enhancing employment prospects that are intricately tied to our local assets. By investing in tourism, we not only open doors to increased recreational activities but also contribute to the preservation of environmental quality, fostering sustainable growth and prosperity for our community.”