Close to €400,000 in funding has been awarded to three projects in Laois under Failte Ireland’s EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme for the Midlands.
Fáilte Ireland announced almost €3.6 million in funding for 24 projects under its Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs.
The three tourism operators in Laois included among the successful applicants are Rectory Park, Emo; Brielle House, Mountmellick; and Ballykilcavan Brewery, Stradbally.
Theses three projects have been awarded a combined total of €384,256 “to support the development and enhancement of their tourism offerings.”
€300,000 was awarded to Rectory Park for the development of two two-bedroom cottages with sensory rooms, “offering a destination for many families to enjoy a holiday together in a safe and inviting space while exploring key attractions in County Laois.”
Brielle House was awarded €66,000 to enhance visitor experience with improvements including a resurfaced car park, bedroom upgrades and more, “to further enhance an already thriving self-catering business.”
There was also €18,256 for a commercial kitchen at Ballykilcavan Brewery as well as upgrades to the visitor centre, to “further expand the current offering for one of our key sustainable tourism attractions in the county.”
This brings the total investment in Private and SME capital project development in County Laois to date to over €1.5 million.
This funding is part of a broader initiative under the EU Just Transition Fund aimed at “supporting businesses that are committed to sustainable practices, economic diversification, and contributing to the green transition in Ireland.”
The fund supports initiatives that promote environmental conservation, reduce carbon footprints, and generate employment in green industries.
Evelyn Reddin, Head of Local Enterprise Office Laois at Laois County Council said the funding allocated to Laois projects “is a testament to the exceptional work by businesses across the county.”
Ms Reddin said these businesses “continually strengthen the sustainable tourism industry and incentivise more visitors to pick Laois as their destination of choice.”
Regina Dunne, EU Just Transition Fund Tourism Activator in Laois said: “The funding for these projects will further enhance the offering available to tourists in County Laois, providing for sustainable and inclusive visitor needs.
“With a growing number of visitors requiring some form of accessibility requirements, the funding for these projects ensure we are meeting the growing demand.”
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