Funding of €19 million will be used to build “world-class” facilities at 22 locations across the country where water-based activities are a key visitor attraction.
Tourism Minister Catherine Martin and Fáilte Ireland today (Thursday 15 April) launched the investment to meet what they have identified as a growing demand for activities such as kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and open-water swimming.
It’s envisaged that centres will provide hot showers, changing and toilet facilities, secure storage, induction spaces, equipment wash-down and orientation points.
They will be fully wheelchair accessible and built using sustainability best practices such as solar heating panels to meet the Nearly Zero Energy Building Standard.
Developed in partnership between Fáilte Ireland and Local Authorities, the investment scheme also aims to support the local economy and the outdoor activity sector “by significantly enhancing the overall visitor experience, providing new business opportunities in local communities and allowing for the extension of the tourism season beyond the traditional summer months”.
This first phase of the scheme has a completion deadline of summer 2022. It’s expected to be followed by a second phase in 2023 under Fáilte Ireland’s Platforms for Growth capital investment programme.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Martin said: “Ireland is world-class when it comes to providing water-based activities which are enjoyed by local communities and visitors along our stunning coastline, rivers and lakes.
“We’ve seen a significant upward trend in people enjoying outdoor water activities over the last year and we know the appeal of the outdoors will continue to grow post-COVID-19 so we must ensure the Irish experience meets and exceeds visitor expectations.
“The scale of the investment I am announcing today with Fáilte Ireland will have a key role in Ireland’s recovery. It will support the local economy and the outdoor water-based activity sector by significantly improving the overall visitor experience, providing new business and job opportunities in local communities, particularly in rural areas and allowing for an extension of the traditional tourism season beyond the summer months.
“It is also important to note that the facility centres will be sustainable, accessible and integrate into the natural environment of their locations.”
The 22 locations earmarked for new facilities under this scheme are as follows:
- Dublin: Docklands Water Sports, North Wall Quay; DLRCC Killiney Beach Facilities Project, Killiney.
- Wexford: Curracloe Water Sports Activity Centre.
- Waterford: Tramore Water-Sports Activity Facility Centre; Ardmore Water-Sports Activity Facility Centre.
- Kilkenny: Kilkenny Water Sports Hub, County Hall, John Street.
- Tipperary: Dromineer Sports Activity Facility, Nenagh.
- Cork: Claycastle Sports Activity Facility, Youghal; GarryLucas Beach, Ballinspittle.
- Kerry: Ballybunion Beach Shared Facilities Centre, Men’s (South) Beach, Ballybunion; Fenit Beach Shared Facility Centre, Fenit Beach; Magherabeg Shared Facilities Centre, Castlegregory.
- Clare: Ballycuggeran Sports Activity Facility, Killaloe; Kilkee Waterworld Activity Facilities, Waterworld, Kilkee.
- Galway: Corrib Sports & Adventure, Terryland.
- Mayo: Keel Facility Centre for Water Sports Activities, Achill Island; Carrowmore Beach, Louisburg.
- Sligo: Enniscrone Beach; Rosses Point.
- Leitrim: Acres Lake Activity Facility, Drumshambo.
- Donegal: Tullan Strand Centre for Water Sports Activities, Bundoran; Downings Water Sports Activity Facility, Na Dunaibh.