Two ‘undiscovered’ Kilkenny towns to receive €500,000 tourism funding boost

TWO “undiscovered” county Kilkenny towns are set to receive up to €500,000 in funding to boost their tourist potential.

Kilkenny County Council has been given the green light to bid for funding to develop towns that have the potential to become a ‘destination town’ for visitors.

A total of 62 towns across the country will share a €15.5m fund to boost tourism under a significant nationwide investment announced by Fáilte Ireland today.

Under the scheme, every local authority in the country will be able to bid for funding of between €250,000 and €500,000 to develop up to two towns in their area.

Minister of State for Tourism Brendan Griffin is briefing officials from Kilkenny County Council and other local authorities on the new investment scheme at an event in Dublin today.

Mr Griffin said the cash would provide a “significant boost” for towns.

“This scheme is a great opportunity for towns which aren’t fully active in the tourism industry to look at how their local economy can benefit from increased tourism activity,” he said.

Fáilte Ireland CEO Paul Kelly added: “There is an undiscovered Ireland, both in places already well established and in those off the beaten track.

“In Fáilte Ireland, as the national tourism development authority, our job is to give thought leadership and to offer practical assistance to ensure our tourism industry is authentically in sync with who we are.

“It is to support communities of people and places, where and how they want to live, by diversifying tourism regionally and seasonally.”