The first round of €32m in grants has been approved by Thierry Breton internal market commissionerunder the EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme
Ireland is set to receive up to €84.5m from the EU Just Transition Fund up to 2027
Funding includes a €5.5m Digital Transformation Programme and €23.5m investment spread across 22 projects
Projects funded under the scheme aim to support sustainable economic development and job creation in the Midlands region, while transitioning towards a low-carbon economy.
It includes 79km of new walking and cycling trails, across suitable parts of the Bord na Móna landbank:
- Longford – between Lanesborough and Cloondara
- Roscommon – between Termonbarry and Roosky
- Westmeath – between Athlone and Ballinahown
- Offaly East – between Grand Canal Greenway and Mount Lucas
- Offaly West – around Clonmacnoise, Ballinahown and Lough Boora
- Tipperary – between Littleton/Lough Doire Bhuile
Funding includes
- €7.8m for the redevelopment of the visitor centre at Clonmacnoise in Co Offaly,
- €3.2m for the delivery of interpretation and visitor facilities at Athlone Castle in Co Westmeath,
- €2.7m for the redevelopment and regeneration of Emily Square in Athy town in Co Kildare,
- €2.97m for the upgrade and introduction of new exhibitions at Roscrea Castle in Co Tipperary and over
- €1.85m for increased capacity and range of activities for Lough Key Forest Park in Co Roscommon.
The first projects approved for investment under this Scheme are below, with further projects expected to be announced in the coming weeks:
- Galway: Battle of Aughrim Visitor Centre Feasibility, concept development and detailed design for the enhancement of the visitor experience €103,200
- Kildare: Donadea Forest Park Creation of a visitor masterplan for the Forest Park €67,650
- Kildare: Emily Square Urban Renewal Redevelopment and regeneration of Emily Square at the heart of Athy Town €2,735,425
- Laois: Emo Court Options study for the development of Emo Court and Estate €187,500
- Laois: Rock of Dunamase Delivery of enhancements to the visitor experience at the Rock of Dunamase thorough delivery of carpark, facilities, and interpretation €1,796,592
- Longford, Westmeath, and Kildare: Royal Canal Greenway Delivery of the Royal Canal Greenway visitor experience development, including, Greenway animation and interpretation €487,500
- Longford: Clondra to Termonbarry cycleway scheme Feasibility to assess linking Clondra and Termonbarry through an off-road cyclepath €84,000
- Longford: Clondra Village Enhancements Delivery of enhancements to the public realm and outdoor visitor facilities in Clondra village and provide better connection with neighbouring Termonbarry through safer cycling and walking routes. €370,000
- Longford: Corlea Iron Age Roadway & Visitor Centre Options study to improve the visitor experience at Corlea Visitor Centre including conservation and presentation options for the Iron Age Roadway €262,500
- Longford: Lanesborough Amphitheatre Detailed design and planning for the development of Lanesborough Amphitheatre €150,000
- Offaly: Birr Destination Town Plus Delivery of enhanced paving at William Street improving the linkages to the Castle Demesne and town centre €188,183
- Offaly: Clonmacnoise Redevelopment of the visitor centre at Clonmacnoise, including refurbishment and extension of buildings to enhance the experience for visitors €7,800,000
- Offaly: Shannonbridge Marina Expansion of the capacity of the marina at Shannonbridge. €150,000
- Offaly: Shannonbridge Plaza and Shannon Callows Reserve Walkway Detailed design and planning for a central plaza and walkway €218,275
- Roscommon: Lough Key Forest Park Detailed design and planning for increased capacity and range of activities to realise ambitious strategy and masterplan objectives for Lough Key Forest Park €1,185,712
- Tipperary: Carrick-on-Suir Riverside Regeneration Feasibility, concept development and detailed design and planning to link the town centre with the riverside enhancing the visitor experience. €185,027
- Tipperary: Castle Street, Roscrea Detailed design and planning for the regeneration of Castle Street €581,687
- Tipperary: Roscrea Castle Delivery of interpretation upgrade and introduction of new exhibitions within Roscrea Castle, Damer House, Heritage Centre, and landscaping works to the castle courtyard and garden €2,976,548
- Westmeath: Athlone Castle Delivery of interpretation, facilities, and visitor journey enhancements throughout Athlone Castle Westmeath County Council
- Westmeath: Athlone Town Centre Detailed design and planning of Boardwalk and Outdoor Urban Swimming Pool in Athlone Town Centre €561,803
- Westmeath: Belvedere House, Gardens and Park Visitor experience masterplan development for Belvedere House, Gardens and Park €187,500
