Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris have announced more than €50 million from the Shared Island Fund is to be distributed to projects promoting sustainable tourism, arts and culture across the island of Ireland.
Nearly half of the money, up to €23 million, will go to developing tourism including at Carlingford Lough, Sliabh Beagh and Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark. The Geopark is a UNESCO listed area on the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The money there will be used enhance the trail network, linking attractions on both sides of the border, including the Marble Arch Caves and Cavan Burren Park.
New amenities and promotion of the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark and the Sliabh Beagh region aims to bring in more tourists and generate more money for the local economy.
“We are investing in new amenities and promotion of the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark so that more people from home and abroad will visit and enjoy these spectacular destinations,” said Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
The Programme for Government last month committed Ireland to investing a further €1 billion in the Shared Island Fund up to 2035. The fund aims to “foster reconciliation, mutual respect and growth”, according to the government.
Between 2025 to 2030, up to €20 million will be spent on new cultural projects.
“New programmes are to be prepared and brought forward, supporting new collaborative cross-border performance, production, and cultural exhibitions”, the government says.
Projects will be developed in cooperation with Northern Ireland including encouraging touring artists, the film sector and digital. There is also a commitment to Irish language and Ulster Scots language culture and heritage.
A further €10 million is being allocated for nature restoration schemes between 2025 and 2030.
The government says the money will allow “National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), working with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to develop and take forward a new island-wide nature restoration and biodiversity programme.”
“Today’s Shared Ireland announcements – on sustainable tourism, arts and cultural heritage, civic society cooperation and nature restoration – will enhance the communities in which people live and work and further empower them to connect with people living elsewhere on this island”, said Tánaiste Simon Harris.
The funding “affirm the Government’s strong commitment to engaging with all communities on the island to deepen connections, mutual understanding and reconciliation, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement”, he added.