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Earlier this week Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and Tánaiste Simon Harris announced that the Government has made allocations from the Shared Island Fund of over €50 million for a series of new programmes to be delivered over the next five years.
Locally the currently under construction Narrow Water Bridge has been a big recipient of funding and in the next stage the Irish Government has announced that they are now supporting Tourism Agencies and Local Authorities to collaboratively develop the tourism opportunities this will bring for Carlingford Lough and the surrounding region.
Plans to develop tourism in Carlingford Lough area will include a network of trailheads, trails and water access points across the region, and increasing connectivity between tourism assets, complemented by delivery of a Destination Experience Strategy to promote the region. The investment will harness the benefits of the Narrow Water Bridge as a lynchpin for sustainable tourism and recreation activity around the whole Carlingford Lough area.
Newry is perfectly situated to benefit from these developments being a major centre of population in the area.
Speaking following the announcement Taoiseach Micheál Martin, said: “The Government, through the Shared Island initiative, is moving forward with the task of building a lasting reconciliation for all communities on the island of Ireland.
“We have committed an additional €1 billion to our Shared Island Fund out to 2035 and today made a first set of allocations to enhance the whole island and strengthen connections between people.
“The Shared Island funding will enable multi-annual investment programmes on sustainable tourism; arts and cultural heritage; civic society cooperation; and nature restoration.
“With the iconic Narrow Water Bridge under construction, we are now supporting Tourism Agencies and Local Authorities to collaboratively develop the tourism opportunities this will bring for Carlingford Lough and the surrounding region."
The Taoiseach added “We are in addition funding the development and delivery of a series of major, new cross-border cooperative programmes on arts and cultural heritage, and new nature restoration schemes to be undertaken by communities North and South, to conserve and protect our island’s biodiversity in critical areas.
“Our Shared Island Civic Society Fund is also being continued and increased, to support new and broader civil society partnerships right across the island.
“All of these programmes are now resourced to proceed in the years ahead, working through all-island partnerships. This is only the beginning of what we will achieve through the more resourced Shared Island Initiative in the time ahead. The Government will continue to deepen our Good Friday Agreement partnerships - with the Northern Ireland Executive and with the UK Government - and work every day for reconciliation of the different traditions of our shared island.”
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, said: “I am particularly pleased that we are increasing the funding for my Department’s Shared Island Civic Society Fund, after a successful first phase during which €3million in funding went to over 100 projects across a range of sectors. With €6million now confirmed for 2025-2027, this will enable us to assist more organisations in developing important cross-border partnerships.
“Such partnerships are a vital component of a truly shared island, with people-to-people connections forming the heartbeat of our shared future. It is important, that we continue support organisations in all parts of the island that are doing so much good work in bringing people and communities together."
Notes for Editors:
Shared Island Initiative:
The Programme for Government Securing Ireland’s Future affirms the Government’s commitment to the Good Friday Agreement as the blueprint for unlocking the full potential of the island and sets out significant commitments and an ambitious agenda for building our shared island. This is supported by the continuation and increasing of the Shared Island Fund by a further €1 billion out to 2035 to foster reconciliation, mutual respect and growth.
Shared Island Fund allocations are made by the Government for Ministers to take forward investment projects and cooperation programmes that implement Programme for Government and National Development Plan objectives on Shared Island, working with Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government counterparts, and with local authority, education institution and civil society partners across the island. Further information on the Shared Island Initiative, including previous allocations from the Government’s Shared Island Fund, is available at www.gov.ie/sharedisland.
The Funding
Tourism Shared Destinations - up to €23m (2025-2030)
Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland will work in partnership with local authorities to develop sustainable tourism amenities across the border region:
Carlingford Lough: Delivering a network of trailheads, trails and water access points across the region, and increasing connectivity between tourism assets, complemented by delivery of a Destination Experience Strategy to promote the region. The investment will harness the benefits of the Narrow Water Bridge as a lynchpin for sustainable tourism and recreation activity around the whole Carlingford Lough area.
Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark: Developing the trail network to link existing trails North and South of the border; enhancing and further linking the regional tourism offering at Cuilcagh and the wider cross-border UNESCO Global Geopark. Trail development will provide connectivity between the Marble Arch Caves, Cuilcagh Boardwalk and on to Cavan Burren Park and include interpretation, wayfinding and infrastructure, including a community-based interpretative centre at Glangevlin village.
Sliabh Beagh: Developing extensive connected walking, cycling, equestrian cross-border trails around Sliabh Beagh Mountain along the border, with the inclusion of trailheads and gateways. Trail development will also include interpretation, wayfinding and other facility development.
International Marketing and Development Programme: With Tourism Ireland and Shared Island Fund resourcing, marketing campaigns for each shared destination, including an industry development programme, will be developed and delivered over 2025-2030, to maximise the economic impact for each region.
Confirmed terms of reference for each project will be progressed by the Tourism Agencies for approval by the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment in consultation with the Northern Ireland Minister for Economy. All project elements will be progressed in cooperation with relevant Departments and Agencies, North and South.
The Shared Destinations programme will contribute to all-island cooperation on Tourism through the North South Ministerial Council and build on the success of the Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route brand alignment project delivered by Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland supported through the Shared Island Fund.
Nature restoration and biodiversity - up to €10m over 5 years (2025-2030):
A Shared Island Fund allocation of €10 million will enable the 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.
Building on the successful Natura Communities project, delivered in the North West by the NPWS with community and regional partners, the expanded programme will work with local authorities and communities to:
deliver and foster community-led action on nature restoration of wetlands and other ecosystems including coastal habitats; build capacity for long-term wetland management; support locally-based training and employment opportunities in nature restoration; and, enable community participation, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing.
The programme will also include development of lighthouse sites North and South to develop and demonstrate multi-dimensional wetland restoration that delivers social and environmental returns.
The programme is to achieve restoration of 2,000 ha of wetlands and other ecosystems within and adjacent to protected sites over 2025 to 2030, with a balanced spread of resourcing and impact, North and South. Cooperation with Scottish partners may also form part of the approach.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service and Northern Ireland Environment Agency will agree a work plan, for approval by Government and Executive Ministers as needed.
The nature restoration programme will build on the Shared Island biodiversity actions on peatland restoration and biosecurity which are being successfully taking forward by the NPWS, working with partners in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Arts and Cultural Heritage - up to €20m over 5 years (2025-2030):
The Government will make an overall Shared Island Fund allocation of €20m to support the development and delivery of a series of new Arts and Cultural Heritage programmes over 2025-2030 to deepen cultural cooperation, exchange and understanding.
New programmes are to be prepared and brought forward, supporting new collaborative cross-border performance, production, and cultural exhibitions, including through:
National Cultural Institution cooperation;
Touring and productions across the island of Ireland and internationally;
Screen sector and cultural asset digitisation cooperation;
Irish language and Ulster Scots language, culture and heritage.
Programmes will be further developed by relevant Departments in cooperation with Executive and UK Government counterparts.
Civic Society Fund - €6m (2025 - 2027):
The Shared Island Civic Society Fund will be continued for a second phase, with increased resourcing, to support stronger island-wide societal connection, cooperation and mutual understanding.
The Civic Society Fund will be €6m over 2025-2027, with a €4m contribution from the Shared Island Fund and €2m from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Shared Island Civic Society Fund has so far awarded grant funding of €2 million to promote practical North-South cooperation and engagement through civic society groups across the island. Projects that have East-West as well as North-South dimensions are welcomed.
Further information is available at: Shared Island Civic Society Fund
