Office of Public Works announces funding to enhance Visitor Experience at four OPW sites in Irelands Hidden Heartlands

• projects to receive €11.2 million investment from Fáilte Ireland Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, part of the EU Just Transition Fund
• Clonmacnoise, Corlea Trackway, Emo Court and Roscrea Castle

The Office of Public Works (OPW) welcomes the Just Transition funding to develop four OPW sites: Clonmacnoise, Corlea Trackway, Emo Court and Roscrea Castle. These projects have been awarded €11.2 million through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, co-funded by the EU and the Government of Ireland under the EU Just Transition fund.

In keeping with the OPW’s vision for a sustainable and universally accessible future for the State’s heritage sites these projects will see:

• Clonmacnoise – A €7.8 million investment in the redevelopment and expansion of the existing visitor centre to transform the visitor facilities and bring the building up to the OPW’s modern energy and sustainability standards
• Corlea Trackway & Visitor Centre – €262k for the development of a feasibility project exploring the sustainable development of the project and its interactions with the wider destination including developments along the canals and the neighbouring peatlands
• Emo Court – €187k towards the development of a site assessment to review national and international best practice and prepare site development plan, building on the conservation management plan of the site, which can act as a road map for the future potential development of key activities and visitor experiences
• Roscrea Castle & Damer House – A €2.97 million investment in the development of accessible visitor services, improved visitor interpretation experiences, and improvements to the courtyard and garden facilities at the site

This funding will help in the development of these sites, to provide a world class visitor experience, provide further accessibility to the sites and drive tourism in the midlands area.

This project is among the first round of approved investment grants for projects announced by Fáilte Ireland that are being delivered as part of its Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, under the EU Just Transition Fund.

Kieran O’ Donnell, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) stated:

>"I am delighted to announce the allocation of funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme that will see four of our OPW sites improve their existing facilities and enhance visitor experiences. The identified locations, situated in Irelands Hidden Heartlands, include Clonmacnoise, Corlea Trackway, Emo Court and Roscrea Castle.

>"This exciting initiative will not only generate employment during the construction stage in each of these locations but will also provide exciting career opportunities for those interested in starting a career with OPW. I am pleased that this funding allocation will allow us to invest in these locations, each with their own unique history, preserving our heritage and encouraging tourism in Irelands Hidden Heartlands."

Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme aims to transform tourism across eight counties in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East by diversifying the local economy and providing new employment opportunities for workers and communities that were heavily dependent on peat. The scheme will develop the midlands into a leading regenerative tourism destination, creating more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit the Midlands while also sustaining jobs, businesses and local communities in the region. It will also support the transition of the Midlands to a carbon neutral destination through funding of sustainable tourism projects that are designed to have significant regenerative impacts on local communities and peatlands.

If you would like to speak with a nominated spokesperson on the announcement, please contact pressoffice@opw.ie to arrange.

For further information, please contact pressoffice@opw.ie

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EU Just Transition Fund

The EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) is a new fund created to support the regions and communities in Europe that are most negatively affected by the transition to climate neutrality and to promote socio-economic transition, ensuring that no one is left behind.

The EU JTF aims to address employment, economic, social and environmental impacts that come with the shift away from carbon-intense activities. The funding programme in Ireland will support the areas in the wider Midlands where communities have been negatively affected by the closure of peat production and peat-fired energy generation facilities.

Ireland is set to receive up to €84.5 million from the EU Just Transition Fund over the period to 2027. With the Government of Ireland’s match funding using Exchequer resources, up to €169 million will be available in the period up to 2027.

Investment through the EU Just Transition Fund programme will be targeted to support the diversification of local economies and the creation of new opportunities that complement the assets of the territory. The fund will also restore degraded peatlands and regenerate industrial heritage assets, as well as invest in smart and sustainable local mobility so that local communities are able to benefit from the economic opportunities and amenities.

Full details on the programme and its strategic priorities can be found at EU Just Transition Fund in Ireland and emra.ie/eu.