€200 million is to be invested from the 2014 National Lottery to help to fund the Wild Atlantic Way Driving Route tourism initiative. The new route will stretch from the Inishowen Peninsula, Co. Donegal to Kinsale in Co. Cork, allowing tourist to explore the west coast. The project is aimed to try and optimise tourism along Ireland's Atlantic coastline. The 2,500km final route was revealed after a comprehensive public consultation process. The route includes 156 strategically placed discovery points for tourists along the way.
Tourism Minister Michael Ring says he will "ensure that this new west coast route lives up to international expectations".
Fáilte Ireland has been working with all the local authorities along the West Coast as well as the leader companies, Údaras na Gaeltachta and the Western Development Commission.
