Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring T.D. today promised visitors the “journey of a lifetime” as he officially launched the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s first long-distance touring route. Fáilte Ireland is investing €10 million during 2014 in the route which stretches from the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork and already the new attraction is garnering significant interest overseas. Speaking today, Minister Ring said:
“The Wild Atlantic Way is a really exciting project which I’m delighted to launch today. It’s the world’s longest touring route through some of Ireland’s most beautiful places, and is already proving a hit in our key overseas markets like Britain, the US, France and Germany.
“It has massive potential to bring more visitors and more jobs to rural communities right along the western seaboard. That’s why we will soon be promoting it even further afield in places like Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.”
The Minister emphasised that the Government had allocated €8 million for the project this year (which was announced in the 2014 Budget) and along with €2 million previously committed from Fáilte Ireland’s Tourism Capital Investment Programme, a total investment of €10 million will take place in 2014. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is an evolving long term development project starting with the route and the Signature Discovery Points with further interpretation and touring loops with various enhancements coming on stream over the next few years.
