Monday, September 16, 2024 In a significant move to boost tourism and celebrate the cultural richness of Ireland’s Gaeltacht regions, Fáilte Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta have announced a major capital investment to support the development of two new tourism projects on the islands of Árainn (Inis Mór) in County Galway and Cléire (Cape Clear) in County Cork. These initiatives, which are set to drive almost €50 million in visitor spending for the regions over the next decade, aim to extend the typical visitor stay and deepen engagement with the unique Gaelic heritage of the islands. This collaboration between Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, and Údarás na Gaeltachta, a regional state agency focused on the economic, social, and cultural development of Irish-speaking areas, represents a major step forward in promoting Gaeltacht experiences to domestic and international tourists.
By combining capital investment with a comprehensive strategy for tourism development, both organizations are actively working to enhance the islands’ appeal as cultural destinations, accessible to all visitors while preserving the rich traditions that make these regions so unique. The capital investment will focus on two key sites: Árainn (Inis Mór), the largest of the Aran Islands, and Cléire (Cape Clear), a small island located off the southern coast of Cork. These two islands, known for their natural beauty and deep-rooted Irish language tra.