EUR140K For Kilrush And Ennis Historic Town Projects

The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism announced that the Ennis Historic Town Trail and the Kilrush Historic Town Trail projects will receive grants totalling EUR112,760 and EUR27,080 respectively, under Fáilte Ireland's Historic Towns Initiative.

The funding announcement was made by Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, on an official visit to the National Museum of Ireland - Museum of Country Life in Turlough Park in Castlebar.

Welcoming the allocation of two grants to County Clare, Minister of State and Clare T.D, Mr. Tony Killeen said, ‘The Historic Towns Initiative introduced by Fáilte Ireland is aimed at the development of a series of historic walking trails in up to 100 towns around the country. The funding announced by Minister Cullen for Kilrush and Ennis is being made available to assist Clare Local Authorities to provide a range of tourist signage, including orientation, interpretive and information boards, along the designated historic trails, which guides the visitor around the town’.

Minister of State Killeen said the funding would assist in maximising the tourism potential of Kilrush and Ennis.

‘I hope that funding will enhance the overall experience of those who visit Kilrush and Ennis. County Clare is fortunate to possess so many important heritage sites. Therefore, we must do everything possible to make them more accessible to members of the local community and visitors to the respective towns.’

The Historic Towns Initiative forms part of the Tourism Product Development and Infrastructure sub-programme of the National Development Plan 2007-13. The initiative is also a component of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which supports local authorities and other infrastructure providers to develop facilities for tourists, such as walking and cycling routes, jetties and moorings, angling stands, and access paths to areas of environmental and scenic interest.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry), is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available on request

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900