Today the Minster for Tourism Catherine Martin and Fáilte Ireland announced an investment of €19m to develop state-of-the-art facilities for outdoor water-based activities nationwide.
However, despite the fact we have fabulous beaches, a wonderfully scenic river and are situated close to the large population of Dublin, not one cent of that money will be spent in either Louth or Meath because, of the 22 locations nationwide to receive funding none are situated in this region.
Today’s announcement from Failte Ireland reads as follows:
The significant increase in people enjoying outdoor water-based activities such as kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and open water swimming is expected to continue to grow year on year, and not just during the summer months. 
This means all-weather changing facilities, secure storage and bathrooms at beaches and inland water spots will be in huge demand.
To meet this demand Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin and Fáilte Ireland are today announcing a major new investment worth €19million.  The funding will be used to build world-class facility centres at 22 locations across the country where water-based activities are a key visitor attraction.
Each centre will provide hot showers, changing and toilet facilities, secure storage, induction spaces, equipment washdown and orientation points.
They will be fully wheelchair accessible and built using sustainability best practices such as solar heating panels to meet ‘Nearly Zero Energy Building Standards’.
Sounds great doesn’t it? But in this neck of the woods we’re still arguing about putting a handrail on a slipway at Clogherhead to make it safer for swimmers or whether or not the jewel that is Bettystown beach should be used as a car park.
Officially launching the €19m investment today Minister Martin said:
“Ireland is world-class when it comes to providing water-based activities which are enjoyed by local communities and visitors along our stunning coastline, rivers and lakes.
“We’ve seen a significant upward trend in people enjoying outdoor water activities over the last year and we know the appeal of the outdoors will continue to grow post-COVID19 so we must ensure the Irish experience meets and exceeds visitor expectations.
“This investment scheme, developed in partnership between Fáilte Ireland and Local Authorities, will support the local economy and the outdoor activity sector by significantly enhancing the overall visitor experience, providing new business opportunities in local communities and allowing for the extension of the tourism season beyond the traditional summer months….
Well, yes Minister we know all that, but why no money for Louth or Meath? Perhaps you weren’t asked, perhaps neither Louth nor Meath County Councils thought it worth applying.
So we lose out again.
He’s not the first to express such sentiments but Councillor James Byrne was right when he said at Monday’s Borough meeting that “Every resource deployed in Drogheda, whether it be aimed at economic development, heritage and conservation, or even litter management should have tourism at its heart.”
Moira Murrell, Chair of the Rural Development, Community, Tourism, Culture and Heritage Committee said at today’s launch:
“Amenities like this are not only of benefit to visitors but also to the local community, and we look forward to creating further opportunities for participants and providers of water-based activities and further strengthening our nationwide appeal as a world class activity tourism destination.”
Hear! Hear! Moira, could you have a chat with our local authorities please?
As Councillor Byrne also said, “It’s time to put Drogheda on the tourist map!”
