Louth Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly has welcomed the announcement of €820,000 in funding from the Shared Island Fund to support the continued development of the Great Lighthouses of Ireland initiative and tourism opportunities around Carlingford Lough.
The funding, announced by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, will be provided over the period 2026 to 2028 and aims to strengthen tourism offerings and support coastal communities across the island.
Deputy Butterly said the investment will build on the success of the Great Lighthouses of Ireland project, an all island tourism partnership led by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that has showcased Ireland’s maritime heritage and attracted visitors to coastal destinations for more than a decade.
“I warmly welcome the allocation of €820,000 from my colleague Minister Peter Burke and the Shared Island Fund to support the continued development of the Great Lighthouses of Ireland initiative and tourism opportunities around Carlingford Lough over the period 2026 to 2028,” she said.
“This funding is a great boost for tourism around Carlingford Lough and builds on the success of the Great Lighthouses right across the island.”
The funding will support the delivery of priorities outlined in the Great Lighthouses of Ireland Strategy 2025 to 2030, in partnership with organisations including Fáilte Ireland, Tourism NI, Tourism Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Deputy Butterly also welcomed support for the feasibility and economic appraisal of the proposed Loop of the Lough initiative, a project aimed at linking attractions on both sides of Carlingford Lough and complementing existing investments such as the Narrow Water Bridge.
“I also particularly welcome support for the feasibility and economic appraisal of the proposed ‘Loop of the Lough’ initiative, which has the potential to link attractions on both sides of Carlingford Lough and build on existing Government investment in sustainable tourism and the Narrow Water Bridge project,” she said.
She added that the funding demonstrates how the Shared Island Fund can support practical cross border projects that benefit local communities and help grow tourism.
“This investment is a strong example of how the Shared Island Fund is supporting practical, collaborative projects that benefit communities and grow tourism across the island. It’s a real boost for tourism and local communities around Carlingford Lough and builds on the strong success of the Great Lighthouses initiative across the island.”
