The Boyne Valley Walking Festival has been awarded €45,000 in funding, Deputy Paula Butterly has confirmed. The allocation comes under Fáilte Ireland’s new Strategic Festival Tourism Portfolio, announced this morning by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, which will support 38 festivals nationwide over the next three years.
Deputy Butterly said she was delighted to see the Louth festival benefit from the programme:
“The Boyne Valley Walking Festival will receive €45,000 in total, with funding provided this year and again for the next two years. This support will allow the festival to grow its profile, strengthen the local economy, and secure its place as an important annual event.”
She added that government backing for local, authentic tourism will help attract both domestic and international visitors to Louth, particularly outside the busy summer season when the industry is usually quieter.
Minister Burke said the €3.9 million investment across 38 festivals will highlight Ireland’s creativity while providing real economic value in local communities:
“These events will help strengthen small businesses, support the 210,000 tourism jobs nationwide and boost the competitiveness of our destinations.”
He also confirmed that a new National Tourism Strategy will be launched shortly:
“The strategy will guide investment for the next five years, with a focus on balanced regional development. Areas with traditionally lower visitor numbers will receive targeted support to help strengthen local economies and tourism SMEs, showcasing Ireland’s authentic tourism offering to the world.”
