Killarney National Park to share in €500k investment

KILLARNEY National Park will share in a slice of capital funding worth €500,000 as part of Fáilte Ireland’s new strategic partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS). Set up with a view to growing tourism revenues in rural areas where heritage parks are located, the new funding aims to increase their appeal as a holiday destination and is a welcome boost for Killarney tourism with the new season fast approaching.

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny announced details of the Fáilte Ireland/NPWS strategic partnership in Co Mayo recently and how the funding focuses on five National Parks and five Nature Reserves along the Wild Atlantic Way - of which Killarney National Park is a world-renowned attraction. The funding also forms part of a feasibility, scoping and design study into tourism projects in such sites.

“This new strategic partnership is an excellent example of state agencies proactively working together to advance a shared objective to the benefit of local communities,” said Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

The Taoiseach also spoke of the new investment in the same context as the government’s recent ‘Action Plan for Rural Development’, citing the importance of maximising rural tourism and its recreational potential which allows for the design of excellent tourism projects that build on the pre-existing strengths of each location.

The joint initiative between NPWS and Fáilte Ireland has developed along with key State agencies and bodies that own and manage the attractions which are considered vital to tourism. Moreover, while Fáilte Ireland is giving capital funding to projects of tourism value, it will also provide its considerable expertise in tourism development and marketing to partner agencies.

Also speaking on the new initiative, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said: “This strategic partnership will help maintain a clear focus on the interests of the international visitor and on strengthening the appeal of Ireland in international markets.”