€300,000 for agri-food tourism projects across Ireland
Agri-food tourism includes a wide variety of activities that involve the links between agriculture and the food produced at the local or regional level.
Almost €300,000 has been awarded to 17 local agri-food tourism projects.
The funding is being made available under the 2024 Rural Innovation and Development Fund operated by the Department of Agriculture.
Agri-food tourism broadly is the practice of offering an activity or activities as part of a visit to areas of well-known agricultural produce and to sample and taste the local or regional cuisine or specialties.
Agri-food tourism includes a wide variety of activities that involve the links between agriculture and the food produced at the local or regional level.
It may involve staying on-farm or touring food trails and events, participation in agricultural endeavours or buying produce direct from a farm or market.
"Agri-food tourism in rural areas allows our great food companies of all sizes to showcase their people, landscape, history and culture through agricultural produce, food and drink, and local cuisine," Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said.
"In addition, it provides opportunities for rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans to develop their products and services, connect with the community and visitors and improve skills and best practice.
"It is great to be able to support these initiatives in the agri-food tourism sector and build on progress already made. There is great interest from across the country this year which highlights the development of agri-food tourism and its importance to communities."
Funding has been made available to the following successful projects:
- Achonry Farmers Market - €11,200;
- Boyne Valley Food Heroes - €25,000;
- Cavan County Council (Cavan Food Network) - €25,000;
- Cromane Seafest, Co Kerry - €25,000;
- Destination Lough Derg (Tipperary Co Council) - €20,750;
- Inishturk Community Club - €20,000;
- Kilkenny County Council (Taste Kilkenny) - €25,000;
- Laois County Council (Laois Taste) - €17,500;
- Monaghan County Council (Summer of Food) - €25,000;
- Waterford County Festival of Food - €25,000;
- Wildacres Honey Tour - €14,525;
- Carlow Tourism CLG (Taste In Carlow Agri Food Network) - €12,826;
- Donegal Town Community Chamber - €12,826;
- Farnadolly Milk Barn - €12,826;
- Hannah Quinn Mulligan, Tory Hill House - €1,894;
- Inis Escargot Snail Farming - €12,826;
- Wicklow Naturally - €12,826.
