Louis O'Hara
Question:51. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment his Department's efforts to promote tourism in east County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11993/26]
View answerThursday, 19 February 2026
Questions (51)
Written answers
Regional tourism promotion is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, working in collaboration with local authorities and tourism stakeholders. County Galway is included in Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands Regional Tourism Development Strategies 2023–2027. Galway City and Connemara & Islands on the west coast are positioned along the Wild Atlantic Way, while the east of the county forms part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
To activate these regional brands, Fáilte Ireland has established a series of Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDPs). These are five-year sustainable tourism development plans that bring together public and private partners to prioritise tourism projects and maximise their delivery. The DEDP process is highly collaborative, with agreed action plans assigning responsibility across stakeholders. The East Galway DEDP commenced in 2025, with the first working group meeting held in November. The process will continue throughout 2026, and it is anticipated that the draft plan will be ready later this year. East Galway is firmly positioned within the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand.
Approximately €1.2 million has also been allocated through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism & Placemaking Scheme, funded by the Government and the EU Just Transition Fund, to support eight projects across the East Galway area.
Galway is promoted through a range of annual campaign initiatives. These include a dedicated Galway sting as part of Fáilte Ireland’s sponsorship of the RTÉ Weather, reaching an average of 1.6 million viewers per week over a two-week period, supported by RTÉ Player and RTÉ.ie. Galway also features in the Wild Atlantic Way Keep Discovering television advertisement, broadcast in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, complemented by social and digital activity. Additional Wild Atlantic Way advertising ran during summer 2025 across major broadcasters and high-profile events, including international rugby and GAA championships. A targeted 30-second YouTube advertisement promoted Galway to audiences living within a two-hour drive of the destination.
Fáilte Ireland is working closely with Galway County Council and tourism businesses to develop a connected network of experiences in East Galway. A tourism highlights map is currently in development and is due to be launched ahead of the 2026 holiday season.