Louis O'Hara
Question:184. 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. [29993/26]
View answerTuesday, 28 April 2026
Questions (184)
Written answers
At the outset, it is important to note that regional tourism promotion is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, who work in close 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 the west coast are positioned within the "Wild Atlantic Way", while the eastern part 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 designed to 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 relevant stakeholders.
Work on the East Galway DEDP commenced in 2025, with the first working group meeting held last November. The development process will continue throughout 2026, and it is anticipated that a draft plan will be completed later this year.
Fáilte Ireland is working closely with Galway County Council and local tourism businesses to support the development of a dedicated East Galway tourism map. This initiative aims to strengthen collaboration within the area and enable tourism businesses to better promote East Galway attractions and tourism experiences to visitors, helping to raise the profile of the region and enhance the overall visitor experience. The map is currently in development and is scheduled to be launched ahead of the 2026 holiday season.
Fáilte Ireland also supports tourism development in East Galway through initiatives such as the East Galway Tourism Networking Event. The first of these events was held in 2025, with 40 local tourism businesses in attendance. Delivered in partnership with Galway County Council, the event provided an important platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and networking across the region. Building on its success, plans are in place to host a further networking event later this year.
Finally, Fáilte Ireland recently launched a new domestic campaign,? "Find Yourself on a Short Break",designed to increase demand for short breaks in Ireland and support more balanced, year-round tourism. Throughout 2026, the campaign will be brought to life across advertising, partnerships, publicity, digital and social channels, highlighting the range of experiences around the country that support the restorative power of a short break.