Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
177. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current supports and investment being provided to promote tourism in east Galway under the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands initiative; the plans to enhance tourism development and visitor numbers in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45638/26]
View answerFáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland both play an important role in promoting tourism at regional and national level. Responsibility for regional tourism development and promotion lies with Fáilte Ireland. East County Galway is encompassed Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands Regional Tourism Development Strategy for 2023–2027. Aligned with that Strategy, Fáilte Ireland is developing a series of Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDPs). These are five-year sustainable tourism development plans, developed collaboratively with public and private partners, setting out agreed actions across relevant stakeholders.
I am pleased to say that a DEDP specifically for East Galway is due to be completed in early 2027. The first working group meeting was held last November. More recently a community workshop was held in Ballinasloe, and local drop-in clinics have taken place across East Galway.
As part of that process, Fáilte Ireland has engaged directly with local stakeholders, including through working group meetings, a community workshop held in Ballinasloe in May 2026 and local drop-in clinics across East Galway. These sessions are intended to draw out project ideas, identify gaps in the visitor experience and ensure that the plan reflects local knowledge. In parallel, Fáilte Ireland has worked with Galway County Council and tourism businesses on a dedicated East Galway tourism map, which has now been finalised and distributed for use by industry ahead of the 2026 summer season. The map is designed to help businesses cross-promote attractions, activities and experiences, and to make it easier for visitors to discover more of the area.
Fáilte Ireland is also supporting industry development and collaboration through initiatives such as the East Galway Tourism Networking Event. The first event, held in 2025, brought together 40 local tourism businesses and was delivered in partnership with Galway County Council. It provided a forum for operators to share information, build referral links and consider how local experiences can be packaged and promoted more effectively. A further networking event is planned for later in 2026, after the summer season, to maintain momentum and support continued cooperation across the local tourism sector.
Investment is also being provided through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, supported by the Government and the EU Just Transition Fund. Approximately €1.2 million has been allocated to eight projects across the East Galway area. This funding is intended to support projects that can enhance place-based tourism, strengthen local communities, improve the quality of visitor experiences and contribute to a more sustainable and balanced tourism economy.
In terms of increasing visitor numbers, East Galway will benefit from national and regional marketing activity under the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand. On the domestic marketing front, we are taking clear and targeted action. In March 2026, Fáilte Ireland launched a national campaign, “Find Yourself on a Short Break”, which is designed to stimulate that domestic demand and encourage more frequent short breaks across the country. Initiatives such as this campaign will be central to delivering the 7% average annual growth in domestic tourism targeted in the Policy Statement I published late last year 'A New Era for Irish Tourism'.
Tourism Ireland also works with key air and partners – including airlines serving Ireland West Airport – to stimulate demand for strategic routes that bring inbound visitors. This May, Tourism Ireland organised a B2B workshop and networking event that was attended by Galway County Council and 25 tourism companies from the West of Ireland – including Ahascragh Distillery and Brackloon Castle and Farm, both based in East Galway. At that event companies had the opportunity to connect with around 60 leading Italian tour operators, travel agents and journalists.
Furthermore, earlier this year I confirmed €623,250 in funding to 31 local authorities, including County Galway, under the 2026 Regional Festivals Fund which will support approximately 250 festivals across the country. The announcement also included the introduction of a new dedicated 2026 Food Festival Fund, totalling €310,000, which is designed to strengthen food festivals and support Ireland’s evolving culinary tourism offering. The 2026 Regional Festivals Fund allocation represents an increase on 2025 levels, ensuring that every local authority now receives a minimum of €10,000 to support local festival activity.
Taken together, the East Galway Destination Experience Development Plan, the local tourism map, networking activity, targeted investment and marketing campaigns will help improve the visitor proposition, extend the season, support local businesses and attract more visitors to East Galway. I will continue to support the work of Fáilte Ireland and Galway County Council in developing tourism in the region under Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
