Plans for WAW campervan sites at Coillte locations

REST stops for campervans along the Wild Atlantic Way could be in store following the announcement of a new €550,000 capital funding package by Fáilte Ireland and Coillte.

As part of a strategic partnership to boost the tourist experience at a number of Coillte sites, the collaboration has a number of planks, with six key areas targeted, including the provision of facilities and services for motorhomes at sites along the WAW.

This team up with of the State-owned forestry company is the latest in a series of partnerships that Fáilte Ireland is developing with key State agencies and bodies which own and manage attractions and sites that are considered to be of vital importance to tourism. 

 As part of this strategy, Fáilte Ireland is giving capital funding to projects of tourism value as well as providing its considerable expertise in tourism development and marketing. 

 Also benefiting from this new link-up will be the Avondale Forest Park Experience, Co. Wicklow; Curraghchase Forest Park, Co Limerick; Ards Forest Park, Co Donegal; Wild Nephin and Ballycroy, Co Mayo and Coolaney Mountain Bike Centre, Co Sligo. In addition, significant further funding to progress these projects will be announced once the projects have been designed and costed.

 Announcing the funding, the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD said:  ‘I am delighted to see such joined-up working between two State agencies where the strengths and assets of each are being combined to really provide us with an enhanced visitor experience.’

Fáilte Ireland’s director of strategic development, Orla Carroll, emphasised the positive aspects of the joint venture.

 ‘We know from our own research that more and more visitors want to experience the Irish landscape up-close and personal,’ she said. 

‘The wild and rugged environment of the Wild Atlantic Way and the lush, green and fertile landscapes of Ireland’s Ancient East are very strong magnets for visitors when choosing a holiday destination.’