A new water sports and activities centre will be developed in Galway City as part of a major announcement from Fáilte Ireland today.
It has been announced today that €19m million in funding will be used to develop state of the art facilities for outdoors water based activities at 22 locations around Ireland.
Of those, Fáilte Ireland and Galway City Council will together develop a Corrib Sport & Adventure facility on the Dyke Road.
Brendan McGrath, Chief Executive Galway City Council said “I am delighted to welcome the news from the Minister on funding for the delivery of a Recreational Water sports Tourism Hub on the Corrib.
“This is a great opportunity to support outdoor tourism providers who will play a key role in the tourism recovery of the city.”
“Repurposing this building as recreational centre provides much needed facilities and is a step in our plans to develop the Corrib as a Blueway. We envisage this project will complement the activities on the Corrib.”
Paul Kelly, CEO Fáilte Ireland said that Ireland’s temperate climate means that we can offer outdoors experiences in the water year round.
“In order for Ireland to be recognised internationally as a best-in-class activity destination it is critical that we invest in building a sustainable activity infrastructure, compelling visitor experiences and developing the capacity of activity providers.”
On top of providing facilities for water based activities around the country, he said that this scheme will also support local jobs, and help bring tourists to the area.
All of the facilities to be developed under this investment scheme will have hot showers, changing and toilet facilities, secure storage, induction spaces, equipment washdown and orientation points.
They will be fully wheelchair accessible and built using sustainability best practices such as solar heating panels to meet ‘Nearly Zero Energy Building Standards’.
A second phase is expected to commence in 2023 under Fáilte Ireland’s Platforms for Growth capital investment programme.
Minister for Sport and Tourism Catherine Martin said that Ireland provides “world class” water based activities enjoyed by tourists and local alike on rivers, lakes, and the coast.
“We’ve seen a significant upward trend in people enjoying outdoor water activities over the last year and we know the appeal of the outdoors will continue to grow post-COVID so we must ensure the Irish experience meets and exceeds visitor expectations.”
This will help with the recovery of the tourism sector she said, by providing new business and job opportunities in local communities, and improving the overall experience of visitors to the area, while extending the tourist season beyond the summer months.
“It is also important to note that the facility centres will be sustainable, accessible and integrate into the natural environment of their locations.”
All locations for Centres for Water Based Activities:
Dublin
- Docklands Water Sports, North Wall Quay, Pontoons, Dublin 1
- DLRCC Killiney Beach Facilities Project, Killiney Beach, Killiney, Co Dublin
Ireland’s Ancient East
- Claycastle Sports Activity Facility, Claycastle, Youghal, Co. Cork
- Kilkenny Water Sports Hub, County Hall, John St, Kilkenny
- Tramore Water-Sports Activity Facility Centre, Promenade, Tramore, Co. Waterford
- Ardmore Water-Sports Activity Facility Centre, Public Car Park, Cois Tra, Ardmore, Co Waterford
- Curracloe Water Sports Activity Centre, Whitegap, Curracloe, Co. Wexford
Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands
- Ballycuggeran Sports Activity Facility, Ogonnelloe, Killaloe, Co. Clare.
- Acres Lake Activity Facility, Acres Lake, Drumshambo, Co. Leitrim
- Dromineer Sports Activity Facility, Dromineer, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Wild Atlantic Way
- Kilkee Waterworld Activity Facilities, Waterworld, East End, Kilkee, Co. Clare
- GarryLucas Beach, Ballinspittle, Co Cork
- Tullan Strand Centre for Water Sports Activities Bundoran, Drumacrin, Tullan, Strand, Bundoran, Co Donegal
- Downings Water Sports Activity Facility, Cnoc Na Muirleog, Na Muirleog, Na Dunaibh, Co Donegal
- Corrib Sports & Adventure, Dyke Road, Terryland, Galway
- Ballybunion Beach Shared Facilities Centre, Men’s (South) Beach, Ballybunion, Co Kerry
- Fenit Beach Shared Facility Centre, Fenit Beach, Fenit, Co. Kerry
- Magherabeg Shared Facilities Centre, Magherabeg Lower, Castlegregory, Co Kerry
- Keel Facility Centre for Water Sports Activities, Keel Sandybanks, Achill Island, Co. Mayo
- Carrowmore Beach, Louisburgh, Co Mayo
- Enniscrone Beach, Mackduff, Enniscrone , Co Sligo
- Rosses Point, County Sligo
