Donegal Community Chamber to benefit from new agri-food tourism fund

Almost €300,000 in funding is being shared by 17 local agri-food tourism projects across the country, with 12,500 going to Donegal Town Community Chamber..

The funding is being made available under the 2024 Rural Innovation and Development Fund operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Announcing the funding, Minister Charlie McConalogue said the Food Vision 2030 strategy highlights the natural synergy between agri-food and local tourism.

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Minister McConalogue announces €300,000 funding for Agri-Food Tourism projects

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, has announced the award of almost €300,000 in funding to 17 local agri-food tourism projects. 

The funding is being made available under the 2024 Rural Innovation and Development Fund operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 

Minister McConalogue said “It is great to be able to support these initiatives in the agri-food tourism sector and build on progress already made. There is great interest from across the country this year which highlights the development of agri-food tourism and its importance to communities. Our 10-year roadmap for the agriculture sector, Food Vision 2030, highlights the natural synergy between agri-food and local tourism. 

Agri food tourism in rural areas allows our great food companies of all sizes to showcase their people, landscape, history and culture through agricultural produce, food and drink and local cuisine.  In addition, it provides opportunities for rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans to develop their products and services, connect with the community and visitors and improve skills and best practice. I am delighted to announce the successful projects which have secured funding”.  

ENDS

Image 1: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, pictured with members of the Donegal Town Community Chamber at Donegal Castle. Donegal Town Community Chamber is one of 17 local agri-food tourism projects that has been allocated funding under the 2024 Rural Innovation and Development Fund.

Note for Editors:

Agri-food tourism broadly is the practice of offering an activity or activities as part of a visit to areas of well-known agricultural produce and to sample and taste the local or regional cuisine or specialties.  Agri-food tourism includes a wide variety of activities that involve the links between agriculture and the food produced at the local or regional level. It may involve staying on farm or touring food trails and events, participation in agricultural endeavours or buying produce direct from a farm or market. Agri-food tourism also encompasses local food, farmer and artisan market schemes that support and are paired with local and seasonal food producers and artisan crafts.

Funding has been made available to the following successful initiatives:

1. 1. Achonry Farmers Market – €11,200
   2. Boyne Valley Food Heroes – €25,000
   3. Cavan County Council (Cavan Food Network) – €25,000
   4. Cromane Seafest, Co Kerry – €25,000
   5. Destination Lough Derg (Tipperary Co Council) – €20,750
   6. Inishturk Community Club – €20,000
   7. Kilkenny Co Council (Taste Kilkenny) – €25,000
   8. Laois Co Council (Laois Taste) – €17,500
   9. Monaghan Co Council (Summer of Food) – €25,000
   10. Waterford Co Festival of Food – €25,000
   11. Wildacres Honey Tour – €14,525
   12. Carlow Tourism CLG (Taste In Carlow Agri Food Network) – €12,826
   13. Donegal Town Community Chamber – €12,826
   14. Farnadolly Milk Barn – €12,826
   15. Hannah Quinn Mulligan, Tory Hill House – €1,894
   16. Inis Escargot Snail Farming – €12,826
   17. Wicklow Naturally – €12,826