AGRI-TOURISM SECTOR

Carlow County Council over the coming months will roll out further supports designed to enhance the Agri-Food Tourism Sector in the County following an announcement by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D today.

Following an application by Carlow County Council in partnership with Visual a grant of €46,550 will ensure further supports are delivered to businesses in the Food & Tourism Sector during 2018. Carlow County was one of two projects awarded funding under the scheme which will build on work funded last year and will focus on profile development, tourism experience development, co-operative branding and showcasing of Carlow’s rich Agri-Food Tourism industry.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D. has announced the projects that will receive funding this year from his Department, under the Rural Innovation and Development Fund, for initiatives to promote and develop agri-food tourism in rural areas. The Minister said  “I am pleased to support initiatives also in the vibrant sector of agri-food tourism. Food Wise 2025 highlights the natural synergy between agri-food and local tourism. I believe that agri-food tourism is of great importance for rural areas in order 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 to an area, and improve skills and best practice”.

“The Food Agri-Food Tourism projects are funded from my Department’s Rural Innovation and Development Fund and so they will also serve to address that fund’s overall objective of energising the rural economy by encouraging innovative job creation and sustainable enterprise development

Kathleen Holohan , Chief Executive of Carlow County Council speaking about the announcement said “It is important that Carlow County Council plays a leadership role in attracting investment to the County for core strategic development projects ” and “this innovative project is a perfect example of how Carlow County Council can work with key partners in order to promote a specific sector in a strategic way and achieve central support from government in order for us to play our vital role as an enabler of business opportunity ” Holohan continued to say that “the Food Sector is vitally important to the County Carlow Economy and Carlow over the past number of years has been proud to be the home of many indigenous enterprises such as Walsh Whiskey, Seery’s , O’Hara’s , Sunshine Juice and a nationally recognized Farmers Market”.

Speaking about the programme , Carlow County Councils Head of Enterprise , Kieran Comerford said “we are delighted to once again get the support of the department in developing the untapped potential that County Carlow’s Agri-Food Tourism presents” , Comerford continued to say “this project is designed to create synergies between other supports already provided for the Food & Drink Sector such as Catalyst and our Food & Drink Sector business supports and mentoring”.

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For further information contact Kieran Comerford on 086-8252037