{"id":420077,"date":"2026-04-27T14:18:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T14:18:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/420077\/"},"modified":"2026-04-27T14:18:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T14:18:10","slug":"failte-ireland-grants-combined-funding-of-over-e1m-to-two-shannonside-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/420077\/","title":{"rendered":"F\u00e1ilte Ireland Grants Combined Funding of Over \u20ac1m to Two Shannonside Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke has officially opened two new regenerative tourism projects along the River Shannon.<\/p>\n

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Two projects, a floating jetty at Shannonbridge Marina and the redeveloped Banagher Open Water Pool, were delivered through F\u00e1ilte Ireland\u2019s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, which was co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, through the EU Just Transition Fund. The new developments enhance the visitor experience along the River Shannon, support water-based recreation and strengthen the appeal of the region for both international and domestic visitors.<\/p>\n

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Banagher Open Water Pool<\/p>\n

Delivered by the Shannon Bank Park Trustees Community Group in partnership with F\u00e1ilte Ireland, the newly redeveloped Banagher Open Water Pool provides a best-in-class, year-round open water swimming amenity for the local community and visitors alike.<\/p>\n

The project received \u20ac616,700 in funding through F\u00e1ilte Ireland\u2019s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs. The local community in Banagher raised \u20ac156,000, in match funding, reflecting strong local commitment to the redevelopment.<\/p>\n

Central to the project is a new 25 metre floating open water swimming pool, designed to adapt to fluctuating river levels and improve access for swimmers of all ages and abilities. The facility also includes a dedicated children\u2019s area, a safe access zone, a canoe launch area and a recreational seating area with sheltered pods on the pontoon.<\/p>\n

The newly enhanced amenity ensures a safe, inclusive and accessible open water swimming experience, strengthening Banagher\u2019s reputation as a destination for outdoor recreation and water-based tourism along the River Shannon for both domestic and international visitors.<\/p>\n

Shannonbridge Floating Jetty<\/p>\n

Also officially opened today was the new floating jetty at Shannonbridge Marina, developed by Waterways Ireland in partnership with F\u00e1ilte Ireland. The new infrastructure increases mooring capacity while enhancing accessibility and safety for recreational water-based activities along the River Shannon.<\/p>\n

Waterways Ireland was awarded \u20ac150,000 in funding through F\u00e1ilte Ireland\u2019s Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Strategic Partners. Waterways Ireland invested a further \u20ac160,000 in funding for this project.<\/p>\n

The development centres on a new floating jetty with guide piles, providing 12 additional berths alongside dedicated access for canoe and kayak users. Enhanced safety and accessibility features include new pathways and access ramps, navigation markers, improved lighting, safety ladders and life rings, creating a safer and more inclusive experience for both the local community and visitors.<\/p>\n

Improved access and increased mooring capacity at Shannonbridge will encourage more visitors to explore the wider region via the River Shannon, giving them more reasons to stay longer while driving footfall for local businesses and communities.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the official openings, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said: \u201cI\u2019m pleased to officially open these two important regenerative tourism projects along the River Shannon today. The redevelopment of Banagher Open Water Pool and the new floating jetty at Shannonbridge are excellent examples of how targeted investment through the EU Just Transition Fund and F\u00e1ilte Ireland\u2019s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme is delivering real, tangible benefits for communities across the midlands.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese projects enhance our natural assets, support outdoor recreation and water-based tourism, and create new opportunities for communities and local businesses to thrive. Through strong local partnerships and significant community commitment, we are seeing how this funding is helping to build a more sustainable, resilient and vibrant future for the region, while strengthening the River Shannon as a key tourism asset for visitors from Ireland and overseas. I look forward to seeing more projects come to life in the coming months under this scheme.\u201d<\/p>\n

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CEO of F\u00e1ilte Ireland, Caroline Bocquel said: \u201cThe opening of these two significant projects clearly demonstrates the transformative impact that F\u00e1ilte Ireland\u2019s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme and the EU Just Transition Fund are having across the midlands.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis investment of over \u20ac1 million across both regenerative tourism initiatives helps to maximise one of Ireland\u2019s Hidden Heartlands\u2019 key natural assets, the River Shannon. By developing tourism amenities with a strong focus on accessibility and sustainable, water-based recreation, this investment is strengthening the appeal of the region for both domestic and international visitors.<\/p>\n

\u201cTogether, these projects are giving visitors compelling reasons to explore the midlands, encouraging longer stays and stronger engagement with the region, while delivering meaningful social and economic benefits for local communities and businesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe look forward to continuing our close collaboration with local tourism businesses and communities, strategic partners, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) and the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to deliver further regenerative tourism projects that will help build a more resilient, competitive and vibrant future for the midlands.\u201d<\/p>\n

Clare Bannon, Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), said: \u201cEMRA is delighted to see the official opening of these two projects in Banagher and Shannonbridge and commends the commitment and collaboration of the local communities, delivery partners and F\u00e1ilte Ireland in bringing them to fruition with the support of the EU Just Transition Fund Programme.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmenities such as the Banagher Open Water Pool and the new marina infrastructure at Shannonbridge play a vital role in strengthening communities and enhancing the character and liveability of towns along the River Shannon. As Managing Authority, EMRA is proud to support initiatives that create high\u2011quality, inclusive and sustainable places, while making best use of local natural assets.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy improving quality of life for residents and enhancing the visitor experience, projects like these contribute not only to regenerative tourism, but also to wider economic and social transformation, supporting local enterprise, encouraging investment and delivering long\u2011term benefits for communities across the Midlands.\u201d<\/p>\n

John Butler, Shannon Bank Park Trustees Community Group said: \u201cWe are delighted to have our new outdoor pool officially opened today. This is the culmination of a number of years of hard work and dedication by a group of volunteers who have demonstrated a deep commitment to the delivery of this project. The Shannon Bank Park has been in community ownership since 1955 and this development will provide an iconic and fully accessible outdoor swimming facility for further generations throughout the region.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe as a community are planning further development in the park and other projects in the town and we will gain confidence and determination to continue to work with our partners in the local authorities and other state support agencies.\u201d<\/p>\n

John Mc Donagh, Chief Executive, Waterways Ireland, said<\/p>\n

\u201cWaterways Ireland\u2019s long term strategic partnership with F\u00e1ilte Ireland continues to enable us to deliver new and additional international standard facilities for the tourism industry on the Shannon to grow their businesses. The Shannon Tourism Masterplan has been strategic in ensuring facilities are placed where they are needed. The EU Just Transition Fund and F\u00e1ilte Ireland\u2019s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme has made this investment in Shannonbridge possible on a 50\/50 basis and we know the local community and tourism industry will welcome the increase in mooring capacity here for tourism and recreation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O\u2019Brien said: \u201cI am delighted to mark the official opening of these projects in Banagher and Shannonbridge, delivered through F\u00e1ilte Ireland\u2019s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme under the EU Just Transition Fund. Since the launch of the Programme in 2023, over \u20ac120 million has been awarded to over 170 projects through 15 funding calls. This significant investment to date clearly demonstrates Government support and commitment to a just transition in the Midlands region.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe regeneration of the Banagher Open Water Pool and the new floating jetty at Shannonbridge reflect a core aim of the EU Just Transition Fund in Ireland -strengthening communities and enhancing our shared natural assets while supporting a more sustainable future for the Midlands.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese projects build on the unique relationship that communities along the River Shannon have with their environment, providing high\u2011quality, accessible amenities that will benefit local residents and visitors alike. I look forward to seeing the positive and lasting impact they will bring to Banagher, Shannonbridge and the wider region.\u201d<\/p>\n

F\u00e1ilte Ireland\u2019s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme aims to transform tourism across eight counties in Ireland\u2019s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland\u2019s Ancient East by supporting sustainable projects that diversify local economies, create employment opportunities and deliver long term benefits for communities and the environment. Further projects supported through the scheme are expected to be completed in the coming months.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke has officially opened two new regenerative tourism projects along the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":420078,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[61,60,43],"class_list":["post-420077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ireland","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420077","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=420077"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420077\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/420078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=420077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=420077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=420077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}