Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route and the Republic's Wild Atlantic Way have been earmarked for a multimillion-pound brand link as part of new all-island partnership projects.
The cross-border collaboration to link the two tourism brands is part of the Shared Island initiative's funding allocations in 2023 announced by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Monday morning.
Mr Martin is due to leave office later this month when he rotates positions with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar on December 17th.
Read more: Unions to begin industrial action in dispute over pay for healthcare staff
Ahead of his departure, the Irish Government has announced at least €50 million (£43m) in new funding for cross-border projects under the Shared Island initiative.
It will bring to over €190m (£163m) the amount allocated to the Shared Island Fund over the past two years.
The Republic's Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin is set to make up to €7.6 million (£6.5m) available for tourism agencies for a new collaboration linking the Causeway Coastal Route and Wild Atlantic Way.
The rugged 130-mile Causeway Coast, which takes in dramatic castles, sandy beaches, clifftop walks and the Giant's Causeway, is regularly lauded as one of the most scenic drives in the world.
The Wild Atlantic Way tourist trail stretches 2,500 km along the entire western coastline of Ireland, linking Co Donegal to Co Cork.
Additional funding of €2m (£1.7m) was also announced for cross-border Irish and Ulster-Scots language projects.
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter has welcomed funding to connect the two key routes and said the move would be a huge boost to the North Coast’s tourism offering.
Ms Hunter said: “We are so lucky on this island to have some of the most beautiful coastline found anywhere. The Causeway Coastal Route is famous for its fantastic views, beaches, seaside towns and villages and it perfectly complements the Wild Atlantic Way in providing people with a fantastic experience while travelling around Ireland, exploring what we have to offer and our wonderful natural resources.
“Our tourism offering is a focal point of life in this area, we have built on the success of the Open at Portrush and look forward to its return and the extension of the Wild Atlantic Way will allow us to keep growing in the future.
“Tourism is so important to our economy, bringing much needed investment and jobs and today’s announcement is a real opportunity to expand cross border cooperation when it comes to our tourism industry and we need to grab it with both hands.”
READ NEXT
- NI mum calls for support for hospitals after son's 10-hour A&E wait
- NI weather forecast for week ahead as snow expected
- Belfast cafe's Christmas toy appeal as demand for help is 'off the charts'
'Royal' road sign 'dismay' for King's NI residence in Co Down
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
