Around €190 million will be invested in upgrading and developing tourist facilities around various locations in the Irish Republic to kick-start the struggling sector.

However, while the building trade will also get a fillip, the overall process will take over six years to complete with the funding initially focused on completing the upgrading process of some major tourist attractions, developing a small number of iconic heritage attractions and improving recreational areas.

Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin said: "Continually investing and renewing the tourist attractions we have to offer is vitally important if we are to grow visitor numbers in the coming years.

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"The tourism industry continues to face a very difficult international economic climate and the Government, in partnership with the industry, is helping to meet this challenge through the provision of significant additional tourism capital funding in the coming years."

Minister Hanafin announced almost €4million of funding which is being allocated under Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Capital Investment Programme.

The funding will support four projects across the country; The Clare Coastal Walks, Lough Key Marina, Slieve League, and the Foynes Flying Boat Museum.

Clare Coastal Walks - this project, promoted by Clare County Council, has been allocated €186,490 to provide for the delivery of a 12.7km linear route mostly along the coast between Doolin village and Hags Head, near Liscannor village.

These works will include drainage, the provision of crossing places and providing way marking and map boards.

On completion of the project, the route will become part of the Burren Way.

(BMcC/GK)