Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has given sanction to West Cork Development Partnership Ltd. to approve funding of €198,972 to David and Elizabeth Ross to develop an enterprise consisting of a campsite and ancillary building on their farm in Drimoleague.

The funding is being provided under the Diversification into Non-Agricultural Activities measure of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.

The campsite area will consist of both a camping area for tents with associated car parking as well as individual hard-stands, some of which will have full living accommodation inside. The associated building will be built to reflect vernacular tradition, and its ground floor will be an ancillary building for the campsite and will include toilets and showers, self-catering kitchen, laundry room etc. The first floor of the building will serve as a 'Walking Centre' where tea/coffee facilities as well as walking equipment, maps and other information relating to West Cork walks will be available.

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Minister Hogan said: "This project is an excellent example of a private enterprise addressing a niche tourism market with a lot of potential and is of considerable strategic importance to the development of walking tourism in West Cork, being located at the junction of the Beara Way and Sheep’s Head Way walking routes. With an estimated total project cost of €354,773, this is a very significant investment by Mr. and Mrs. Ross and they are to be highly commended for this venture."

(CD)