The Office of Public Works (OPW) has welcomed the Just Transition funding to develop four OPW sites in Clonmacnoise, Corlea Trackway, Emo Court and Roscrea Castle.

These projects have received €11.2 million through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, co-funded by the EU and the Government of Ireland under the EU Just Transition Fund.

Aligned with the OPW's vision for a sustainable and universally accessible future for the State's heritage sites, these projects will see:

• Clonmacnoise – A €7.8m investment in the redevelopment and expansion of the existing visitor centre to transform the visitor facilities and bring the building up to the OPW’s modern energy and sustainability standards.

• Corlea Trackway & Visitor Centre – €262k for the development of a feasibility project exploring the sustainable development of the project and its interactions with the wider destination including developments along the canals and the neighbouring peatlands;

• Emo Court – €187k towards the development of a site assessment to review national and international best practice and prepare site development plan, building on the conservation management plan of the site, which can act as a road map for the future potential development of key activities and visitor experiences;

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• Roscrea Castle & Damer House – A €2.97m investment in the development of accessible visitor services, improved visitor interpretation experiences, and improvements to the courtyard and garden facilities at the site.

This funding will help in the development of these sites to offer a world-class visitor experience, improve accessibility and boost tourism in the midlands area. This project is part of the initial round of approved investment grants announced by Fáilte Ireland, delivered under its Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme as part of the EU Just Transition Fund.

Kieran O'Donnell T.D. Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) stated: "I am delighted to announce the allocation of funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme that will see four of our OPW sites improve their existing facilities and enhance visitor experiences. The identified locations, situated in Irelands Hidden Heartlands, include Clonmacnoise, Corlea Trackway, Emo Court and Roscrea Castle.

"This exciting initiative will not only generate employment during the construction stage in each of these locations but will also provide exciting career opportunities for those interested in starting a career with OPW. I am pleased that this funding allocation will allow us to invest in these locations, each with their own unique history, preserving our heritage and encouraging tourism in Irelands Hidden Heartlands."

Fáilte Ireland's Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme aims to transform tourism across eight counties in Ireland's Hidden Heartlands and Ireland's Ancient East. The scheme focuses on diversifying the local economy and creating new employment opportunities for workers and communities that were heavily reliant on peat.

The scheme will develop the midlands into a leading regenerative tourism destination, creating more reasons for domestic and international tourists to visit the Midlands while also sustaining jobs, businesses and local communities in the region. It will also support the transition of the Midlands to a carbon neutral destination through funding of sustainable tourism projects that are designed to have significant regenerative impacts on local communities and peatlands.