Community tourism grants scheme launched.

Wexford County Council today announced that applications for funding are now being invited under the Community Tourism Initiative for the Diaspora, a joint partnership between Wexford County Council, IPB Insurance and Fáilte Ireland.

The Scheme, now in its third year, provides a national fund of €1m to support local community-based events and festivals. In 2015, 19 local events were supported in County Wexford, attracting up to 2000 visitors from overseas. The festivals funded last year included:

* The 30th Annual Rosslare Small Boats Festival

* William Marshal Landing Re-enactment

* Home Nations International Shore Angling Competition

* Féile Peile na nÓg

* Mount Saint Charles School Visit

Administered locally by Wexford County Council, the grant applications and awards are decided in accordance with agreed national criteria.

Announcing this year’s funding, Cllr Tony Dempsey, An Cathaoirleach, Wexford County Council emphasised:

“We all witnessed the benefits from The Gathering and this scheme gives us an opportunity to build on its legacy. The Community Tourism Initiative allows us to sustain an infrastructure of events and relationships which will have long term tourism and social benefits for this region for many years to come. I urge anyone out there with a good idea or interesting event, which would help us to reach out to the diaspora, to get in touch with us and make an application”

Interested parties are advised to contact Wexford County Council’s Tourism Department for an application form.

Email: [email protected] T: (053) 91 96555 / 96556

Closing date for receipt of applications: Friday 11th March 2016.