Ballycastle boost as 'Sailwest' project launched

THE bungalow at Ballycastle Harbour which served for some years as the Rathlin Ferry ticket office is to be demolished and rebuilt to provide modern on-shore facilities for the nearby marina costing 700,000 Euro as part of the 'Sailwest' project.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Apr 2010, 15:00 BST

Moyle will also be taking part in an extensive marketing campaign, along with other Sailwest partners, to promote the north coast of Ireland and the west coast of Scotland as an important sailing destination for sea-faring tourists.

Esther Mulholland from Moyle Council said it is hoped that the rebuild programme at Ballycastle Harbour will commence in September and will be completed for spring 2011.

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A number of representatives from Moyle Council attended the launch of 'Sailwest' in Donegal town.

The seven million Euro initiative was launched by An Tnaiste, Mary Coughlan, TD.

The EU funded Sail West Initiative is the result of an extensive collaboration of over 20 partners from the West of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Supported under the INTERREG IVA programme the initiative aims to encourage the development of marine tourism across the entire region, through a targeted capital investment programme in key marine infrastructure and a concerted marketing campaign.

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The Sail West capital investment programme aims to provide a highly developed boating, angling and marine tourism related infrastructure to increase visitor numbers to the Sail West region.

This investment programme will be backed up by a marketing programme aimed at promoting the Sail West region as a must-visit marine and cultural tourism destination.

An Tnaiste, Mary Coughlan said: "I am extremely proud to launch the Sail West Initiative today here in Donegal. The Sail West Initiative is a good news story for everyone in the North West region of Ireland, as well as Northern Ireland and Scotland.

"The €7m capital investment programme and marketing initiative will be a great boost to all working and involved in the tourism industry, and through working with our partners in Northern Ireland and Scotland, we will be able to offer an exciting and diverse marine tourism product."

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The Sail West project which is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG IVA Cross-border Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, is being led by Donegal County Council in conjunction with partners in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland, namely Sligo County Council, Border Region Authority in the Republic of Ireland, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Coleraine Borough Council, Derry City Council, Larne Borough Council, Limavady Borough Council, Moyle District Council, The Loughs Agency as well as partners from Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Highlands and Islands, Lochaber, Highlands and Islands, HIW Argyll and the Islands, Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Company, British Waterways Scotland, Argyll and Bute Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council, North Ayrshire Council, South Aryshire Council, Visit Scotland and the Highland Council.

Welcoming the Sail West project, Howard Keery, Director of the Joint Technical Secretariat within the Special EU Programmes Body, said: "This is a highly innovative project that will transform the marine tourism sector through the creation of stronger cross-border links. Upon completion it will create sustainable employment opportunities and significantly increase the number of domestic and overseas tourists coming into the area."

Related topics:Ireland