20-2-2025: Paul Keely, Director, Regional Development, Failte Ireland in front with Miriam Kennedy, Fáilte Ireland, Head of Wild Atlantic Way, Niamh O’ Sullivan, Director of Services, Kerry County Council and Alan Farrell, Deputy CEO, Clare County Council pictured as Fáilte Ireland launched a new five-year plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in North Kerry and West Clare (Cliff Coast) at Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, Tralee, Co. Kerry. The Cliff Coast Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) aims to create a sustainable tourism destination by extending the tourism season and spreading business across all parts of the region over the next five years.
Photo: Don MacMonagle
Further info: Catherine Whelan
Press Release:
Thursday 20th February 2025
Fáilte Ireland launches new 5-year tourism development plan for North Kerry and West Clare
Fáilte Ireland has today launched a new five-year plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in North Kerry and West Clare (Cliff Coast) at Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
The Cliff Coast Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) aims to create a sustainable tourism destination by extending the tourism season and spreading business across all parts of the region over the next five years.
Key stakeholders in the area were consulted and contributed to the plan including Kerry County Council, Clare County Council, Irish Hotels Federation, LEADER, local tourism groups and local tourism operators and networks.
The development of the five-year plan provides a shared vision and clear direction towards improved development, strengthening the promotion of the area’s unique features by growing the destination’s market share through the delivery of Priority Projects and hero experiences that seek to maximise the key strengths of the area.
The plan builds on a number of existing projects that will bring local experiences to life which includes developing a coastal adventure hub to provide an international coastal tourism activity centre of excellence; enhancing key attractions like Loop Head Lighthouse, Vandeleur Walled Gardens, Scattery Island and Fenit; and working with Local Authorities to develop and enhance greenways in north Kerry and west Clare. The DEDP also aims to increase tourism revenue, visitor dispersion and season extension in the Southern half of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Speaking at the launch, Director of Regional Development at Fáilte Ireland, Paul Keeley said:
“This five-year Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) captures the unique themes that are central to North Kerry and West Clare and features key priority projects which will transform the tourism offering across the region.
Developing key attractions like Loop Head Lighthouse and Scattery Island, working with our partners in the Local Authorities to develop and enhance greenways, along with a brand-new coastal adventure hub will further strengthen North Kerry and West Clare’s reputation as an internationally compelling destination along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Fáilte Ireland is committed to and focused on the sustainable development of tourism across Ireland which is an important economic driver and source of employment. We are confident that this DEDP has the potential to further increase North Kerry and West Clare’s domestic and international appeal, and grow the visitor economy to create sustainable, high-quality jobs in the sector that will serve to support and strengthen local communities.”
Cliff Coast DEDP Co-Chairs, Thys Vogels (Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa) and Joe Russell (Trump International Golf Links) said:
“The Wild Atlantic Way continues to be a phenomenal success, and we are excited to roll out this ambitious plan for the Cliff Coast. The actions within this plan will ultimately strengthen the local communities living in these areas. As Co-Chairs we are delighted to work alongside a committed cross section of industry leaders in the execution of it. Together with representatives of the tourism and hospitality sector, local authorities, and Fáilte Ireland we will do so in a collaborative way, to ensure the long-term sustainability of The Cliff Coast as a leading domestic and international destination experience.”
The Cliff Coast Destination and Experience Development Plan has been developed through a collaborative approach and will be dependent on local tourism businesses, stakeholders and local communities working with Fáilte Ireland to implement this plan over next five years. Read the full Cliff Coast Destination and Experience Development Plan here.
[ENDS]
For further information please contact:
Catherine Whelan, Fáilte Ireland catherine.whelan@failteireland.ie 087 6449572
Follow us on X @Failte_Ireland and LinkedIn Fáilte Ireland
Fáilte Ireland
As the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland’s role is to support the long-term sustainable growth in the economic, social, cultural and environmental contribution of tourism to Ireland. Tourism is of critical importance to the national economy and to regional development and employment. Pre-coronavirus, the sector generated revenue of €7.5billion annually and supported 260,000 jobs nationwide while contributing €1.7billion to the Exchequer.
We work in partnership with Government, State agencies, Local Authorities, representative groups and industry, to develop tourism across Ireland by creating destination development plans and networks, investing in infrastructure, activities, visitor attractions and festivals. Fáilte Ireland also provides consumer and buyer insights, mentoring, business supports and training programmes and buyer platforms to help tourism businesses innovate and grow.
In addition, Fáilte Ireland supports Business Tourism, managing the bidding for and securing of larger conferences, meetings and events to be hosted in Ireland.
We are also responsible for domestic holiday marketing across four regional experience brands: Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Dublin.
Paul Keely, Director, Regional Development, Failte Ireland in front with Miriam Kennedy, Fáilte Ireland, Head of Wild Atlantic Way, Niamh O’ Sullivan, Director of Services, Kerry County Council and Alan Farrell, Deputy CEO, Clare County Council pictured as Fáilte Ireland launched a new five-year plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in North Kerry and West Clare (Cliff Coast) at Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Fáilte Ireland has today launched a new five-year plan that will help drive and sustain tourism in North Kerry and West Clare (Cliff Coast) at Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, Tralee, Co. Kerry.
The Cliff Coast Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) aims to create a sustainable tourism destination by extending the tourism season and spreading business across all parts of the region over the next five years.
Key stakeholders in the area were consulted and contributed to the plan including Kerry County Council, Clare County Council, Irish Hotels Federation, LEADER, local tourism groups and local tourism operators and networks.
The development of the five-year plan provides a shared vision and clear direction towards improved development, strengthening the promotion of the area’s unique features by growing the destination’s market share through the delivery of Priority Projects and hero experiences that seek to maximise the key strengths of the area.
The plan builds on a number of existing projects that will bring local experiences to life which includes developing a coastal adventure hub to provide an international coastal tourism activity centre of excellence; enhancing key attractions like Loop Head Lighthouse, Vandeleur Walled Gardens, Scattery Island and Fenit; and working with Local Authorities to develop and enhance greenways in north Kerry and west Clare. The DEDP also aims to increase tourism revenue, visitor dispersion and season extension in the Southern half of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Speaking at the launch, Director of Regional Development at Fáilte Ireland, Paul Keeley said:
“This five-year Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) captures the unique themes that are central to North Kerry and West Clare and features key priority projects which will transform the tourism offering across the region.
Developing key attractions like Loop Head Lighthouse and Scattery Island, working with our partners in the Local Authorities to develop and enhance greenways, along with a brand-new coastal adventure hub will further strengthen North Kerry and West Clare’s reputation as an internationally compelling destination along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Fáilte Ireland is committed to and focused on the sustainable development of tourism across Ireland which is an important economic driver and source of employment. We are confident that this DEDP has the potential to further increase North Kerry and West Clare’s domestic and international appeal, and grow the visitor economy to create sustainable, high-quality jobs in the sector that will serve to support and strengthen local communities.”
Cliff Coast DEDP Co-Chairs, Thys Vogels (Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa) and Joe Russell (Trump International Golf Links) said:
“The Wild Atlantic Way continues to be a phenomenal success, and we are excited to roll out this ambitious plan for the Cliff Coast. The actions within this plan will ultimately strengthen the local communities living in these areas. As Co-Chairs we are delighted to work alongside a committed cross section of industry leaders in the execution of it. Together with representatives of the tourism and hospitality sector, local authorities, and Fáilte Ireland we will do so in a collaborative way, to ensure the long-term sustainability of The Cliff Coast as a leading domestic and international destination experience.”
Loop Head Lighthouse is situated on the scenic Loop Head peninsula in County Clare and a Signature Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way.
The Cliff Coast Destination and Experience Development Plan has been developed through a collaborative approach and will be dependent on local tourism businesses, stakeholders and local communities working with Fáilte Ireland to implement this plan over next five years. Read the full Cliff Coast Destination and Experience Development Plan here.
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