Some 13 agri-food tourism projects to promote and develop agri-food tourism projects in rural areas have been allocated €445,000 by the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed.

The projects that will receive the funding this year from his Department, under the Commission for the Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) Rural Innovation and Development Fund.

Speaking after the announcement, Minister Creed said that he is pleased to support a number of exciting initiatives across the country in the growing area of tourism linked to agriculture and food.

“Agri-food tourism provides an important focus for rural areas to showcase their landscape, history and culture through agricultural produce, food and drink, and local cuisine.”

It provides opportunities for farmers, producers and artisans to develop their market produce and brands, connect with the community and visitors to an area, and improve skills and best practice all within the wider backdrop of tourism.

“The synergies between agri-food and local tourism were highlighted in Food Wise 2025, and I am confident that providing funding for these projects developed by local authorities will bring significant opportunities for local communities,” he said.

The agri-food tourism projects also encompass local food, farmer and artisan market schemes that support local and seasonal food producers and artisan crafts.

Agri-food tourism broadly is the practice of touring rural areas to visit areas of well-known agricultural produce and to sample and taste the local or regional produce or cuisine.

It includes a wide variety of activities that may also involve staying on farm, participation in agricultural endeavours or buying produce direct from a farm or market.

A call for proposals was issued for agri- tourism schemes, which may also include local markets.

The applications received (13) were assessed by an Evaluation Committee (comprising of members from the Department of Agriculture, Bord Bia and Failte Ireland) as part of a competitive process.

Part funding, based on vouched expenditure, has been made available to the following successful projects:

  • Carlow CC – Food and Craft Tourism Project – Promote, brand area as destination for agri-tourism. (€32,503)
  • Meath CC – Boyne Valley Food Series – Develop the food series brand and markets. (€6,580)
  • Waterford CC – The Waterford Food Story – Develop experiences and networks. (€29,575)
  • Donegal CC – Donegal’s Atlantic Coastal Trail – Develop training, promote trail and improve brand. (€21,450)
  • Monaghan CC – Artisan, Food and Craft Producer Support – Promote and support networks and training for producers. (€24,465)
  • Kilkenny CC – Taste Kilkenny – To develop food network for producers, brands. (€50,400)
  • Sligo CC – Sligo Food Trail – To develop networks, training and promotion. (€52,497)
  • Tipperary CC – A Taste of Tipperary – To develop a trail, support producers, promote agri-food. (€35,629)
  • Kerry CC – Taste Kerry – To establish networks, directory, website and branding. (€37,310)
  • Wexford CC – Enniscorthy Food Tourism Project – Develop area as food-tourism destination. (€36,530)
  • Roscommon CC – Jail Quarter Market – To develop food tourism strategy. (€20,800)
  • Longford CC – Taste of the Lakelands – To promote/develop Loch Ree as a food destination. (€67,200)
  • Donegal CC (LEO) – Food Coast Strategy – Develop experiences, networks, initiate feasibility study. (€19,500).