27th November 2024 – Tourism Ireland: Ireland’s Ancient East, The Blue Economy & SLC

Tourism Ireland’s Ancient East Initiative :

To counterbalance and extend the highly successful ‘Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way’, the Irish Government has developed ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’.

Overview and Performance
Launched in 2015, Ireland’s Ancient East was created as a mechanism to unify the eastern and southern regions as an internationally marketable tourism destination. According to the “Ireland’s Ancient East Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023-2027”, by 2019 the initiative had achieved:

Economic Impact:

  • Total value of €1.7bn to the regional economy
  • Supports approximately 55,200 tourism jobs
  • 55% of revenue generated by international visitors
  • 45% of revenue from domestic/island of Ireland visitors
  • 25% share of total overseas tourists to Ireland
  • 35% share of total domestic trips in Ireland

Market Performance:

  • Proven particularly compelling in Great Britain, German, French and North American markets
  • Generated 650,000 more visitors between 2017-2019
  • Strong international consumer testing results showing brand motivates visits to Ireland

Geographic Scope
The initiative covers counties across eastern and southern Ireland including:

  • Northeast: Monaghan, Louth, Meath
  • Southeast: Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny
  • Midlands: Laois, Carlow, Tipperary
  • South: Cork (partial)
  • East: Wicklow, Kildare

Strategic Focus
The 2023-2027 strategy identifies five key strategic objectives:

  1. Visitor Motivation
  • Motivate domestic and international consumers to visit
  • Build brand awareness and appeal
  • Develop distinctive destinations as attractors

2. Extended Stays

  • Provide more reasons for visitors to stay longer
  • Increase economic impact through longer visits
  • Develop full destination offerings

3. Accessibility

  • Ensure region is easy to access and navigate
  • Improve transport connectivity
  • Develop clear touring routes and itineraries

4. Industry Development

  • Build industry capacity and capability
  • Create sustainable local jobs
  • Support business growth and innovation

5. Stakeholder Partnerships

  • Build committed partnerships for development
  • Guide sustainable destination growth
  • Coordinate across all stakeholders

Product Development Priorities
The strategy focuses on developing:

  1. Heritage Assets
  • Historical sites and monuments
  • Cultural attractions
  • Living heritage experiences

2. Outdoor Recreation

  • Walking and cycling trails
  • Water-based activities
  • Adventure tourism

3. Urban Centers

  • Historic towns and cities
  • Evening economy
  • Public realm improvements

4. Food Tourism

  • Local food experiences
  • Food trails
  • Producer networks

Sustainability Focus
The strategy places strong emphasis on sustainable development through:

  1. Environmental Protection
  • Protecting natural and cultural assets
  • Reducing carbon footprint
  • Supporting biodiversity

2. Community Benefits

  • Creating sustainable local jobs
  • Supporting community enterprises
  • Protecting quality of life

3. Economic Sustainability

  • Building year-round tourism
  • Spreading benefits across region
  • Supporting small businesses

Implementation Approach
The strategy is being implemented through:

  1. Destination Plans
  • 11 Destination and Experience Development Plans across the region
  • Tailored to local needs and opportunities
  • Coordinated stakeholder delivery

2. Industry Support

  • Business development programs
  • Digital capability building
  • Network development

3. Marketing

  • Domestic and international campaigns
  • Trade engagement
  • Digital presence

This comprehensive regional tourism initiative has shown strong success in its first phase and the new strategy aims to build on this foundation while ensuring sustainable development that benefits local communities.

Sources:

  • Ireland’s Ancient East Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023-2027
  • Tourism Ireland data referenced in strategy document
  • Regional tourism statistics cited in strategy

Below is a detailed analysis of how the Tourism Ireland Ancient East Initiative could be extended into Northern Ireland through the Shared Island Initiative, with specific focus on fishing and allied industries: Route highlighted in yellow

Background:
Ireland’s Ancient East was launched in 2015 as a tourism brand to unify and market the eastern and southern regions of Ireland internationally. According to the “Ireland’s Ancient East Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023-2027”, by 2019 the initiative was worth €1.7bn to the regional economy supporting approximately 55,200 jobs, with 55% of revenue from international visitors.

Opportunities for Cross-Border Extension:
Several aspects of the existing Ireland’s Ancient East strategy align well with potential Shared Island funding for cross-border infrastructure:

  1. Maritime Infrastructure & Blue Economy
  • The strategy identifies ports and maritime infrastructure as key assets, particularly for fishing communities
  • Based on data from “Northern Ireland Transport Statistics 2020-2021” and “NIFSDP final report April 2021”, there are opportunities to develop integrated maritime infrastructure between NI and ROI ports
  • Key focus areas could include:
  • Modernization of fishing boats, ports and facilities at Kilkeel, Ardglass and Portavogie.
  • Development of seafood processing capabilities and marketing
  • Marine tourism infrastructure
  • Offshore renewable energy support facilities

2. Tourism Routes & Trails

  • The strategy emphasizes development of connected greenways and tourism trails
  • Cross-border routes could link existing Ancient East attractions with Northern Ireland sites
  • Particular potential exists in the border counties of Louth/Down and Monaghan/Armagh

3. Heritage Tourism

  • Ancient East brand focuses on 5,000 years of heritage
  • Many shared historical and cultural connections exist across the border region
  • Joint marketing of combined heritage assets could strengthen international appeal

Funding Mechanisms:
Several funding streams could support cross-border extension:

  1. Shared Island Fund
  • €500m committed by Irish Government through to 2025
  • Focus on cross-border strategic infrastructure
  • Previously supported similar tourism/heritage projects

2. PEACE PLUS Programme 2021-2027

  • €1.1bn EU program specifically supporting cross-border cooperation
  • Tourism infrastructure eligible under multiple themes

3. Rural Regeneration Development Fund

  • Supports rural economic development and tourism
  • Could complement Shared Island funding

Recommendations:

  1. Develop an integrated cross-border tourism masterplan incorporating:
  • Shared branding/marketing extending Ancient East concept
  • Infrastructure investment priorities
  • Joint development of tourism products/experiences

2. Focus initial infrastructure investment on:

  • Modernization of fishing boats and ports to support both industries
  • Development of cross-border tourism trails
  • Enhancement of visitor facilities at heritage sites

3. Establish cross-border working groups to:

  • Coordinate funding applications
  • Ensure complementary development
  • Monitor implementation

4. Prioritize projects delivering multiple benefits:

  • Tourism growth
  • Economic development
  • Community enhancement
  • Environmental sustainability

By taking an integrated approach leveraging multiple funding streams, there is significant potential to extend the successful Ireland’s Ancient East initiative northward while delivering strategic infrastructure benefiting fishing and maritime industries on both sides of the border.

The initiative aligns well with objectives outlined in both jurisdictions’ tourism strategies and economic development plans, while supporting the broader goals of increased north-south cooperation under the Shared Island framework.

In view of the above, and based on the draft business case prepared, Strangford Lough Crossing (SLC) represents a transformational opportunity to enhance regional connectivity while delivering significant economic and social benefits. The business case demonstrates the project is both viable and deliverable within the proposed timeframe to 2030.

Sources:

  • Ireland’s Ancient East Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023-2027
  • Northern Ireland Transport Statistics 2020-2021
  • Northern Ireland Fishing & Seafood Development Programme Final Report April 2021
  • Government of Ireland Shared Island Initiative documentation

Extract: below is comprehensive analysis of the Blue Economy as it relates to Ireland’s Ancient East and Northern Ireland:

Definition and Scope
The Blue Economy encompasses several interconnected maritime and coastal economic sectors, these include:

Current Active Sectors:

  1. Fishing Industry:
  • Commercial fishing fleets
  • Seafood processing
  • Fish traders and distributors

2. Maritime Services:

  • Boat building and repairs
  • Marine engineering
  • Port services
  • Fuel and supplies
  • Navigation gear

3. Offshore Support Services:

  • Guard vessel services
  • Operations & Maintenance facilities (OMF)
  • Support for wind farms, pipelines, cables

Emerging/Potential Sectors:

  1. Marine Research & Development
  2. Marine Biotechnology
  3. Aquaculture
  4. Maritime Tourism
  5. Renewable Energy

Economic Impact
Based on data from the Northern Ireland Fishing & Seafood Development Programme (NIFSDP):

  • Nearly 400 companies contribute to fishing, seafood and port sectors
  • Total turnover of £169.5 million
  • Supports 1,850 FTE jobs
  • Generates £67.3m in Gross Value Added
  • Three quarters of activity concentrated around three main fishing ports

Growth Potential
The documents identify several growth opportunities:

  1. Offshore Services:
  • Invest NI forecasts sector could double to £20m+ per annum
  • Driven by Irish Sea renewable energy developments
  • Building on established expertise and track record

2. Port Development:

  • Modernization of facilities to handle larger vessels
  • Enhanced processing capabilities
  • Support facilities for offshore industries

3. Sustainable Tourism:

  • Marine tourism development
  • Water-based activities
  • Coastal trails and attractions

4. Emerging Technologies:

  • Marine biotechnology
  • Aquaculture innovation
  • Renewable energy support

Infrastructure Needs
To realize this potential, key infrastructure requirements include:

  1. Port Facilities:
  • Increased water depths
  • Extended quaysides
  • Modern handling equipment
  • Processing facilities

2. Support Infrastructure:

  • Improved road and bridge access
  • Technical facilities
  • Training centers

3. Environmental Considerations:

  • Climate change adaptation
  • Coastal protection
  • Environmental monitoring

The documents emphasize that development of the Blue Economy requires:

  • Strategic infrastructure investment
  • Cross-sector coordination
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Skills development
  • Innovation support

This represents a significant economic opportunity but requires coordinated planning and investment to fully realize the potential.

Sources:

  • Northern Ireland Fishing & Seafood Development Programme Final Report April 2021
  • Ireland’s Ancient East Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023-2027
  • DOF 2024-0440 documents