More than €100,000 in grant aid has been allocated to projects supporting the seafood sector and coastal communities in the west of Ireland.
The funding for projects in the West of Ireland is part of €558,039 awarded to 33 local community groups and micro enterprises by Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue this week.
This is the third tranche of funding for Ireland’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme (EMFF) supporting seafood industry and the developing attractions in coastal communities.
Some of the Galway projects supported in the funding announced this week includes €17,021 to help develop a cultural centre at Oranmore Castle, €6,984 for glamping and camping on Inis Oírr, and €12,953 for the Cuan Beo campaign supporting sustainable usage of Galway Bay.
The money is allocated through the Fisheries Local Action Groups which were created for the EMFF. In total, €3.3 million in FLAG funding has now been awarded to 188 projects this year.
Minister McConalogue said, “These projects will provide valuable economic and social benefits to our coastal communities during a difficult period for many.”
FLAG West distributed a total of €106,508.70 in grant aid to nine projects. The projects funded in the west are:
| FLAG West | ||||
| Applicant | Project Title | Rate | Total Cost | Grant Aid |
| J & S Ocean Products | Upgrading Processing Equipment | 80% | 16,549.00 | 13,239.20 |
| Séamus Ó Flatharta | Inis Oírr Glamping and Campsite | 40% | 17,460.00 | 6,984.00 |
| Oranmore Castle | Oranmore Castle Cultural Centre | 40% | 42,553.21 | 17,021.28 |
| Calluragh House Concerts | Workshop Improvements | 40% | 7,801.00 | 3,120.40 |
| Loop Head Tourism Ltd | Development of the tourism product on Loop Head peninsula which will have a positive effect on the local communities | 80% | 4,900.00 | 3,920.00 |
| Cuan Beo CLG | Cuan Beo – Implementing a holistic approach to sustainability in Galway Bay 2020 | 80% | 16,191.55 | 12,953.24 |
| Spiddal Craft & Design Centre | Online marketing campaign | 80% | 6,500.00 | 5,200.00 |
| Owen O Connell | Training | 50% | 2,000.00 | 1,000.00 |
| Údarás na Gaeltachta | Slí Chonamara Trail | 100% | 43,070.58 | 43,070.58 |
| Total | 157,025.34 | 106,508.70 |
