Minister Heydon announces €300,000 offered in funding for Agri-Food Tourism projects
- Published on: 15 May 2026
- Last updated on: 15 May 2026
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has announced that funding offers have been sent out to the successful projects under the 2026 Agri-Food Tourism programme. The funding is a part of the 2026 Rural Innovation and Development Fund operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Minister Heydon said:
“I am delighted to announce that all successful projects under the Agri-Food Tourism call for proposals have been sent their offers of funding following a highly competitive evaluation process.”
Minister Heydon added that:
“The exceptional quality of applications reflects the great interest that this scheme engenders across the country from local groups and individuals who are dedicated to advancing Agri-Food Tourism to enable rural communities to make best use of their amazing people, landscape, history, culture and food. By optimising the synergy of agricultural produce, food, drink and local cuisine with tourism endeavours, I believe that our rural communities can put in place stable foundations upon which additional entrepreneurial endeavours can flourish in the fast-growing Agri-Food tourism sector.”
The Minister highlighted that:
“Agri-Food Tourism is a great opportunity for all rural communities especially local businesses, farmers, producers and artisans.”
Minister Heydon congratulated all projects offered funding in this year’s Agri-Food Tourism programme, saying:
“The high quality of the proposals this year has led to unprecedented competition, and I would like to acknowledge the significant time and effort required to submit a proposal, and to commend their dedication and commitment.”
“I am confident that all of the projects will be great ambassadors for promoting the wonderful food that our rural communities produce.”
Notes
Agri-food tourism broadly, is the practice of offering an activity or activities as part of a visit to areas of well-known agricultural produce and to sample and taste the local or regional cuisine or specialties. Agri-food tourism includes a wide variety of activities that involve the links between agriculture and the food produced at the local or regional level. It may involve staying on farm or touring food trails and events, participation in agricultural endeavours or buying produce direct from a farm or market. Agri-food tourism also encompasses local food, farmer and artisan market schemes that support and are paired with local and seasonal food producers and artisan crafts.
Funding has been made available to the following successful initiatives:
|
Oakfield Park, Co. Donegal |
€25,000 |
|
Wild Acres, Co. Wicklow |
€14,840 |
|
Taste of Sligo Food Festival, Co. Sligo |
€20,300 |
|
Inisturk Seafest, Co. Mayo |
€17,350 |
|
Skibbereen & District Chamber, Co. Cork |
€4,900 |
|
Boyne Valley Food Heroes, Co. Meath |
€11,970 |
|
Monaghan Co Council, Co. Monaghan |
€14,000 |
|
Wicklow Naturally, Co. Wicklow |
€15,050 |
|
Sustainable Projects Irl, Co. Tipperary |
€14,700 |
|
Irish National Stud Commercial Ent, Co. Kildare |
€17,500 |
|
Waterford Co Festival of Food, Co. Waterford |
€25,000 |
|
Ballybunion Community Forum, Co. Kerry |
€17,200 |
|
The Cottage Market, Co. Cavan |
€11,900 |
|
Midleton & Area Chamber, Co. Cork |
€10,000 |
|
Comharachumann Forbartha Mhuscrai, Co. Cork |
€9,445 |
Successful Projects to be Part Funded:
|
Kildare Co Council (Athy Mkt), Co. Kildare |
€12,800 |
|
Boyne Valley Samhain Fest (Ella Ryan), Co. Meath |
€12,800 |
|
Cavan Co Council Cavan Food Network, Co. Cavan |
€12,800 |
|
Cromane Seafest, Co. Kerry |
€12,800 |
|
Mount Briscoe Organic Farm, Co. Offaly |
€10,000 |
|
Midlands Flavours Pavillion, Co. Offaly |
€10,000 |