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INTTEREG IVA – Marine Tourism and Angling Development

Loughs Agency secured €3.7m of funding from the European Union INTERREG IVA programme.

Between 2011 and 2015, the Agency implemented the Marine Tourism and Angling Development project across the Foyle and Carlingford regions. Project partners included Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners, Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Strabane District Council, Derry City Council, Donegal County Council, Louth County Council, Limavady Borough Council and Newry and Mourne District Council.

General aims:

The overall aim of the Interreg programme was to develop and promote marine tourism, water based leisure activity, angling tourism and recreational angling in the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency achieved this by implementing a range of sub-projects under the following four themes:

  • Access Infrastructure
  • Angling
  • Development/Skills Training
  • Marketing & Communications

Objectives:

The project’s objectives included:-

  • Develop boating access infrastructure
  • Provide facilities for visitors
  • Sensitively deliver environmental education and interpretation
  • Raise visitor awareness of the marine environment
  • Enhance habitat and develop angling infrastructure
  • Develop e-commerce based licensing for the angling sector

Projects

Foyle Marina

This is an amalgam of two elements – the Marine Event Platform (or pontoon) and City Centre Cruise Ship Berth. Working in partnership with the Loughs Agency, Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners completed these two elements on the River Foyle in the centre of Derry in June 2012.   The official opening of the Foyle Marina took place on Friday 23rd November 2012. The Marina was opened by Mr Paul Brush head of DETI’s European Support. Other speakers at the event included Tarlach O Crosain (Loughs Agency), Mr Brian McGrath (Chief executive of Foyle Port), Lorraine McCourt (SEUPB) and Sam Parker (Clipper Ventures).

Backwater River Foyle

This project provided exemplar angler access to the River Foyle. Works included stiles, fencing, and in-stream habitat work.

Benone Strand Beach Activity Centre

Limavady Borough Council were the project partner at Benone. The project included toilets and changing facilities, shelter, board walk across dunes and SuDS car parking. The project enabled better management of visitors in this dune and beach habitat.

Mellon Beat, River Strule

This project enhanced the habitat and developed the angling infrastructure of the Mellon Beat on the River Strule, near Omagh. Works included fencing, stiles, in-stream habitat work and car parking.

Malin Head, County Donegal

Malin Head, the most northerly point on the Irish mainland, is located on the Inishowen Peninsula in a part of Donegal which is famous for its rugged coastal scenery and lovely beaches. The area boasts spectacular scenery, has a rich maritime heritage and is of geological and environmental importance. Working in partnership with Donegal County Council, this project sensitively delivered environmental education and interpretation at Malin Head and established a footpath and a viewing platform, as well as passing places on the narrow access road.

Gribben Quay, River Foyle

The Gribben Quay project is located on the River Foyle, near Bready, Strabane. Gribben Quay is on the eastern shore of the River Foyle (County Tyrone), located 2km from Bready and St Johnston (on the Donegal bank of the Foyle). It lies almost half way between the population centres of Londonderry and Strabane/Lifford. The project employed managed access to the River Foyle, aiding sustainable development of this natural resource. Facilities improvements included a slipway, jetty and small car park.

 

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

21 April 1926 to 8 September 2022