New Irish Government set to continue shared island funding
The new administration in Dublin has allocated €50 million in new funding to the Shared Island Initiative over the next five years, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD proclaiming that the Irish Government “will continue to deepen our Good Friday Agreement partnerships with the Northern Ireland Executive and with the UK Government”.
On 10 April 2025, the Taoiseach announced that the Irish government would commit €1 billion in new funding in the period between 2025 and 2035, including approximately €50 million in new funding.
Around €23 million of the new funding has been allocated to the Shared Destinations initiative, which will support the sustainable development of three key tourism locations that span the border: Carlingford Lough, Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Geopark, and Sliabh Beagh. These projects will see major investment in visitor infrastructure, trail networks, and destination branding, ensuring that these natural assets can be enjoyed by tourists from across the island and beyond.
In Carlingford Lough, the funding has been allocated to develop a network of trailheads, trails, and water access points that will increase connectivity between tourism sites in the region. This, the Irish Government says, will be complemented by the implementation of a Destination Experience Strategy, which will promote the area as a premier cross-border visitor destination. The investment aims to leverage the benefits of the Narrow Water Bridge, currently under construction, which will provide a direct road link between County Louth and County Down, with the objective of improving access and tourism potential on both sides of the border.
At Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, funding will be used to enhance the existing trail network, creating better links between sites north and south, including the Marble Arch Caves, the Cuilcagh Boardwalk, and Cavan Burren Park. The investment aims to support the development of a new community-based visitor centre in Glangevlin, providing interpretation facilities and promoting sustainable tourism in the region.
The Sliabh Beagh region, which straddles counties Monaghan, Tyrone, and Fermanagh, will see the development of a network of walking, cycling, and equestrian trails, complete with trailheads, signage, and visitor amenities. The project aims to boost eco-tourism in the area while preserving the unique natural and cultural heritage of this border region.
Environmental restoration
A further €10 million has been earmarked for an island-wide nature restoration programme, which will see the Irish National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) working alongside the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to undertake large-scale conservation projects. This initiative will build on the successful Natura Communities project and expand efforts to restore wetlands, peatlands, and coastal habitats across the island.
The programme will focus on community-led nature restoration efforts, providing funding for local authorities and environmental groups to develop conservation projects. This will include the creation of new wetland management infrastructure, training programmes for local conservationists, and public engagement initiatives aimed at promoting long-term ecological stewardship.
A key target of the programme is the restoration of 2,000 hectares of wetlands and other key ecosystems by 2030. This will include the development of “lighthouse sites” north and south, which will serve as demonstration projects showcasing best practices in wetland restoration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management.
Speaking in April 2025 at the fourth Shared Island Forum, the Taoiseach outlined further projects his government aims to pursue in partnership with political leaders in the North, including a Derry-Dublin air corridor, offshore wind energy supporting an all-island supply and introducing a green hydrogen refuelling corridor on the Dublin to Belfast route.
He promised more collaboration on “start-ups, innovation, trade promotion and foreign direct investment”. Martin also announced his intention “to build up island-wide provision of specialist services, following on from the successful model on paediatric cardiac care in Dublin”.
