Construction begins on €1.2million water sports facility in Tipperary

Construction has started on the new €1.2million Water Sports Facility in Dromineer, Co. Tipperary. Developed by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Tipperary County Council, this best-in-class outdoor tourism amenity aims to enhance the visitor experience and serve as a central hub for outdoor activities in Tipperary.

The new Water Sports Facility at Dromineer will help extend the outdoor tourism season by providing year-round hot showers, changing rooms, toilets, secure storage, and induction space. Accessibility and sustainability will be key focus points for the project, ensuring full wheelchair access and the installation of solar heating panels. It will also feature a Changing Places facility along with an accessible toilet.

Visiting the site, Sinéad Carr, Chief Executive of Tipperary County Council said:
"We are delighted to partner with Fáilte Ireland in the provision of best-in-class facilities here in Dromineer which is an important tourism destination on Lough Derg. We are confident that this investment will benefit Dromineer, Tipperary and the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands Region through the provision of facilities which are accessible and sustainable thus improving the visitor experience, helping to attract increased footfall and benefiting the local economy”.

Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Cllr. John Carroll said:
"Tipperary is rightly proud of the many towns and villages situated on Lough Derg which are enjoyed by local residents and visitors from home and abroad. Over the years, Tipperary County Council has worked with other stakeholders to improve the offering available in centres around the Lake. This project, which will deliver a new Water Sports Facility in Dromineer, is another step in our journey in ensuring that appropriate facilities are available. I would like to thank all involved in getting the project to where it is today, particularly Fáilte Ireland for developing the concept and exemplar design and providing the funding, the staff of Tipperary County Council, the consultants and the contractors and wish all the best of luck with completion of the project”.

Head of Activities at Fáilte Ireland, Fiona Monaghan said:
“Fáilte Ireland is committed to the sustainable development of tourism and enhancing the visitor experience, particularly in regional areas. Today marks the beginning of the journey in developing a fantastic new tourism amenity that will help strengthen the outdoor tourism offering in Co. Tipperary. The Shannon and Lough Derg are an important part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, with so much potential to attract both international and domestic visitors. We look forward to working with Tipperary County Council to develop this best-in-class Water Sports Facility that will benefit both visitors and the local community while helping extend the outdoor activity season in the area.”

This project is part of Fáilte Ireland’s Platforms for Growth Scheme, funded under the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 strategy. The first Fáilte Ireland investment scheme of its kind, it specifically targets ‘platforms’ or projects that have the greatest potential to grow tourism across Ireland and strategically enhance the Irish tourism offering to meet visitor needs. Dromineer is the 6th Water Sports Activity Facility to begin construction under this scheme with a total of 19 facilities to be developed across 13 counties.