Ballyhoura Development are running a training course for farm families who would like to set up an alternative enterprise on their farm.
The training course, titled ‘On-Farm Business Ideas’ will feature inputs from Paul McCarthy, Teagasc advisor and star of RTÉ’s programme Higher Ground and will start on November 19th 2009 for five consecutive Thursday afternoons.
Ballyhoura Development have pledged nearly €1.5 million to help rural enterprises between 2009 and 2013 through funding under the Rural Development Programme, and have earmarked an extra €350,000 specifically for on-farm businesses. This training course is designed to help farm families to access this funding and pursue profitable on-farm enterprises.
Further details at http://ballyhoura.wordpress.com/farmbusinesscourse
or from Thomas Bibby: tbibby@ballyhoura.org
Comments are open at the bottom for you to add your thoughts. Any and all input welcomed.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Interested in Rural Tourism as a community driven project. Any help or advice warmly recieved
Hi James,
The current LEADER Programme has funding support for Rural Tourism projects. Within the Rural Development Programme there is a measure known as ‘Encouragement Of Tourism Activities’, which is administered by LEADER companies, with the objective
The following are eligible for funding.
In general, funding for such projects has a ceiling of €150,000, however, exceptional community projects may qualify for a higher grant.
I suggest you contact your local LEADER company who will be able to assist you further. If you have any other queries please don’t hesitate in leaving an additional comment.
Kind regards,
John
Hi James,
Ballyhoura Fáilte started in the late 1980’s as a community-driven response to attract visitors to the Ballyhoura area (South and East Limerick, North East Cork). You can view more information about our area at http://www.ballyhouracountry.com
Tourism can be a great way of revitalising a rural area by providing employment and a market for services.
As John says, your best place to start is your local LEADER Group. If you reply to this comment and tell us where you are based, we can give you the contact details.
One of the challenges with community-based tourism, particularly if you are not in an ‘obvious’ tourism destination, is to take a cold hard look at your area and why tourists would visit there. For us, we identified adventure tourism (mountain biking, etc.) as an area where we could become a world class destination.
Hope that’s of some help,
Thomas.
Thanks Thomas,
Although idea still in infancy-based just outside Donegal Town,underneath the Blue Stack Mts. Masses of potential but sadly overlooked and underdeveloped
Hi James,
The relevant people you need to talk to is the Donegal Local Development Company: http://www.dldc.org/
You also may get some inspiration from the Teagasc website and their information on rural tourism:
http://www.teagasc.ie/ruraldev/progs/rural_tourism/
The best of luck!
Thomas.
Thomas,
Thanks very much for all your comments.
John
No problems John!