Fáilte Ireland today announced the three Irish finalists of this year’s EDEN (European Destination of Excellence) competition to find the destination in Ireland which has best used its local tangible cultural assets to grow visitor numbers. EDEN is an EU project promoting sustainable tourism development across the European Union and is held every two years in 29 member states.  The three Irish finalists this year are the Ceide Coast, Mayo, The Norman Way Wexford, and Scattery Island, Clare. The overall winner will be announced at the end of September.

 

The theme of the 2017 EU-wide EDEN competition is “Tangible Cultural Tourism” and the three Irish finalists are now preparing for on-site assessments during the week of Monday 4^th September when they will be visited by a panel of expert adjudicators.  Tangible cultural assets can include such features as traditional historical or archaeological monuments/sites, industrial sites, museums, theatres, galleries, contemporary architectural sites and modern urban districts of towns.

 

The assessment of the finalists will allow each one an opportunity to provide further evidence to show how they are balancing their own tangible cultural assets with the local environment to develop a viable tourism destination.

 

Commenting on the competition, Paddy Mathews, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Investment & Innovation, said:

“We are delighted to announce the three Irish finalists shortlisted in this year’s EDEN competition. Each of these applicants has clearly demonstrated the best examples of how tangible cultural assets have been used to benefit both tourists and local communities.

 

“Ireland has long been recognised for the richness of its cultural heritage which is of critical importance to our attractiveness to visitors. We have over 5,000 years of material culture which tells an exciting and engaging story for our visitors. Communities across Ireland are fiercely proud of their heritage and culture and many have harnessed these assets through tourism to deliver real social and economic benefits for their local areas.”

 

The 2017 winning destination will receive marketing assistance in the form of a dedicated photo shoot of the destination – as well as a certificate of achievement. Also, the EU will profile the winning destination from each Member State on www.edenineurope.eu and will offer each winning destination, participation in the EU EDEN network.

 

Commenting on Ceide Coast Mayo getting short listed, Anne-Marie Flynn, Mayo North Promotions Office, said:

“We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for the 2017 EDEN Award. The Ceide Coast from Ballina to Belderrig tells a story of 6,000 years of history, tangible throughout our breathtaking landscape. Uncovering North Mayo’s heritage and bringing it to life forms a strong part of our visitor experience, and we are really excited about sharing our story and showcasing our beautiful area to the judges in early September.”

 

EDEN is an EU project promoting sustainable tourism development across the European Union and is currently held every two years in 29 member states.  Previous Irish winners include the Burren Food Trail (Tourism & Local Gastronomy), the Great Western Greenway (Tourism & the Regeneration of Physical Sites) and Loop Head (Aquatic Tourism).

 

Further information on the Ceide Coast at www.northmayo.ie/the-ceide-coast/

Further information on EDEN competition: 

The aim of the EDEN project is to draw attention to the value, diversity and shared characteristics of European tourist destinations and to promote destinations where economic growth is pursued in such a way as to ensure the social, cultural and environmental sustainability of tourism.

 

Eligible destinations will be those where the visitor density is low; where the tourism product has been developed using local and regional cultural assets while protecting the environment and meeting the needs of visitors and local residents; and where the tourism offer is managed in such a way as to ensure its social, cultural and environmental sustainability.

 

Fáilte Ireland has appointed a panel of adjudicators to select the top destinations and the overall winner.  The evaluation process will short-list the top three applications for on-site assessments during the week beginning 4^th September 2017.  This assessment will allow each shortlisted applicant an opportunity to provide further evidence of their Tangible Cultural Tourism destination of excellence.