Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has announced a call for proposals for Agri-Food Tourism Initiatives under the 2026 Rural Innovation and Development Fund, which is managed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The initiative aims to strengthen connections between local food production and tourism, supporting business development, marketing, and the promotion of food and drink visitor attractions in line with the Department’s Food Vision 2030 strategy.
Minister Heydon highlighted the importance of the agri-food sector as a key driver of Ireland’s economy, particularly in rural and coastal communities. He emphasized that the funding will help rural businesses develop their products and services, engage with local communities and visitors, and enhance the overall rural experience. The total funding available is almost €300,000, with a maximum grant of €25,000 per project.
The Minister noted that the 2025 programme supported successful initiatives such as Cromane Seafest, Taste of Sligo Food Festival, and Wildacres Honey Tour. He encouraged applicants to build on these achievements in 2026 by developing new projects and enriching existing experiences. Applications must be submitted via the Department’s official application form by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
Agri-food tourism encompasses a wide range of activities that connect visitors with local agriculture and food production. This can include farm stays, food trails and festivals, participation in agricultural activities, and direct purchase of local produce. It also supports farmer and artisan markets, seasonal food events, and initiatives that strengthen the visibility and economic impact of local producers.
The 2025 programme funded a diverse range of projects across Ireland, both fully and partially. Fully funded projects included Cromane Seafest in Kerry (€25,000), Wildacres Honey Tour in Wicklow (€14,630), Taste of Inishturk in Mayo (€16,800), and several others across counties Limerick, Meath, Donegal, Galway, Laois, and Offaly. Partially funded projects included initiatives by county councils and local food networks in Cavan, Tipperary, Kilkenny, Monaghan, Waterford, and Meath, each receiving €10,000 to promote food tourism and related events.
The scheme provides a competitive funding process to help ensure that innovative and impactful projects receive support, contributing to the growth of Ireland’s rural economy and enhancing the visibility of its agri-food sector.
