The Wicklow Eco Trail Festival has been awarded €90,000 in funding under Fáilte Ireland’s new Strategic Festival Tourism Portfolio. The initiative allocates €3.9m to 38 festivals nationwide, aiming to promote authentic, off-season tourism, strengthen local businesses, and support Ireland’s 210,000 tourism jobs.
€90,000 in funding has been allocated to support the Wicklow Eco Trail Festival as part of Fáilte Ireland’s newly launched Strategic Festival Tourism Portfolio.
The nationwide initiative, revealed earlier today by Minister Peter Burke, will provide multi-year support to 38 festivals across Ireland over the next three years.
The Wicklow Eco Trail Festival—an annual trail-running event that champions sustainability and outdoor recreation in County Wicklow—will receive €90,000 in funding spread across this year and the following two years.
Welcoming the announcement, Tánaiste Harris said the investment will help strengthen the festival’s presence and long-term impact:
“I am delighted to confirm that the Wicklow Eco Trail Festival, a trail-running event promoting sustainability in Wicklow, will benefit from Fáilte Ireland funding amounting to €90,000.
Even better is that this funding will be an annual grant this year and for the next two years, allowing the profile of the festival to be built and grown over the coming period, providing key support to the local economy and cementing the festival into the calendar of key annual events.”
He added that the government’s investment in authentic, locally rooted tourism experiences is intended to encourage visitors—both domestic and international—to travel during off-peak seasons:
“This government investment in authentic, local tourism will attract both local and international visitors to Wicklow to stay overnight and enjoy what we have to offer, with a focus on festivals held outside the summer season when the sector is usually quieter.”
Across Ireland, €3.9 million has been committed to support 38 festivals through this initiative. According to Harris, the funding will play an important role in promoting Irish culture while bolstering regional economies:
“This investment will not only showcase Ireland’s rich culture and creativity but will also deliver real economic benefits for communities and our SMEs across the country. By attracting visitors from home and abroad, these events will help to strengthen local businesses, support the 210,000 tourism jobs in our economy and enhance the competitiveness of our destinations.”
About the Wicklow Eco Trail Festival
The Wicklow Eco Trail Festival is a trail-running event designed to highlight Wicklow’s natural beauty while promoting environmental sustainability.
The event has steadily grown in popularity, drawing participants who value both outdoor adventure and eco-friendly practices.
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