Council seeks applications to boost tourist numbers to County
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Council seeks applications to boost tourist numbers to County
This weekend sees the first of a number of martial arts events to take place in South Dublin County over the next few months. First up is the Irish Open International, a martial arts tournament attracting over 3,500 competitors from 40 nations which will be held over 3 days (4th to 6th March) in Citywest Hotel & Convention Centre in Saggart. The Japan Karate Association European Championships 2016 takes place in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght from the 31st March to the 2nd April with competitors, delegates and spectators expected from 34 countries, whilst over 2,000 visitors from around the world are expected to descend on Citywest Conference Centre between 15th and 19th of June, for the WUKF World Karate Championships, which has been brought to Ireland for the first time by the Amateur Marital Arts Association of Ireland (AMA Ireland)
“Last year AMA Ireland was awarded €3,000 from South Dublin County Council under the Community Tourism Diaspora Initiative” said Sean O’Brien, Tallaght based President of AMA Ireland. “We received the funding for the 1st AMA Ireland Open International Karate Championships 2015 which was held in the National Basketball Arena in August last year. The event was a great success with teams from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Romania along with clubs and associations from Dublin competing. We were delighted to be able to apply for the Community Tourism Diaspora Scheme last year, and I can say many of last year’s attendees will be returning to Tallaght this year”.
South Dublin County Council recently launched the 2016 round of the Community Tourism Diaspora Initiative. The initiative builds on the community involvement legacy of The Gathering 2013 and is a joint partnership between South Dublin County Council, IPB Insurance and Fáilte Ireland. It aims to support local community-based events and festivals each year which attract overseas visitors to South Dublin County. Last year, a total of €9,000 was granted to supportlocal events in South Dublin, attracting up to 380visitors from overseas.
“I welcome the continuation of this initiative”, said Daniel McLoughlin Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council “and I would urge anyone out there with a good idea or interesting event, which would help us to reach out to the diaspora, to get in touch with us and make an application”
Closing date for receipt of applications is 11th March, 2016. Interested parties are advised to visit http://www.sdcc.ie/news/community-tourism-diaspora-initiative or e-mail econdev@sdublincoco.ie to apply.
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