SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter has welcomed funding to connect the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route.

€7.6m funding from the Irish Government’s Shared Island Unit was announced for the project as part of a tourism marketing initiative.

Ms Hunter said the move would be a huge boost to the North Coast’s tourism offering.

East Derry MLA Ms Hunter said:

“I’m delighted that Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced funding to link the Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route through the Shared Island Unit. This is something the SDLP and people in this area have long campaigned for, recognising the potential benefits to our tourism sector when we work together and highlight everything our island has to offer.

“We are so lucky on this island to have some of the most beautiful coastline found anywhere. The Causeway Coastal Route is famous for its fantastic views, beaches, seaside towns and villages and it perfectly complements the Wild Atlantic Way in providing people with a fantastic experience while travelling around Ireland, exploring what we have to offer and our wonderful natural resources.

“Our tourism offering is a focal point of life in this area, we have built on the success of the Open at Portrush and look forward to its return and the extension of the Wild Atlantic Way will allow us to keep growing in the future. Tourism is so important to our economy, bringing much needed investment and jobs and today’s announcement is a real opportunity to expand cross border cooperation when it comes to our tourism industry and we need to grab it with both hands.”