08/02/2002
EU projects aids local farmers diversify into tourism
An innovative project funded by the EU Interred II programme has helped 30 farmers in the Carlingford and Strangford Lough areas diversify from farming to the tourism industry.
Due to falling incomes in the farming industry, the farmers have come together under 'Project Fjiordland' to develop a range of tourism-based projects. The project is based around the concept of marketing Carlingford and Strangford as 'Irish Fjiords'.
One example of this is Jim Lindsay who converted his 100-acre arable farm into an eighteen-hole golf course with overlooks Strangford Lough. The golf course now has over 300 members, with a restaurant and a bar facility.
Jack O'Connor of the Special EU Programmes Body, who administer the Interreg Programme, said: "This is an excellent example of how funding from Interreg has helped develop a cross-border tourism marketing initiative. It has helped farmers diversify into a new industry, and created an infrastructure where thousands of tourists can come and enjoy the countryside in both Counties Down and Louth."
Other farmers have diversified and now offer self-catering accommodation, fishing, horse riding and photography holidays.
The farmers are now computer literate and their website at gets 30,000 hits a month. (MB)
Due to falling incomes in the farming industry, the farmers have come together under 'Project Fjiordland' to develop a range of tourism-based projects. The project is based around the concept of marketing Carlingford and Strangford as 'Irish Fjiords'.
One example of this is Jim Lindsay who converted his 100-acre arable farm into an eighteen-hole golf course with overlooks Strangford Lough. The golf course now has over 300 members, with a restaurant and a bar facility.
Jack O'Connor of the Special EU Programmes Body, who administer the Interreg Programme, said: "This is an excellent example of how funding from Interreg has helped develop a cross-border tourism marketing initiative. It has helped farmers diversify into a new industry, and created an infrastructure where thousands of tourists can come and enjoy the countryside in both Counties Down and Louth."
Other farmers have diversified and now offer self-catering accommodation, fishing, horse riding and photography holidays.
The farmers are now computer literate and their website at gets 30,000 hits a month. (MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.