28-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Meath projects awarded over €33,000 in agri-food tourism funding
The Boyne Valley Food Heroes, the Boyne Valley School of Food Culture (Samhain Festival), and Elmgrove Flower Farm's Daffodil Festival in Gormanston are among 21 projects to benefit from funding under the Department's 2025 Rural Innovation and Development Fund.
Local councillor, Emer Tóibín said: 'These businesses play a vital role in celebrating our landscape, heritage, and local produce, while driving rural enterprise and community connection. Agri-food tourism continues to be a powerful force for good, showcasing the people, places, and unique flavours of Meath, while supporting farmers, food producers, and local artisans.'
Speaking on the funding, Minister Heydon said he was delighted to support the successful projects following this year's agri-food tourism tender process.
Mr Heydon said: 'The great geographical spread of the projects this year illustrates the interest in the sector, the development of agri-food tourism and its importance to communities throughout the country. Our 10-year roadmap for the agriculture sector, Food Vision 2030, highlights the natural synergy between agri-food and local tourism.'
He added: 'Agri-food tourism in rural areas allows our great food companies of all sizes to showcase their people, landscape, history and culture through agricultural produce, food and drink and local cuisine. In addition, it provides opportunities for rural businesses, including farmers, producers and artisans to develop their products and services, diversify their businesses, connect with the local community, welcome visitors and improve skills and best practice.'
The Meath projects were awarded: Boyne Valley Food Heroes – €13,317 (fully funded), Elmgrove Flower Farm – Daffodil Festival 2026 – €10,000 (part-funded), and Boyne Valley School of Food Culture – Samhain Festival – €10,000 (part-funded)
Meanwhile Minister of State with responsibility for Food Promotion, Noel Grealish TD, said: 'The large volume of applications submitted shows the appetite that this sector has for innovative and collaborative ventures in this sphere.'
