Mayo councillors clash on response to 'embarrassing' Fáílte Ireland letter
Cllr Michael Loftus wants a strongly worded letter sent to the CEO of Fáilte Ireland but Cllr Jarlath Munnelly wants less negativity
A letter sent to north Mayo councillors from Fáilte Ireland regarding capital funding was described as an 'AI letter' and 'embarrassing' by a local councillor.
Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Loftus made the comments at the monthly meeting of the Ballina Municipal District in response to correspondence received from Fáilte Ireland relating to capital funding for the proposed flagship Céide Coastal Path
In correspondence to members of the Ballina Municipal District, Luke Murray, the Fáilte Ireland Team Manager for Mayo and Sligo stated that there was currently no funding stream for the project.
The letter from Mr Murray was as a result of previous criticism from north Mayo councillors regarding the lack of progress on the project.
Cllr Loftus told the meeting he was very disappointed with the response from Fáilte Ireland and called for the council to write to the CEO of Fáilte Ireland criticising the lack of capital funding for the project.
“I am looking for a strongly worded letter to be sent directly to the CEO of Fáilte Ireland in relation to the capital funding for that particular project because they've been sitting on their hands for so long in relation to it,” he said.
“In fairness Luke [Murray] is responsible for Mayo and he's doing his best but the response is really embarrassing. He says it's a flagship project and all this bull but it's a real AI letter if that's the right word. It now gives us no information in relation to the capital funding for these projects and that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later,” he added.
The proposed 15 kilometre coastal trail linking the Céide Fields neolithic site and visitor centre with Downpatrick Head is a catalyst project involving the local community and part of the new five-year tourism development plan for North Mayo which was launched by Fáilte Ireland and Minister of State, Alan Dillon earlier this year.
Killala-based Fine Gael councillor Jarlath Munnelly said he did not agree that sending a letter criticising Fáilte Ireland is the appropriate response.
“This project has been going on for ten years, and it's something that's very close to my heart. I've been working with the community on it for years but we need to be a bit careful that we don't sound like we're being negative,” he said.
Cllr Munnelly said that project was in the North Mayo Tourism Development Plan and was best placed to receive funding when it becomes available.
“What's really good about that [plan] is it has identified a number of key projects in North Mayo that were just talked about a couple of years ago and now they are in a national policy statement saying they are going to deliver them when they get the funding.
“I know the work that's been put in by some of the people locally in Fáilte Ireland, and they are going to have to decide on this project. What we should be saying is, when is the funding going to come but we shouldn't be knocking them because we really need to get that project over the line and it will get over the line. We need to keep the positivity of this project going.”
Cllr Munnelly said the Céide Coastal Path has the support of the local community and land owners which is not always the case with other projects and felt this means it is best placed to avail of funding when it becomes available.
In the correspondence to the councillors, Mr Murray said that Fáilte Ireland is currently developing a new capital investment plan and it is 'anticipated that schemes will arise from this plan, funded through the National Development Plan'.
However, Cllr Loftus defended his stance saying that funding for capital projects for the county was promised by the former CEO of Failte Ireland at an event in Westport in March 2025 and questioned if the new CEO has a similar viewpoint.
“We're now coming to the end of 2026, and still that money has not been delivered because a new CEO went into their job. It is the new CEO who is now deciding what is to be done and what not will be done. So my concern is that this change of leadership at Fáilte Ireland is stopping the actual funding coming to our area. So I just want a letter going stating our disappointment,” he said.
Cllr Loftus also stated that he acknowledged the work done by Fáilte Ireland in the locality but the decisions that need to be made regarding funding are 'beyond their pay grade'.