Month: July 2026

Minister Presents Prizes to the winners of “Our Ireland, Our EU” Photography Competition

“Our Ireland, Our EU” was a national photography competition celebrating how projects co‑funded by the European Union and the Government of Ireland make a difference across Ireland.

The competition encouraged creativity and active citizen participation by inviting members of the public to explore, discover and photograph the real‑life impact of EU co-funding in everyday settings, whether that impact was physical (such as buildings or public spaces) or human (such as learning, skills and inclusion).

Each intervention supported by the EU and the Government has a story to tell and a strong image is invaluable in helping communicate these stories and their impacts to the public. The wining photographs across the categories of physical and people reflect the breath and diversity of the interventions and provide a photographic insight into “Our Ireland, Our EU”.

The Competition itself was a new and innovative approach towards increasing the visibility and communicating the benefits of EU Funded activities in Ireland.

The contest was organised by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER) and was hosted on eufunds.ie with all costs and prizes being met through EU Technical Assistance.

Entries were submitted under two categories.

Category 1: Photographs of an Eligible Location which included physical projects such as buildings, regeneration schemes, and public spaces

1^st Place “Vigilant Commodore” by Ruth Tapial
2^nd Place “There’s room here for all of us” by Kartikeya Rana
3^rd Place “In Am (On Time)” by Jessica Dale

Category 2: Photograph People & Participation, capturing the human impact of projects supporting skills development, fostering social inclusion etc.

1^st Place “Summer at the Pier” by Claudia Finnerty
2^nd Place “Interwoven Networks” by Aoife Claffey
3^rd Place “When robots draw the line” by Dr Alan Magee

The competition ran from 1 May 2026 (launch of the competition) until 30 June 2026 (end of the public vote).

The website had over 13,000 visitors over the course of the competition.

164 entries to the competition were received. Of these, 82 entries met the eligibility criteria and were approved for entry on the competition website.

Over 3,500 voters registered on the platform to vote for their favourite photograph.

The Minister presented prizes to the winners at an event in Government Buildings on Thursday (23 July).

Minister Burke Officially Opens Tides of Time Visitor Centre in Tipperary

€440,000 regenerative tourism project supported by Fáilte Ireland through the EU Just Transition Fund
New visitor attraction strengthens Carrick-on-Suir’s tourism offering and enhances visitor experience in Ireland’s Ancient East

L-R James Coady, Lucy Coady, Niamh Coady, Martina Coady and Minister Peter Burke in a reconstruction of poet and author, Michael Coady’s study in the Tides of Time Visitor Centre

Tides of Time, a newly restored visitor centre in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, was officially opened today by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD. The project was awarded over €352,000 in funding through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under the EU Just Transition Fund. Carrick-on-Suir Development Association invested a further €88,000 in the development bringing the total investment to over €440,000.

The new visitor experience represents a significant addition to Tipperary’s tourism offering, providing a new visitor attraction that strengthens the appeal of the region for both international and domestic visitors.

Located within the restored St. Nicholas’s Church of Ireland in the heart of Carrick-on-Suir, Tides of Time has undergone a transformative redevelopment led by Carrick-on-Suir Development Association (COSDA) and Explore Carrick-on-Suir in partnership with Fáilte Ireland. The revitalised visitor experience brings the story of Carrick-on-Suir to life, exploring the town’s origins, its relationship with the River Suir and Three County Hinterlands, and the people, writers and artists who have shaped its identity across generations.

L-R Caroline Bocquel, CEO of Fáilte Ireland; Niall Walsh, Carrick-on-Suir Development Association; Michael Murphy TD; Lucy Coady; Tony Musiol, Carrick-on-Suir Development Association; Minister Peter Burke TD; Cathaoirleach of Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District Cllr Kieran Bourke; Councillor Patsy Glennon, Cathaoirleach of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly

The redevelopment combines the town’s rich heritage with innovative interpretation, offering visitors a contemporary and immersive experience. Highlights include audio visual experiences, interactive displays and touchscreen technology; an interactive talking portrait of nineteenth-century writer Dorothea Herbert, powered by AI and based on her own writings; a unique oral history archive featuring local voices; a reconstruction of the study of acclaimed local poet and author Michael Coady, newly designed exhibition and window graphics, and a series of engaging displays exploring the history and development of Carrick-on-Suir.

Situated close to key attractions including Ormond Castle and the Suir Blueway, Tides of Time further strengthens Carrick-on-Suir’s position as an important destination within Ireland’s Ancient East and provides visitors with another reason to spend more time exploring the town and wider region.

Speaking at the official opening, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said:

“I am pleased to officially open Tides of Time today. This project is a perfect example of how investment through the EU Just Transition Fund is helping communities to unlock the tourism potential of their local heritage and create new opportunities for sustainable economic development.

The redevelopment of this historic building has created a high-quality visitor experience that showcases the unique story of Carrick-on-Suir while supporting the local economy and strengthening the town’s appeal as a tourism destination. I commend Carrick-on-Suir Development Association, Fáilte Ireland and all those involved in bringing this project to fruition.”

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien TD said:

“I welcome the official opening of Tides of Time, a project supported through the EU Just Transition Fund. This Fund, which is overseen by my Department, is providing a total of €169 million, through Government and EU co-funding, to support the communities most negatively affected by the move away from fossil fuels and the cessation of commercial peat extraction. A key objective of the Fund is to help communities build a sustainable future by supporting new economic opportunities and investing in projects that enhance the places where people live, work and visit.

This project is just one of over 170 works being supported by the Fund which has now allocated over €120m to successful beneficiaries in the Midlands Territory.The redevelopment of Tides of Time has restored an important local building while creating a valuable new amenity for Carrick-on-Suir. It demonstrates the positive impact that community-led projects can have in strengthening towns, celebrating local identity and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the region.”

CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Caroline Bocquel said:

“The opening of Tides of Time is another important milestone in the delivery of Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme and demonstrates the positive impact that investment through the EU Just Transition Fund is having in Tipperary and across the region.

This project transforms an important heritage asset into a compelling visitor experience that will help attract more visitors to Carrick-on-Suir, encourage longer stays and deliver economic benefits for local businesses and the wider community. Located alongside attractions such as Ormond Castle and the Suir Blueway, Tides of Time strengthens the overall visitor offering in South Tipperary and provides a valuable addition to Ireland’s Ancient East.”

Bernie Roe, Assistant Director, Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, said:

“EMRA is pleased to see the official opening of Tides of Time and congratulates Carrick-on-Suir Development Association and Fáilte Ireland on bringing this project to life with the support of the EU Just Transition Fund Programme.

Projects such as Tides of Time demonstrate how investment in heritage, culture and tourism can support economic diversification, strengthen communities and create distinctive visitor experiences. As Managing Authority of the EU Just Transition Fund, EMRA is proud to support initiatives that deliver long-term benefits for local communities while enhancing the attractiveness of the region for visitors.”

Niall Walsh, Chairperson of Carrick-on-Suir Development Association, said:

“We are delighted that Peter Burke T.D., Minister for Enterprise Tourism and Employment formally opened the state-of-the-art Tides of Time tourism interpretation at the Carrick-on-Suir Visitor Centre today. With this great asset, we will grow our visitor numbers by orders of magnitude with consequent economic benefit to the town and its hinterland.”

The Tides of Time visitor centre also includes a café operated by local company Three Bridges Coffee, alongside a book and gift shop that further enhances the visitor experience and supports the local economy. The centre is located at the heart of a three-county region that includes the Lingaun Valley and the Comeragh Mountains of North Waterford.

Tides of Time is one of a growing number of projects being delivered through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. Through targeted investment in sustainable tourism infrastructure and visitor experiences, the scheme is helping to diversify local economies, support employment and create compelling reasons for visitors to explore destinations across Ireland’s Ancient East and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

Irish Regions together with the EU CoR president and Irish Ambassador to Belgium, in Brussels on 1st July 2026 for Welcome Reception marking the start of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Irish Regions Showcase ‘Tionscnaimh agus Táirgí na hÉireann’ at the EU Committee of the Regions in Brussels

Regions Celebrate Projects and Products as Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union Commences

The Irish Delegation to the European Committee of the Regions, together with the Irish Regions European Office, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, and the Southern Regional Assembly, hosted a special Welcome Reception in Brussels marking the commencement of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2026.

Entitled “Tionscnaimh agus Táirgí na hÉireann – Projects and Produce of Ireland”, the event brought together over 300 local and regional representatives from across Europe, alongside EU officials, MEPs and representatives of Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the EU.

The reception showcased the strength, innovation and diversity of Ireland’s regions and highlighted the significant contribution that local and regional authorities make to delivering European priorities on the ground. It also demonstrated the tangible benefits of EU membership, collaboration and EU co-funding for communities, businesses and citizens across Ireland.

Kata TÜTTŐ, President of the European Committee of the RegionsEuropean Union / Emile Windal

Kata TÜTTŐ, President of the European Committee of the Regions, opens the 172nd Plenary Session of the CoR in Brussels on 1 July 2026. Photo credit: European Union / Emile Windal

Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions, said:

“We welcome the Irish Presidency of the EU Council, and we thank the Irish regions for an evening celebrating both their culture and their strong commitment to advancing key European priorities over the next six months.

As negotiations on the next seven-year EU budget enter their decisive phase, Ireland carries a unique responsibility. The future of cohesion policy, its role in strengthening competitiveness, preparing Europe for enlargement, and ensuring that every region can contribute to Europe’s success, will be shaped during this Presidency.

Ireland knows from its own experience what cohesion policy can achieve. It has lived it, benefited from it, and understands its transformative power. That experience will be invaluable in guiding these negotiations with fairness, vision and ambition.”

The Irish Ambassador to Belgium, Kevin Conmy noted:

“The honour of hosting the first big event of the Irish Presidency in Brussels on 1 July fell to the Irish Regions European Office and the EU Committee of the Regions. It was a great gathering celebrating Irish culture, food and drink and showcasing the projects and products from Ireland’s regions. So many impressive projects showing the achievements of the EU at the national and regional level, it was an honour to attend.”

Councillor Gillian Coughlan, Head of the Irish Delegation to the Committee of the Regions, said:

“The evening was a wonderful celebration of Ireland’s regions and the strong partnerships that underpin the European project. As Ireland begins its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we are proud to showcase the very best of our regions, from our creative EU co-funded projects to our outstanding food, drink and culture. Together, we look forward to working with our European partners under the theme ‘Strength with Unity’ to deliver positive outcomes for our communities.”

The evening featured exhibitions from Ireland’s three Regional Assemblies, focusing on projects co-funded by the Government of Ireland and EU that are delivering tangible benefits and meaningful change in communities throughout the country. These projects reflect the breadth of innovation taking place across Ireland in areas such as innovation, sustainability, skills, rural development and community wellbeing. Featured projects included the were MET Technology Gateway at Atlantic Technological University, TUAM Station House THRIVE project, ARC Hub for Therapeutics, MTU Cyber Innovate, CycleUp, Peatlands for Prosperity, STEM education in the Midlands demonstrating how European and national investment and collaboration is helping regions to thrive.

Cllr David Healy, EMRA Cathaoirleach provides a speech at the opening of the 172nd Plenary meeting of the CoR in Brussels. Photo credit: European Union / Emile Windal

Cllr David Healy, Cathaoirleach of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly said:

“The theme of today’s event, ‘Tionscnaimh agus Táirgí na hÉireann’, reflects the strength and diversity of our regions. Across the Regions, communities are delivering innovative solutions to some of Europe’s biggest challenges, from climate action and skills development to research, innovation and regional growth. Alongside innovative projects that are delivering tangible benefits for communities through EU and Government co-funding, we are also celebrating the food, culture and local enterprise that give our regions their distinct identity. Together, they tell a powerful story of regional ambition, collaboration and achievement that we are proud to share as Ireland begins its Presidency of the Council of the European Union.”

Guests sampled a diverse range of regional food and drink, reflecting the strength of Ireland’s local producers and the distinct identity of each region. The event provided a warm and authentic sense of Ireland, rooted in place, community and tradition.

Cllr Micheál Frain, Cathaoirleach of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, stated that:

“As Ireland undertakes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, it does so with a deep appreciation of the central role that culture and identity play in shaping cohesive, resilient, and inclusive societies. In the Northern and Western Region of Ireland, we understand that our rich cultural heritage is not just something we preserve, it is something we live, share, and use to connect across borders. Through this Presidency, Ireland has a unique opportunity to champion the diversity that defines Europe, while ensuring that every community feels seen, valued, and included. By placing culture and identity at the heart of our European engagement, we can build stronger, more connected regions and foster a Union that truly reflects the voices of its people.”

Adding to the atmosphere, the reception featured live traditional Irish music and dance, offering a vibrant cultural welcome to visitors from across Europe.

Cllr Andrew McGuinness, Cathaoirleach of Southern Regional Assembly, said:

“This event is a strong example of what can be achieved through collaboration, bringing together Ireland’s regions to present a shared story at European level. Working in partnership, we can better showcase the strengths of our communities, learn from others, and contribute to shaping a more balanced and sustainable future across Europe.”

01 July 2026, 172nd Plenary Session of the European Committee of the Regions. Brussels, Belgium. Photo credit: European Union / Emile Windal

About the Projects being showcased:

ERDF Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-27

The Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Programme connects businesses with applied research expertise to drive innovation and solve industry challenges. The scheme was showcased by the MET Gateway at Atlantic Technological University, Galway City, who supports start-ups, SMEs, and large organisations across the MedTech, Engineering, and Life Sciences sectors.

THRIVE – the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme, enables local authorities to bring vacant heritage buildings under council control back into public use. Across the scheme, 19 Strand 2 capital projects, with a combined value of €128 million, will transform these buildings into vibrant community, cultural, enterprise and tourism destinations. One such project is the Tuam Station House in Co. Galway, which will be reimagined as a state-of-the-art enterprise hub and social space as part of the wider Tuam Regeneration Strategy

ERDF Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-27

The ARC Hub Programme is a new model for regional innovation and entrepreneurial training that will enhance and accelerate the commercialisation of research to create new products, processes and services. The ARC Hub for Therapeutics, in the Biopharma and Life Sciences sector, encompasses a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas, with strengths in oncology and immunology. Its research emphasises translational research in small molecule therapies, biological treatments, biomaterials for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) applications, and biomarkers with therapeutic utility.

The Innovators’ Initiative scheme is a national immersive needs-led training programme for experienced professionals who want to apply their expertise in new ways, by founding a startup, leading innovation within organisations, or driving change in strategically important sectors. MTU Cyber Innovate is aimed at high calibre mid-career professionals from the cybersecurity, technical or commercial backgrounds, who have an entrepreneurial drive and a desire to found a new cybersecurity start-up.

EU Just Transition Fund

The CycleUp project strengthens the Roscommon Women’s Network in their work to upskill women in textile design, marketing and upcycling. This circular economy social enterprise takes unsold pre-loved textiles and offcuts from fabric stores and transforms them into bags, accessories, and homewares. Along the way, the project upskills individuals through education and empowerment in the areas of repairing, reusing and upcycling and provides employment in a rural area.

CycleUp project showcase their work at the Welcome Reception in Brussels. Photo credit: FX Willems

The Peatlands for Prosperity Project: Cultivating Paludiculture for Resilience, promotes paludiculture (farming on wetlands) as a new form of wetland management, supporting peatland restoration and sustainable economic opportunities. This project, run by Green Restoration Ireland, supports farmers with peatland areas by providing practical training, tailored farm services, and innovative ways to generate income – particularly through adoption of climate-friendly practices.

Peatlands for Prosperity project showcasing at the Welcome Reception in Brussels, 1st July 2026. Photo credit: FX Willems

STEM education in the Midlands is one package of the Midlands Regional Enterprise Plan Pathway for Just Transition project, which is led by Midlands Ireland and funded through the EU Just Transition Fund. The project combines a series of work packages that advance skill development, capacity building, collaboration amongst domestic producers, fosters innovation and creativity in the Midland’s local economy. The STEM education pilar brings robotics programme to local schools across Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath to get students interested in robotics and STEM-related activities like science, engineering, coding, math, technology and computer science, as well as teamwork and collaboration.

STEM education in the Midlands showcase their work at the Welcome Reception in Brussels on 1st July 2026. Photo credit: FX Willems

Winners Announced in National “Our Ireland, Our EU” Photo Competition

Six winning photographers have been announced in the inaugural “Our Ireland, Our EU” Photo Competition, a national initiative celebrating the positive impact of Government of Ireland and EU co-funded projects and initiatives across Ireland.

Organised by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and hosted on EUFunds.ie, the competition invited members of the public to capture photographs highlighting how European Union funding is making a difference in communities throughout the country.

As Manging Authority for the EU Just Transition Fund, EMRA has been proudly supporting the running of this competition.

The competition received 164 entries from across Ireland. Following eligibility checks, 82 photographs were published for public voting. More than 2,600 voters cast votes during the public voting period.

The competition featured two categories:

Category 1 – EU-Funded Projects: Places & Spaces
Category 2 – EU-Funded Activities: People & Participation

The winners, determined by public vote, are:

Category 1 – EU-Funded Projects: Places & Spaces

Place	Winner	Photograph	Location	EU Fund
First	Ruth Tapial	Vigilant Commodore	Cresent Quay, Wexford	ERDF
Second	Kartikeya Rana	There’s room here for all of us	Dún Laoghaire Baths, Dublin	ERDF
Third	Jessica Dale	I Am (On Time)	Kent Train Station, Cork	NRRP

Category 2 – EU-Funded Activities: People & Participation

Place	Winner	Photograph	Location	EU Fund
First	Claudia Finnerty	Summer at the Pier	Aughris Pier, Sligo	BAR
Second	Aoife Claffey	Interwoven Networks	MTU, Cork	ERDF
Third	Dr Alan Magee	When robots draw the line	MTU, Cork	ERDF

In addition to the photography prizes, all registered voters were entered into a draw for a €1,500 Abbey Travel voucher, awarded to Gráinne Mullen, Co Sligo, who was selected at random.

Minister Jack Chambers TD said:

“The photographs submitted to the competition beautifully capture the real-world impact of EU investment in communities across Ireland. Through their creativity and storytelling, the winning photographers have helped illustrate how EU funding supports people, places and opportunities throughout the country.”

The winners will be presented with their prizes by Minister Chambers at a ceremony in Government Buildings in mid July 2026.

The Department would like to thank everyone who entered the competition, participated in the public vote and helped highlight the contribution of Government of Ireland and EU co-funded projects and programmes across Ireland.

For more information and to view the winning entries, visit:

https://eufunds.ie/photo-competition/winners/