The government has announced that €933,000 will be allocated to support regional and food tourism in 2026.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke announced the funding, which will be allocated to Fáilte Ireland.

The fund includes €310,000 specifically for food festivals.

Th fund will be managed by local authorities, and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said it will help strengthen "Ireland's growing reputation as a world-class food destination".

The regional festivals part of the new funding, which amounts to €623,250, will be allocated to support 250 festivals in 31 different local authorities.

The funding for food festivals is being designed to support Ireland's "evolving culinary tourism offering".

Each local authority is set to receive at least €10,000 as part of the overall fund.

For 2026, the enhanced regional funding is complemented by a targeted investment in food-focused festivals under a dedicated Food Festival Fund.

Regional Festival Funding and Food Festival Funding is allocated at the discretion of each local authority, and the process for accessing this funding can vary between counties.

Interested organisers should contact their relevant local authority for detailed information on the supports available in their area.

Commenting on the announcement, Minister Burke said: "This investment represents a significant commitment to strengthening tourism in every region, ensuring the economic benefits of our growing visitor economy are shared across the country.

"By supporting both local festivals and Ireland’s flourishing food festival landscape, we are directly aligning with the ambitions of the National Tourism Policy to drive regional spread, support local enterprise and enhance destination development.

"This funding also comes at an important moment, as it creates real opportunities to grow culinary tourism nationwide and supports the development of our new Culinary Tourism Strategy, which will further strengthen Ireland’s reputation for quality food experiences," the minister added.

Caroline Bocquel, chief executive officer (CEO) of Fáilte Ireland, said: "Festivals play a vital role in showcasing Ireland’s creativity, culture and hospitality, while driving regional visitation and supporting local economies.

"This enhanced investment for 2026 will help ensure that festivals, particularly those with a strong culinary focus, can continue to grow, innovate and contribute to the development of vibrant destinations across the country," Bocquel added.