Ireland’s Ancient East tourism initiative & SLC

Ancient East Tourism & Cross-Border Connectivity Strategy

The Missing Link in Ireland’s Premier Coastal Route

🎯 Key Strategic Revelations

1. The Two-Bridge Strategy

  • Narrow Water Bridge (planned, funded and build completion late 2027): Connects Warrenpoint (NI) to Omeath (ROI)
  • Strangford Bridge (proposed): Completes the A2 coastal route
  • Together: Create unbroken Belfast-to-Dublin coastal drive (300km)

2. The Ferry Bottleneck

Current Strangford-Portaferry ferry:

  • Capacity: Only ~15 cars per sailing
  • Hours: ~7:30am-10:30pm (limited)
  • Frequency: Every 30 minutes
  • Annual capacity: ~200,000 vehicles (constrained)
  • Tourist impact: Major psychological barrier, tour operators avoid route

3. Tourism Economic Opportunity

  • Ireland’s Ancient East: €1B+ brand, 2.5M+ visitors
  • Natural NI extension: Titanic → GoT → St. Patrick → Mournes
  • Additional tourism spending: £15-30M annually at maturity
  • Tourism jobs: 170-280 created
  • Comparable to: North Coast 500 (Scotland), Pacific Coast Highway

4. Funding Synergies

Perfect alignment for multi-source funding:

  • Shared Island Fund (Irish Gov): Cross-border connectivity
  • UK Levelling Up Fund: Regional development
  • EU PEACE+ Programme: Cross-border cooperation
  • Tourism agencies: Route development & marketing
  • Precedent: Narrow Water already supported by Shared Island Fund

5. Political Momentum

  • Both governments committed to cross-border tourism
  • Narrow Water sets precedent
  • Ancient East brand seeking northern extension
  • Post-COVID tourism recovery investment phase
  • Perfect timing

Total economic benefit: £36-68M annually (freight + tourism)

🎯 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Strangford Lough Crossing is the critical missing link in a transformational Belfast-to-Dublin coastal tourism route. Combined with the planned Narrow Water Bridge, it would create an unbroken 300km+ coastal heritage drive connecting:

  • Ireland’s Ancient East tourism brand (2.5M+ annual visitors, €1B+ value)
  • Northern Ireland’s heritage & coastal assets (Titanic, GoT, Mournes, fishing ports)
  • Three major fishing ports (Ardglass, Portavogie, Kilkeel)
  • Cross-border economic corridor (Belfast-Newry-Dundalk-Dublin)

The current Strangford ferry (~15 cars, 30-min frequency, limited hours) is a major bottleneck preventing this world-class tourism product from being realized.

🗺️ IRELAND’S ANCIENT EAST CONTEXT

The Tourism Brand

Launched: 2016 by Fáilte Ireland (Irish tourism authority)
Geography: East coast from Newgrange (Boyne Valley) to Kinsale (Cork)
Theme: 5,000 years of history—ancient monuments, medieval heritage, Viking sites
Target markets: North American, European, domestic Irish/UK
Performance: 2.5+ million annual visitors, €1+ billion economic value

Brand Proposition

“Ireland’s Ancient East: Where stories were born”

Key attractions:

  • Newgrange (older than Pyramids)
  • Boyne Valley battlefields
  • Viking settlements (Waterford, Wexford)
  • Medieval castles and abbeys
  • Monastic sites (Glendalough, etc.)
  • Coastal scenery and fishing heritage

Northern Ireland Natural Extension

Northern Ireland sites fit perfectly:

  • Strangford Lough: Viking heritage, medieval castles, St. Patrick connections
  • Down Cathedral: St. Patrick’s burial site (claimed)
  • Nendrum Monastery: Early Christian settlement
  • Ards Peninsula: Monastic sites, coastal beauty
  • Mourne Mountains: Legendary landscape, CS Lewis inspiration
  • Newry/Carlingford: Border heritage, mountain scenery
  • Belfast: Titanic, industrial heritage, Game of Thrones

Problem: Infrastructure gap prevents seamless tourism circuit integration.

🌉 THE TWO BRIDGES STRATEGY

Narrow Water Bridge (Opening late 2027)

Location: Carlingford Lough, connecting Omeath (ROI) to Warrenpoint (NI)
Length: ~280m bridge span
Status: Planning approved, funding pending
Expected cost: €100-125 million
Significance: First new cross-border bridge in decades

Benefits:

  • Direct Newry-Dundalk link (currently 45km detour via Newry-Dundalk road)
  • Completes Mourne coastal route
  • Cross-border economic corridor
  • Tourism circuit (Carlingford-Mourne-Slieve Gullion)
  • Strong political support from both governments

Funders committed:

  • Irish Government (Shared Island Fund)
  • UK Government (NI Executive)
  • EU (PEACE+ Programme consideration)

Strangford Lough Bridge (Proposed)

Location: Strangford Lough narrows, Portaferry to Strangford
Length: ~1.5-2.5km (depending on exact route)
Status: Feasibility stage, campaign active
Expected cost: £300-350 million
Significance: Completes A2 coastal route, ends ferry bottleneck

Benefits:

  • Connects Ards Peninsula to Lecale Peninsula 24/7
  • Enables Belfast-Dublin coastal drive
  • Unlocks eastern Ards economic potential
  • Three-port fishing logistics (Ardglass-Portavogie-Kilkeel)
  • Complements Narrow Water Bridge perfectly

🚗 THE BROKEN A2 COASTAL ROUTE

Current Situation

Belfast to Dublin Coastal Route (A2/N1/N52):

Belfast (Titanic Quarter) 
  ↓ A2 - 30km
Bangor (seaside resort, marina)
  ↓ A2 - 15km  
Donaghadee (ferry heritage)
  ↓ A2 - 12km
Portavogie (fishing port)
  ↓ A20 - 15km
Portaferry
  ↓↓↓ **[FERRY BOTTLENECK - 20 min crossing]** ↓↓↓
Strangford
  ↓ A25 - 15km
Downpatrick (St. Patrick heritage)
  ↓ A2 - 25km
Newcastle (Mourne gateway, beach resort)
  ↓ A2 - 20km
Kilkeel (fishing port, Mournes)
  ↓ A2 - 15km
Warrenpoint
  ↓↓↓ **[NARROW WATER BRIDGE - opening late 2027]** ↓↓↓
Omeath (ROI)
  ↓ R173 - 10km
Carlingford (medieval village, mountains)
  ↓ R173/N1 - 20km
Dundalk
  ↓ N1 - 40km
Drogheda
  ↓ N1 - 10km
Boyne Valley (Newgrange, Battle of the Boyne)
  ↓ N1/M1 - 50km
DUBLIN

Total distance: ~300km Belfast to Dublin
Journey time:

  • Current: 5-7 hours (with ferry waits, uncertainties)
  • With both bridges: 3.5-4.5 hours continuous driving

The Ferry Bottleneck

Strangford-Portaferry Ferry:

  • Capacity: ~15 cars per sailing
  • Frequency: Every 30 minutes (peak), every hour (off-peak)
  • Operating hours: ~7:30am-10:30pm (shorter winter hours)
  • Cost: £7-8 per car return (2024 prices)
  • Crossing time: 8-10 minutes
  • Annual capacity: ~200,000 vehicles (estimated)
  • Weather disruptions: Frequent in winter

Tourist Impact:

  • Waiting times: 30-90 minutes in peak summer
  • Uncertainty: “Will I make the ferry?”
  • Planning difficulties: Tour operators avoid route
  • Psychological barrier: International tourists intimidated
  • Continuity break: Ruins “seamless drive” experience
  • Hours limitation: Can’t do evening/early morning journeys

🎯 THE TRANSFORMED TOURISM PRODUCT

With Both Bridges: “The Ancient East Coastal Drive”

Brand proposition:
“Belfast to Dublin: 300km of history, heritage, and stunning scenery—unbroken coastal experience”

Route Highlights (North to South)

BELFAST GATEWAY (km 0-30)

  • Titanic Quarter & museum
  • Game of Thrones filming locations
  • Belfast-Bangor coastal path
  • Traffic data (2018): A2 Cultra 35,970/day, tourist-heavy

ARDS PENINSULA (km 30-60)

  • Donaghadee lighthouse & harbour
  • Portavogie fishing port (working harbour)
  • Exploris aquarium
  • [STRANGFORD BRIDGE – seamless crossing]
  • Traffic data (2018): A20 7,500/day (suppressed by ferry)

LECALE & ST. PATRICK COUNTRY (km 60-100)

  • Strangford Lough (National Nature Reserve, seals)
  • Castle Ward (Game of Thrones Winterfell)
  • Downpatrick (St. Patrick Centre, Down Cathedral)
  • Inch Abbey ruins
  • Traffic data (2018): A25 ~8,000-10,000/day

MOURNE MOUNTAINS & COAST (km 100-150)

  • Newcastle beach & promenade
  • Mourne Wall (22-mile granite wall)
  • Slieve Donard (highest peak)
  • Silent Valley reservoir
  • Kilkeel fishing port
  • Traffic data (2018): A2 varies 8,000-15,000/day

CARLINGFORD & BORDER REGION (km 150-180)

  • Warrenpoint
  • [NARROW WATER BRIDGE – cross-border link]
  • Carlingford village (medieval)
  • Slieve Gullion Forest Park
  • Cross-border scenic route

BOYNE VALLEY & ANCIENT IRELAND (km 180-250)

  • Dundalk
  • Drogheda (medieval town)
  • Newgrange (5,000-year-old passage tomb)
  • Hill of Tara
  • Battle of the Boyne site

DUBLIN DESTINATION (km 250-300)

  • Ireland’s capital
  • International gateway

Marketing Themes

“Five Thousand Years in 300 Kilometers”

  • Neolithic monuments to Titanic
  • Vikings to Game of Thrones
  • St. Patrick to modern Ireland

“Three Countries, One Journey” (historical)

  • Kingdom of Ulster
  • Pale of Dublin
  • Ancient tribal kingdoms

“Working Coast, Living Heritage”

  • Three active fishing ports
  • Traditional farming
  • Coastal communities
  • Sustainable food (seafood trail)

💰 TOURISM ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

Current Ferry Constraint Impact

Strangford Ferry statistics (estimated):

  • Annual crossings: ~200,000 vehicles
  • Tourist vehicles: 40-50% = 80,000-100,000 annually
  • Summer peak: 600-800 vehicles/day
  • Winter low: 200-300 vehicles/day

Suppressed demand:

  • Tour operators avoid route due to ferry unpredictability
  • Motorhome/caravan tourists deterred (booking uncertainty)
  • International tourists intimidated (unfamiliar with ferry)
  • Evening/night travel impossible (ferry hours)
  • Coach tours avoid (can’t guarantee schedule)

Estimated “lost” tourism:

  • Potential additional tourists if no ferry: 50,000-100,000 vehicles/year
  • At 2.5 people/vehicle, £100/person/day: £12.5-25M lost annually

With Strangford Bridge: Tourism Growth Projection

Year 1 (Opening):

  • Current ferry traffic: 200,000 vehicles
  • “Unlocked” tourist traffic: +20-30% = +40,000-60,000 vehicles
  • Total bridge tourist traffic: 240,000-260,000 vehicles
  • Additional tourist spending: £8-12M

Year 5 (Established Route):

  • Route reputation builds
  • Tour operator inclusion
  • International marketing
  • Total tourist traffic: 300,000-350,000 vehicles
  • Additional spending vs baseline: £15-20M

Year 10 (Mature Product):

  • Established as iconic drive (like NC500 Scotland)
  • International bucket-list status
  • Total tourist traffic: 400,000-500,000 vehicles
  • Additional spending: £20-30M annually

Employment Impact

Tourism sector jobs created:

  • Accommodation: 50-80 jobs
  • Food & beverage: 60-100 jobs
  • Activities/attractions: 30-50 jobs
  • Retail: 20-30 jobs
  • Tour operations: 10-20 jobs
  • Total: 170-280 jobs

Business investment:

  • Hotels/B&Bs expansion
  • Restaurant development
  • Activity centers (kayaking, cycling, hiking)
  • Heritage interpretation
  • Artisan food/craft producers

🤝 CROSS-BORDER POLICY ALIGNMENT

Shared Strategic Objectives

Both Governments Committed To:

✅ Tourism development

  • Ireland’s Ancient East (Fáilte Ireland)
  • NI tourism strategy (Tourism NI)
  • Tourism Ireland international marketing

✅ Cross-border cooperation

  • Good Friday Agreement legacy
  • North-South Ministerial Council
  • Shared Island initiative (Irish Gov)

✅ Regional economic development

  • Levelling Up (UK)
  • National Planning Framework (Ireland)
  • EU PEACE+ Programme

✅ Climate action

  • Sustainable tourism vs air travel
  • Active travel (cycling, walking routes)
  • Public transport corridors

✅ Heritage & culture

  • Shared heritage narratives
  • Cultural tourism development
  • Community connections

Funding Opportunities

EU PEACE+ Programme (2021-2027)

  • Budget: €1 billion
  • Theme 1: Building peaceful & thriving communities
  • Theme 2: Delivering economic regeneration & transformation
  • Cross-border infrastructure explicitly supported
  • Precedent: Narrow Water Bridge consideration

Irish Shared Island Fund

  • Budget: €2 billion (2021-2030)
  • Infrastructure & connectivity priority
  • NI projects welcomed
  • Already supports: Narrow Water Bridge
  • Strong precedent for Strangford Bridge

UK Levelling Up Fund

  • Round 4 expected
  • Transport infrastructure eligible
  • Tourism & culture priorities
  • NI regions encouraged to apply

INTERREG

  • EU cross-border cooperation
  • Ireland-Northern Ireland-Scotland programme
  • Tourism & transport projects
  • Joint applications (both governments)

Tourism Ireland

  • International marketing
  • Could brand complete route
  • Leverage both bridges for global campaigns

📊 TRAFFIC & DEMAND MODELING

Current Traffic Patterns (2018 Baseline)

A2 Belfast-Bangor corridor:

  • CP 502 (Cultra): 35,970 vehicles/day
  • Strong tourist/leisure component
  • Summer peaks significantly higher
  • Base for northern section demand

Ards Peninsula:

  • CP 510 (Donaghadee area): 4,900 vehicles/day
  • CP 444 (A20 Kircubbin): 7,500 vehicles/day
  • Suppressed by ferry constraint

Ferry traffic:

  • ~200,000 vehicles/year = ~550 vehicles/day average
  • Only 7% of A20 traffic (7,500/day) uses ferry
  • Indicates massive suppression of through-traffic

Mourne Coast:

  • A2 Newcastle-Kilkeel: 8,000-15,000 vehicles/day
  • High summer tourist peaks
  • Winter much lower (local traffic)

Bridge Demand Projection

Component 1: Current ferry traffic

  • Base: 200,000 vehicles/year

Component 2: Unlocked A20 traffic

  • Currently avoiding area due to ferry: +30-40%
  • Bridge contribution: +60,000-80,000 vehicles/year

Component 3: New tourist traffic

  • International marketing of complete route
  • Tour operator inclusion
  • Motorhome/caravan market
  • Bridge contribution: +50,000-100,000 vehicles/year

Component 4: Freight optimization

  • Three-port fishing logistics
  • Agricultural efficiency
  • Food distribution
  • Bridge contribution: +50,000-80,000 vehicles/year (see freight analysis)

Total Projected Bridge Traffic:

  • Year 1: 400,000-500,000 crossings
  • Year 5: 600,000-800,000 crossings
  • Year 10: 800,000-1,200,000 crossings

Tourism percentage: 40-50% of total traffic

🌍 INTERNATIONAL COMPARATOR ROUTES

Wild Atlantic Way (Ireland)

Metrics:

  • Length: 2,500km
  • Launched: 2014
  • Annual visitors: 2.5+ million
  • Economic value: €300M+ direct, €2B+ indirect
  • International recognition: Top 10 global coastal drives

Success factors:

  • Consistent branding & wayfinding
  • Investment in viewing points, trails
  • International marketing (Tourism Ireland)
  • Unbroken route (no ferries blocking flow)

Lesson: Infrastructure continuity essential for tourism success

North Coast 500 (Scotland)

Metrics:

  • Length: 830km
  • Launched: 2015
  • Annual visitors: 200,000+
  • Economic impact: £30M+ annually
  • Route start/end: Inverness Castle

Success factors:

  • Clear circular route
  • Heritage & scenery combination
  • No major bottlenecks
  • Strong digital/social media presence

Lesson: New routes can rapidly gain international traction with right infrastructure

Pacific Coast Highway (California, USA)

Metrics:

  • Length: 1,055km (San Francisco to San Diego)
  • Annual visitors: Millions
  • Iconic global brand
  • Major economic driver for coastal communities

Success factors:

  • Stunning continuous scenery
  • Multiple attractions along route
  • Reliability (no ferries, year-round access)
  • International marketing

Lesson: Coastal drives become bucket-list experiences with seamless connectivity

Celtic Coastal Drive Potential

Competitive position:

  • Length: 300km (manageable 1-3 day trip)
  • Density of attractions: Very high (heritage, scenery, food, activities)
  • International appeal: Titanic + GoT + Ancient history + Coastal beauty
  • Accessibility: Between two capital cities (Belfast, Dublin)
  • Uniqueness: Cross-border heritage narrative
  • Challenge: Currently broken by ferry

With both bridges:

  • Comparable to NC500 for length & appeal
  • More accessible than Wild Atlantic Way (shorter)
  • Unique cross-border/heritage story
  • Could attract 150,000-300,000 dedicated route tourists/year

🎨 MARKETING & BRANDING STRATEGY

Brand Development

Working title: “The Celtic Coastal Drive” or “The Ancient East”

Tagline options:

  • “Belfast to Dublin: Where legends meet the sea”
  • “5,000 years of stories, 300km of beauty”
  • “From Titanic to Newgrange: Ireland’s Epic Coast”

Visual identity:

  • Coastal scenery (Mournes, Strangford Lough)
  • Heritage sites (castles, monuments)
  • Working harbours (fishing boats)
  • Food/culture (seafood, crafts)
  • Active tourism (hiking, cycling)

Target Markets

Primary international:

  • North America: History buffs, ancestry tourism, coastal drive enthusiasts
  • Germany/Netherlands: Cycling, hiking, heritage
  • France/Spain: Food, culture, scenery
  • Australia/New Zealand: Working holiday visitors, long-stay tourists

Domestic/regional:

  • Republic of Ireland: Weekend breaks, staycations
  • Northern Ireland: Day trips, short breaks
  • Great Britain: Long weekends, touring holidays

Niche markets:

  • Motorhome/caravan: Currently deterred by ferry
  • Cycling: Greenway potential, quiet roads
  • Food tourists: Seafood trail, farm produce
  • Photography: Landscape, heritage
  • Activity: Hiking, water sports, golf

Marketing Channels

Digital:

  • Dedicated website (route planner, bookings)
  • Social media campaigns (#CelticCoastalDrive)
  • Influencer partnerships
  • Google/TripAdvisor optimization
  • Virtual tour content

Traditional:

  • Tourism Ireland global campaigns
  • Travel trade (tour operators, travel agents)
  • Travel media/journalists (fam trips)
  • Print guides & maps
  • Signage & wayfinding

Partnerships:

  • Tourism Ireland
  • Tourism NI
  • Fáilte Ireland
  • Local councils
  • National Trust
  • Heritage bodies

🚧 IMPLEMENTATION PATHWAY

Phase 1: Strategic Alignment (Months 0-12)

Actions:

  1. Joint government agreement
    • NI Executive + Irish Government
    • Link to Narrow Water Bridge
    • Shared Island Fund application
    • PEACE+ Programme inclusion
  2. Tourism sector engagement
    • Tourism Ireland endorsement
    • Fáilte Ireland partnership
    • Tourism NI support
    • Ancient East brand extension
  3. Feasibility study
    • Traffic modeling (with tourism component)
    • Economic impact (including tourism £)
    • Environmental assessment
    • Community consultation

Deliverable: Government commitment to both bridges as linked projects

Phase 2: Detailed Planning (Months 12-30)

Actions:

  1. Engineering design
    • Bridge specifications
    • Environmental mitigation
    • Marine licensing
    • Planning approval
  2. Tourism route development
    • Brand creation
    • Wayfinding strategy
    • Attraction development
    • Marketing plan
  3. Funding package
    • Shared Island Fund
    • PEACE+ allocation
    • UK Levelling Up
    • Private sector (if appropriate)

Deliverable: Full approvals & funding secured

Phase 3: Construction (Months 30-66)

Actions:

  1. Strangford Bridge construction (24-36 months)
  2. Narrow Water Bridge construction (concurrent/sequential)
  3. Route infrastructure (signage, viewing points, trails)
  4. Tourism readiness (accommodation, attractions, marketing)

Deliverable: Both bridges operational

Phase 4: Launch & Marketing (Month 66+)

Actions:

  1. Grand opening (high-profile event)
  2. International launch (Tourism Ireland campaign)
  3. Route promotion (travel trade, media)
  4. Continuous improvement (visitor feedback, enhancements)

Deliverable: Established international touring route

🎯 POLITICAL & STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY

Key Messages by Audience

Irish Government:

  • “Complete the Ancient East vision—extend to Belfast”
  • “Shared Island Fund perfect fit”
  • “Cross-border tourism economic driver”
  • “Good Friday Agreement legacy infrastructure”

UK Government/NI Executive:

  • “Levelling Up eastern Ards & Mourne communities”
  • “Tourism economic catalyst post-COVID recovery”
  • “Complements Narrow Water investment”
  • “Regional development & job creation”
  • “Strategic infrastructure for NI”

Tourism Ireland:

  • “World-class coastal drive product”
  • “Competitive with Scotland’s NC500”
  • “International marketing opportunity”
  • “Enhances Ancient East brand”
  • “Year-round tourism extension”

Local Communities:

  • “Jobs: 170-280 in tourism alone”
  • “Business investment & growth”
  • “Property values increase”
  • “Services & amenities improvement”
  • “Community sustainability”

Environmental Groups:

  • “Reduces overall travel distance (eliminates detours)”
  • “3,800+ tonnes CO₂ saved from freight efficiency”
  • “Sustainable tourism vs air travel”
  • “Ferry replacement reduces marine traffic”
  • “Careful environmental design”

💼 STAKEHOLDER CO-ORDINATION

Government Agencies (Cross-Border)

Republic of Ireland:

  • Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts
  • Fáilte Ireland (tourism development)
  • Department of Transport
  • National Parks & Wildlife Service
  • Local authorities (Louth County Council)

Northern Ireland:

  • Department for Infrastructure (DfI)
  • Tourism NI
  • Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA)
  • Local councils (Ards & North Down, Newry Mourne & Down)

Cross-Border Bodies:

  • Tourism Ireland (marketing)
  • North-South Ministerial Council
  • InterTradeIreland
  • Special EU Programmes Body (PEACE+)

Tourism Industry Partners

Accommodation:

  • Hotels & guesthouses associations
  • Caravan & camping site operators
  • Hostel networks
  • Airbnb hosts/property owners

Attractions:

  • National Trust (Castle Ward, Mourne sites)
  • Titanic Belfast
  • St. Patrick Centre Downpatrick
  • Newgrange (Brú na Bóinne)
  • Local museums & heritage sites

Activities:

  • Outdoor activity providers
  • Cycle hire & tour operators
  • Water sports companies
  • Walking/hiking tour guides
  • Food & drink experiences

Tour Operators:

  • Incoming tour operators (international groups)
  • Coach tour companies
  • Self-drive tour specialists
  • Adventure travel operators

📈 PERFORMANCE METRICS & MONITORING

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Traffic Metrics:

  • Annual vehicle crossings (bridge)
  • Tourist vehicle percentage
  • Seasonal distribution
  • International vs domestic ratio
  • Average length of stay

Economic Indicators:

  • Tourism spending in corridor
  • Bed nights in region
  • Restaurant/attraction revenues
  • Employment in tourism sector
  • Business creation/investment

Tourism Brand:

  • Website traffic & bookings
  • Social media engagement
  • International media coverage
  • Tour operator inclusion
  • TripAdvisor/review ratings

Environmental:

  • Carbon emissions saved
  • Traffic reduction on detour routes
  • Marine environment monitoring
  • Air quality improvements

Baseline Establishment

Before bridge opening:

  • Current ferry usage patterns
  • Existing tourism spending
  • Employment baseline
  • Environmental baseline
  • Community baseline survey

Post-opening monitoring:

  • Year 1, 3, 5, 10 assessments
  • Continuous traffic counting
  • Annual economic impact studies
  • Visitor surveys & satisfaction
  • Community impact assessment

🌟 SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES TO DEVELOP

Route Attractions Enhancement

Viewing Points & Interpretation:

  • Strangford Lough viewpoint (both sides of bridge)
  • Mourne panorama stops (multiple locations)
  • Heritage interpretation panels
  • Wildlife viewing areas (seals, birds)
  • Photography platforms

Active Tourism Infrastructure:

  • Greenway extensions (cycle/walk paths)
  • Strangford Lough circuit (100km+ cycling route)
  • Lecale Way walking trail connections
  • Mourne Wall challenge (hiking)
  • Water access points (kayaking, sailing)

Food & Drink Trail:

  • “Three Ports Seafood Trail” (Ardglass, Portavogie, Kilkeel)
  • Farm shops & producers
  • Craft breweries & distilleries
  • Artisan food makers
  • Restaurant networks

Heritage Experiences:

  • Castle Ward (Game of Thrones tours)
  • St. Patrick Trail (Downpatrick focus)
  • Viking heritage (Strangford)
  • Monastic sites circuit
  • Famine & emigration heritage

Signature Events:

  • Annual coastal marathon/cycling sportive
  • Seafood festivals (each port)
  • Heritage weekends
  • Dark skies events (Mournes)
  • Music & culture festivals

🔗 SYNERGY WITH OTHER INITIATIVES

Game of Thrones Legacy

Northern Ireland filming locations:

  • Castle Ward (Winterfell)
  • Tollymore Forest (Haunted Forest)
  • Audley’s Castle
  • Inch Abbey

Tourism impact:

  • GoT Studio Tour (Belfast) major attraction
  • Location tours popular
  • International draw (especially USA)
  • Bridge enables easier location touring

Titanic Heritage

Belfast Titanic Quarter:

  • Titanic Belfast museum (global attraction)
  • SS Nomadic
  • Titanic Hotel
  • Maritime heritage

Connection:

  • Belfast start point for coastal drive
  • “From Titanic to Ancient Ireland” narrative
  • Cruise ship tourists (Belfast port)
  • Bridge enables day trips from Belfast

Active Travel Networks

National Cycle Network:

  • NCN Route 9 (Belfast-Newry)
  • Comber Greenway
  • Planned extensions

Walking Routes:

  • Ulster Way sections
  • Lecale Way
  • Mourne Way
  • St. Patrick’s Way

Bridge enhancement:

  • Pedestrian/cycle lanes on bridge
  • Closes gaps in networks
  • Enables circular routes
  • Multi-day touring

Dark Skies & Nature Tourism

Mournes Dark Sky Park:

  • International Dark Sky status
  • Stargazing tourism
  • Observatory facilities
  • Growing niche market

Strangford Lough:

  • Marine Conservation Zone
  • National Nature Reserve
  • Wildlife tourism (seals, birds, otters)
  • Eco-tourism potential

Bridge benefits:

  • Better access to both areas
  • Circular route opportunities
  • Reduced light pollution vs ferry terminal
  • Nature-based tourism growth

💡 INNOVATION OPPORTUNITIES

Digital Route Experience

Mobile App Development:

  • Interactive route planner
  • Augmented reality (heritage sites)
  • Audio guides (storytelling)
  • Real-time information (traffic, weather, events)
  • Booking integration (accommodation, activities)

Smart Tourism:

  • QR codes at attractions
  • Digital passports (collect stamps)
  • Gamification (challenges, rewards)
  • Social sharing integration
  • Virtual tour previews

Sustainable Tourism

Green Credentials:

  • EV charging network (every 30-50km)
  • Cycle hire schemes
  • Public transport links (bus, rail)
  • Carbon offset options
  • Sustainable accommodation certification

Visitor Management:

  • Capacity monitoring
  • Season spreading (off-peak incentives)
  • Alternative route suggestions
  • Timed entry (major attractions)
  • Parking management

Film & Media Location

Tourism Promotion Through Media:

  • Film/TV location scouting support
  • Screen tourism development
  • Documentary partnerships
  • Social media influencer programs
  • Photography exhibitions

Content Creation:

  • Professional photography library
  • Drone footage (scenic)
  • Time-lapse compilations
  • Seasonal showcases
  • User-generated content campaigns

🚨 RISK MANAGEMENT

Tourism Development Risks

Risk                                   Mitigation
Over-tourism in sensitive areas        Visitor management plans, capacity limits,
                                       season spreading
Environmental impact                   Monitoring programs, adaptive management, 
                                       education
Community concerns                     Early consultation, local employment 
                                       priority, benefit sharing
Weather/seasonality                    Year-round activities, indoor attractions, 
                                       event programming
Competition from other routes          Unique positioning, quality standards, 
                                       continuous innovation
Economic downturn                      Domestic market focus, value offerings, 
                                       resilience planning

Dependencies & Contingencies

Critical dependencies:

  • Narrow Water Bridge completion (parallel timeline desirable)
  • Tourism Ireland marketing commitment
  • Local tourism infrastructure readiness
  • Accommodation capacity expansion
  • Environmental approvals

Contingency plans:

  • Phased tourism development (if Narrow Water delayed)
  • Stand-alone Ards Peninsula promotion
  • Three-port seafood focus (less dependent on Narrow Water)
  • Domestic/regional market emphasis initially
  • Flexible marketing budget allocation

🏆 SUCCESS CASE STUDIES

Øresund Bridge (Denmark-Sweden)

Context:

  • Opened 2000
  • Connects Copenhagen (Denmark) to Malmö (Sweden)
  • 8km combined bridge-tunnel
  • Tourism boom: Both cities benefited massively

Lessons:

  • Cross-border infrastructure catalyzes tourism
  • “Two countries, one region” marketing successful
  • Regional economic integration accelerated
  • Culture & tourism cooperation strengthened

Strangford parallel:

  • Cross-border cooperation model
  • Tourism integration opportunity
  • Economic corridor creation
  • Political will essential

Millau Viaduct (France)

Context:

  • Opened 2004
  • Southern France, 2.5km bridge
  • Removed bottleneck on Paris-Barcelona route
  • Became tourist attraction itself

Impact:

  • 3-4 million visitors annually (to view bridge)
  • Regional tourism increased 30%+
  • Local economy transformed
  • Design excellence celebrated globally

Lessons:

  • Infrastructure can be tourism attraction
  • Design quality matters
  • Regional benefits exceed transport value
  • Viewing facilities important

Strangford potential:

  • Architectural excellence
  • Viewing areas both shores
  • Bridge lighting/design feature
  • Instagram/photography appeal

Confederation Bridge (Canada)

Context:

  • Opened 1997
  • Connects Prince Edward Island to mainland
  • 12.9km bridge (longest in world over ice-covered waters)
  • Replaced ferry service

Impact:

  • PEI tourism increased 60% first decade
  • Year-round accessibility
  • Economic transformation
  • Population growth reversed decline

Lessons:

  • Ferry replacement unlocks potential
  • Island/peninsula connectivity crucial
  • Tourism sector primary beneficiary
  • Long-term regional transformation

Strangford direct parallel:

  • Ferry replacement
  • Peninsula connectivity
  • Tourism growth opportunity
  • Economic catalyst potential

💰 FUNDING PROPOSAL FRAMEWORK

Multi-Source Funding Strategy

Estimated total investment:

  • Strangford Bridge: £50-150M (engineering-dependent)
  • Route infrastructure: £10-20M (signage, trails, facilities)
  • Marketing & brand: £5-10M (3-year launch campaign)
  • Total: £65-180M

Proposed Funding Mix

1. Irish Shared Island Fund (30-40%)

  • Request: €30-50M
  • Rationale: Cross-border tourism, Ancient East extension
  • Precedent: Narrow Water Bridge commitment
  • Alignment: Shared Island strategy priorities

2. UK Levelling Up Fund (30-40%)

  • Request: £30-50M
  • Rationale: Regional development, tourism, connectivity
  • Alignment: NI priorities, coastal communities
  • Precedent: Major infrastructure awards

3. EU PEACE+ Programme (15-25%)

  • Request: €15-30M
  • Rationale: Cross-border cooperation, economic regeneration
  • Theme fit: Economic transformation, peaceful communities
  • Joint application: Both governments

4. Tourism Development (5-10%)

  • Tourism Ireland: Marketing investment
  • Fáilte Ireland: Route development
  • Tourism NI: Infrastructure support
  • Total: £5-10M

5. Private Sector/Local (5-10%)

  • Land value capture
  • Developer contributions
  • Local councils
  • Toll revenue bonds (if applicable)
  • Total: £5-10M

Application Strategy

Phase 1: Strategic alignment

  • Both governments agree joint application
  • Link Strangford + Narrow Water as package
  • Tourism economic case emphasized
  • Cross-border cooperation highlighted

Phase 2: Parallel applications

  • Shared Island Fund (Irish Gov)
  • Levelling Up Fund (UK Gov)
  • PEACE+ (joint application)
  • Coordinated timing

Phase 3: Gap funding

  • Tourism agencies
  • Private sector engagement
  • Bond financing (if toll-based)
  • Phased delivery if needed

📋 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS – IMMEDIATE

Next 30 Days

1. Stakeholder Briefings

  • Tourism Ireland: Present integrated vision
  • Fáilte Ireland: Ancient East extension discussion
  • Tourism NI: Strategic alignment
  • Both governments: Linked project proposal

2. Documentation Development

  • Update feasibility study (add tourism dimension)
  • Economic impact revision (include tourism £)
  • Create integrated funding proposal
  • Develop marketing concepts

3. Political Engagement

  • NI Executive ministers briefing
  • Irish Government contacts (Dept of Tourism)
  • Cross-party political support
  • North-South Ministerial Council

Next 90 Days

4. Funding Applications

  • Shared Island Fund submission
  • Levelling Up Fund application
  • PEACE+ expression of interest
  • Tourism agency commitments

5. Tourism Sector Mobilization

  • Industry stakeholder forum
  • Tour operator presentations
  • Accommodation sector engagement
  • Activity provider network

6. Public Campaign

  • “Complete the Coastal Drive” messaging
  • Visuals: Rendered bridge, route maps
  • Social media launch
  • Media engagement (travel press)

Next 12 Months

7. Detailed Route Planning

  • Signage & wayfinding design
  • Viewing points identification
  • Greenway connections
  • Attraction enhancement

8. Brand Development

  • Route name finalization
  • Visual identity creation
  • Website development
  • Marketing materials

9. Partnership Agreements

  • Government MOU (both jurisdictions)
  • Tourism Ireland partnership
  • Local council cooperation
  • Private sector engagement

🎯 CONCLUSION

The Strangford Lough Crossing, combined with Narrow Water Bridge, represents a transformational opportunity to create one of Europe’s premier coastal touring routes.

The Compelling Case

✅ Completes the A2 coastal route (Belfast to Dublin)
✅ Unlocks Ireland’s Ancient East northern extension
✅ Cross-border cooperation showcase project
✅ Tourism economic catalyst (£15-30M annually at maturity)
✅ Employment creation (170-280 tourism jobs)
✅ International marketing opportunity
✅ Strategic alignment with both governments
✅ Strong funding synergies (Shared Island, Levelling Up, PEACE+)
✅ Freight & tourism dual benefits
✅ Environmental positives (reduced travel, sustainable tourism)
✅ Community development for isolated areas

The Timing is Perfect

  • Narrow Water Bridge approved and funded
  • Shared Island Fund actively seeking projects
  • PEACE+ Programme aligned priorities
  • Ireland’s Ancient East established brand seeking growth
  • Post-COVID tourism recovery investment phase
  • Cross-border cooperation political momentum

The Ask

For government decision-makers:

  • Designate as strategic national infrastructure
  • Joint funding commitment (ROI + UK)
  • Link to Narrow Water Bridge as integrated project
  • Fast-track approvals (planning, environmental)

For tourism agencies:

  • Endorsement & partnership commitments
  • Marketing investment allocation
  • Route development support
  • International promotion integration

For stakeholders:

  • Active support & advocacy
  • Joint campaign participation
  • Investment readiness (businesses, communities)

The Strangford Lough Crossing isn’t just about connecting two shores—it’s about connecting two nations, completing a world-class tourism product, and transforming the economic future of coastal communities.

Let’s make the Celtic Coastal Drive a reality.

Prepared for: www.strangfordloughcrossing.org