Irish tourism, culture and sport minister Mary Hanafin has revealed that three tourism schemes are set to benefit from a share of €6.6m (£5.5m) of development funding.

The Lee Valley Project in Tralee, County Kerry, has been awarded nearly €3m (£2.5m) to develop additional eco-friendly visitor experiences as part of an expanded nature reserve.

It is hoped the scheme will transform the Lee Valley area into an eco-tourism destination, including a wetlands nature zone, safari boats and a freshwater activity lake.

More than €2.2m (£1.8m) has been earmarked for a revamp of the Dublin Writer's Museum, which aims to provide the centre of a proposed "cultural cluster" in the Parnell Square area.

Elsewhere, more than €1.4m (£1.2m) has been allocated to the creation of the New Ross Quay Boardwalk in County Wexford, which is promoted by New Ross Town Council.

Hanafin said: "This is a significant investment in visitor attractions and a key part of our strategy to drive tourism across all the regions.

"The tourism industry continues to face a very difficult international economic climate and the government, in partnership with the industry, is helping to meet this challenge through the provision of significant additional tourism capital funding this year."