Irish minister of state for tourism and sport Michael Ring has allocated EUR1.8m (£1.4m) for the first phase of a new tourism route along the west coast - the Wild Atlantic Way.

The scheme will become the country's first long-distance driving route for visitors between Donegal and Cork and is designed to rival similar projects in Australia and South Africa.

It is hoped the initiative will draw more visitors to the west coast by linking destinations and attractions under a current theme. The first pilot phase will be located in Connemara.

Ring said: "The Wild Atlantic Way will open up the whole of the west coast to visitors. It will be a way to entice visitors off the beaten track and help them to discover new areas of the west coast."

Details: www.transport.ie