A scheme launched today will let up to 62 towns around the country compete for new tourism funding of 15 million euro from Fáilte Ireland. The money will be made available through local authorities which can nominate two towns in their area that have the potential to become so-called 'destination towns'.

Also yesterday, Dublin was named the best-rated destination in Ireland for tourists in TripAdvisor’s annual Travellers’ Choice Awards for destinations.