The local community development groups of Courtown (Ireland) and Aberdyfi (Wales) have established a cross border link to develop a sustainable tourism and marine infrastructural initiative based on the environmental assets of the areas.

To progress these projects the support for the Technical and Economic Feasibility Studies for Courtown has been received from the European Union Interreg IIIA Fund, Wexford County Council, WORD (Leader II) and Gorey Courtown Forest Park Ltd.

When both groups Gorey Courtown Forest Park Ltd and Aberdyfi Partnership Limited made initial contact with one another they quickly determined the major benefits that could be derived by the groups common actions and implementation of joint project/s.

The maritime linkage of the two communities, located 65 nautical miles by sea from one another presented the most worthwhile theme for development, providing economic and social enhancement opportunities for the wider communities.

Following initial consultation at local level by both groups via community group meetings, meetings with local state and semi-state development bodies and meetings with area planners, the aspects that both groups had in common were determined as follows:-

• Significant Rural Decline through reform of agriculture (CAP & GATT) in both communities.
  
  
• Similarities in the profile of both groups being COASTAL COMMUNITIES with underdeveloped long-standing marine infra structure.
  
  
• Outstanding Natural Beauty of the areas attracting a tourist population by land and not by sea.
  
  
• Proximity of both communities to each other by sea.
  
  
• The indigenous sailing population in both communities – ie Courtown Sailing Club & Aberdyfi Yacht & Boat Club.
  
  
• The lack of marine infrastructure to enable safe access to and from the sea.