Huge funding granted to midlands under new Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Wednesday, August 3) announced funding of almost €6 million to develop outdoor adventure projects across the country.
The investment, under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), will be key to enhancing outdoor amenities such as walkways, cycleways, rivers, lakes and beaches.
The Old Rail Trail Greenway in Moate has been granted €30,000 in funding to provide ramped access.
The Portlick Millenium Forest Walk will also receive €30,000 to upgrade the toilet facilities and carry out maintenance works on the trails and looped walks.
The Lakeshore/Woodland Trail at Lilliput has secured €30,000 under the new scheme.
Meanwhile, in Roscommon various outdoor recreation sites will receive €30,000 in funding to develop a quality framework and ensure a comprehensive assessment of outdoor recreation.
The Roscommon Walks and Cycleway has been granted €27,900 in funding to reprint and market the Roscommon Walks and Cycleway book.
Finally, various waymarked trails will obtain €29,970 under the new scheme.
Minister Hackett welcomed the latest ORIS funding of €82,386 for outdoor projects in Offaly. Minister Hackett said: "I am delighted to see funding to offer locals and visitors in our beautiful outdoors help to make walks safer and more accessible to all."
It will also provide a major boost to local economies by attracting visitors and furthering Ireland's reputation as a destination for adventure tourism.
As part of today’s announcement, almost €4.3 million will be used to improve some 163 outdoor amenities across the country. Each project will receive up to €30,000 to support their enhancement.
Furthermore, funding will also be invested in 37 outdoor projects that are currently at the early stage of development. These projects are to receive funding of up to €50,000.
Funding for larger scale projects under Measures 2 and 3 of the scheme will be announced by Minister Humphreys in the coming weeks.
Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said:
“We’re at the height of the summer and whatever the weather I know families are getting out and enjoying Ireland’s great outdoors.
“The funding I’m announcing today will support the further development of our greenways, blueways and hiking trails making them even more enjoyable places for families to visit.
“Every county will benefit from today’s announcement so if you’re a walker, a swimmer, a cyclist or even a fisherman check out the list to see what’s happening in your county. Getting active in the fresh air outdoors can be a tonic for the body and soul and this was brought home to us all during the pandemic.
“Some of these amenities are often hidden gems on our doorsteps so I’m encouraging people to get out and discover them over the rest of the summer.”
Minister Humphreys continued:
“Over the last number of years my Department has provided unprecedented investment in our outdoor amenities, underpinned by our most ambitious rural development policy in decades, ‘Our Rural Future.’
“Outdoor recreation tourism is a growing sector internationally, and has the potential to have major economic spin-off benefits for our rural towns and villages.
“My Department is at an advanced stage of developing the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy which will underpin this investment and give it a platform for further growth.”