Minister Calleary announces over €16.5 million for 63 outdoor recreation projects
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 3 November 2025
- Last updated on: 3 November 2025
- Investment in recreational facilities such as walking trails, cycleways, water-based amenities and mountain access routes
- Projects directly support the ambition of the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy: ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’
During a visit to Clare Island in Co. Mayo, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today (Monday, 3 November 2025) announced €16.5 million to deliver 63 projects nationwide through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).
The funding announced today is in respect of Measures 2 and 3 of the scheme which provides funding of up to €500,000 for strategic repair and maintenance of existing facilities together with the development of new recreational infrastructure.
Among the 63 projects announced today, which are located across every county in Ireland, are walking trails, mountain access projects, and outdoor water-based amenities. Examples of these projects include:
- Co. Cavan – Kingscourt: Development of a greenway hub in Kingscourt with car parking and seating - €500,000.
- Co. Cork – Durrus: Phase II linking the initial phase of the walkway with Durrus Village - €196,395.
- Co. Donegal – Carrigart to Downings: Final phase of works to complete the walkway between Carrigart and Downings- €500,000.
- Co. Louth – Boyne Greenway: Enhancement and extension of the North Bank of the Boyne Greenway including widening, resurfacing and relining of paths and installation of lighting. - €500,000.
- Co. Mayo – Clare Island: Upgrade existing Clewbay bike trail path to a standard that allows accessibility for all - €500,000.
- Co. Waterford – Villierstown: Villierstown Quay enhancement and upgrade to facilitate water based outdoor recreation activities. €200,000
- Co. Wicklow – Djouce Mountain: Djouce Mountain Trail construction and habitat restoration. - €445,500.
Speaking today, Minister Calleary said:
“I am delighted to make this significant funding announcement today for outdoor recreational facilities. This investment will further enhance these spaces which not only act as recreational and social spaces for our communities but also add greatly to our tourism sector.
“Today’s announcement, on Clare Island, will see a wide range of capital projects delivered across the country covering walking and cycling trails, upland paths, and enhancements in water-based activities. This is all further delivering on the objectives of our national outdoor recreation strategy Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors.”
The 63 projects announced today are in addition to the 221 projects announced by Minister Calleary in August. The funding allocated under the 2024/2025 programme now stands at over €25.27 million, the largest approval to date under ORIS.
Minister Calleary concluded by saying:
“The funding for the project that I have announced for Clare Island will see upgrade works on the existing path so that the Clewbay bike trail can be extended further into the island. This project is the outcome of true collaboration between many stakeholders, and indeed it is investment that supports a number of my department’s objectives.”
Minister Calleary today also confirmed that the Second Progress Report for Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors has now been published on the Department’s website. The report outlines the significant progress being made across the range of important actions in the strategy. A copy of the report is available here.
Details of the 63 projects announced today are available here.
Notes
2024/25 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme
The Scheme is administered at a local level by local authorities and local development companies. Examples of activities which applicants should have in mind when submitting applications for the 2024/25 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) include:
| Land-Based | Water-Based | Air-Based |
| Walking | Canoeing/ Kayaking/SUP | Paragliding |
| Hillwalking/Hiking | Rowing | Hang-gliding |
| Leisure Cycling | Open Water Swimming including Tidal Pools | |
| Mountain Biking | Surfing | |
| Equestrian Trails | Coasteering | |
| Trail/Off-road Running | Wind surfing/Kite Surfing/SUP | |
| Orienteering | Sailing | |
| Bouldering, Scrambling, Rock Climbing, Mountaineering | Diving |
ORIS 2024/25 provides funding as follows:
- Measure 1 –
- Small scale repair/development/promotion and marketing.
- Funding of up to €40,000 at a 90% rate of aid.
- Measure 2 –
- Medium scale repair/upgrade and new trail/amenity development.
- Funding of up to €200,000 at a 90% rate of aid.
- Measure 3 –
- Large scale repair/upgrade and new strategic trail/amenity development
- Funding of up to €500,000 at a 90% rate of aid.
- Project Development Measure –
- Detailed development of projects which would enable them to reach a standard for application under Measure 2 or Measure 3 of ORIS.
- Funding of up to €50,000 at a 90% rate of aid.
Details of previous successful projects under ORIS can be found here.