Minister Calleary opens outdoor recreation facilities in County Kilkenny
-
From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 25 June 2025
- Last updated on: 25 June 2025
- Funding of €400,000 was provided for two key Kilkenny projects
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today (Wednesday, 25th June) officially opened a number of recreational amenities in County Kilkenny.
These facilities have been revitalised with support from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, which is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
Refurbishment works in Woodstock Gardens & Arboretum in Inistioge will result in a more accessible and inclusive amenity. It includes the restoration of a 1.5km Walkway, the installation of age friendly seating, new accessible/inclusive play spaces and the provision of dedicated bike parking. Funding of €200,000 was provided under the ORIS programme for this project.
Also under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, funding of €200,000 was provided for Jenkinstown Wood. This was used for the rehabilitation of the existing two loop walks and the creation of a new fully accessible looped walk with age friendly seating and upgraded signage along all trails. A new access ramp to provide connectivity to the carpark and landscaping were also funded.
Speaking today in Kilkenny, Minister Calleary said:
“I’m delighted to be here in Kilkenny today to open these facilities. Funds, such as those allocated through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, are provided to develop and enhance our outdoor facilities which are vital for both our physical and mental wellbeing.
My Department has a strategic partnership in place with Coillte which is investing €3 million every year to develop and maintain Coillte’s recreational offering across over 250 sites throughout Ireland.
The works completed in these two locations are a clear indication of the strength of that partnership and is testament to the wonderful work being done through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme here in Kilkenny and across the country.
Under the 2023 ORIS scheme, County Kilkenny was approved almost €1.2 million for 12 projects and since 2020, funding of over almost €4.4 million has been approved for 51 projects in the county.”
Notes:
2024/25 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme
The Scheme is administered at a local level by local authorities and local development companies. It will prioritise projects which have evidence of strong community engagement. 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 |
Details of previous successful projects under ORIS can be found here.