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funding will support preparatory work required to bring large scale outdoor recreation projects to a shovel-ready stage
investment will ensure a strong pipeline of outdoor amenity projects right across the country in the coming years
Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys has today (Tuesday 21 November 2023) announced funding of almost €2.3 million to support the development of 50 outdoor adventure projects across Ireland.
The investment under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) will be key to enhancing outdoor amenities such as our walkways, cycleways, rivers, lakes and beaches.
The projects, when ultimately delivered, will also provide a major boost to local economies by attracting visitors and furthering our reputation as a destination for adventure tourism.
This funding will be invested in 50 outdoor recreation projects that are currently at the early stage of development.
These projects are to receive funding of up to €50,000 to bring them to a shovel-ready stage. Once at a shovel ready stage, they will be in a position to secure further funding through the other measures of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Funding for the delivery of projects on the ground under the other Measures of the scheme will be announced by Minister Humphreys early next year.
Among the projects being funded under the Project Development Measure today include:
Killala, Co. Mayo: Scoping the creation of Ireland’s first underwater artificial reef in Killala bay and environmental planning costs - €50,000
Slieve Bearnagh Mountain, Co. Clare: Feasibility study for the development of a Cycling Hub in Slieve Bearnagh - €50,000
Linn Taoide Arainn, Co. Galway: Feasibility Study for provision of tidal pool on Arainn along the seashore - €35,847
Derryounce, Co. Laois: Feasibility Study for the potential development of the Derryounce Amenity Area - €44,280
Castlerea, Co. Roscommon: Screening, environmental assessments and preparation for development of Castlerea Riverside Boardwalk - €50,000
Bray Head, Co Wicklow: Recreation Plan to manage and protect the landscape and ensure safe and appropriate recreation - €45,000
New Ross, Co. Wexford: Planning and design for water sports opportunities in New Ross and the tidal section of the River Barrow - €47,579
Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said:
“We’re now heading into the darker days of winter and it’s more important than ever to make the most of those precious daylight hours by getting out and about when you can. The funding I’m announcing today will support the further development of our hiking trails, water based activities and other amenities making them even more enjoyable places for families to visit nationwide. These amenities are here for us all to enjoy. I would encourage everyone who can to get out and about, and make the most of what our countryside has to offer.”
Minister Humphreys continued:
“The government’s Rural Development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’, has allowed us to invest in our outdoor amenities at a level never before seen in Ireland. The economic and social benefits of this investment for our rural heartland can be seen today through the unprecedented number of people enjoying the new amenities my department has funded in collaboration with local communities all over the country. I’m also pleased that this investment will mark another step forward in delivering on the government’s ambitious new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy – Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors.”
A full list of successful projects is available below.
Notes
List of successful projects ORIS project development measure
Organisation
Project name
Project description
Amount approved
CAVAN
Cavan County Council
Swellan Lough Study
Study to identify potential of development of Swellan Lough as a recreational amenity
€49,500.00
Cavan County Council (joint with Leitrim County council)
Lough MacNean Canoe Trail
Comprehensive cross county feasibility study into the sustainable development of an innovative canoe trail. (Sum of €22,693.50 shared with Leitrim)
€22,693.50
CLARE
Clare County Council
Slieve Bearnagh Mountain Bike Trail
Feasibility study for the development of a Cycling Hub in Slieve Bearnagh
€50,000.00
Clare County Council
River Fergus Activities Hub
Carry out necessary surveys, assessment and design works for the development of infrastructure that would accommodate water-based activities on the River Fergus
€50,000.00
CORK
Cork County Council
Knockadoon
To explore the potential to extend the existing Capel View Cliff Walk eastwards from Knockadoon Pier
€50,000.00
Cork County Council
River Sullane Crossing
Proposal to Design a pedestrian bridge to link the North of River Sullane section of Town Park to the South section of the park
€50,000.00
DONEGAL
Donegal County Council
The Swilly Way – Riverside Walk
This project will seek to facilitate landowner engagement/stakeholder engagement, detailed design & tender preparation
€50,000.00
Donegal County Council
Ballyconnell Estate & Gardens Falcarragh
Multi-disciplinary team to prepare reports &documents to inform the further enhancement of the recreational amenity
€50,000.00
DUBLIN
Fingal County Council
Sea Swimming at Skerries Springers
Feasibility Study for the development of infrastructure such as showers and changing facilities and completion of ramped access
€40,500.00
GALWAY
Galway County Council
Renville Forest Park Masterplan
Plan to develop a Major Tourism Attraction, Building on the Unique Heritage of Renville Forest Park
€49,950.00
Galway County Council
Ballinasloe Outdoor Recreation Park
Feasibility study exploring the options for the development of a public park in Ballinasloe
€49,950.00
Galway County Council
Linn Taoide Arainn
Feasibility Study for Provision of tidal pool on Arainn along the seashore
€35,847.45
INLAND FISHERIES
Inland Fisheries
Clonwal Footbridge
Planning and design for the removal of an existing footbridge and new structure
€29,700.00
Inland Fisheries
Angling Accessibility South Western River Basin District
Planning and design for angling infrastructure improvements including accessible angling stands and steps
€25,650.00
KERRY
Kerry County Council
Universal access to Ballybunion beaches
Design an accessible pedestrian route to the promenade, beach level and the proposed ‘Facility Centre for Water Based Sports Activities’ at Men’s Beach
€50,000.00
Kerry County Council
Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Visitor and Community Mobility Management Plan for Valentia
Design a greenway linking Knightstown, Chapeltown, Skellig Experience and Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Point at Bray Head
€50,000.00
KILDARE
Kildare County
Corbally Canal and River Liffey Corridor Enhancement Feasibility
Feasibility study to assess the development potential for enhancing the Corbally Canal between Naas and Corbally Basin as a Greenway
€45,000.00
Kildare County Council
Liffey Valley Park – Leixlip – Straffan
Feasibility study to assess the potential of delivering a section of the wider Liffey Valley Park by way of a series of connected public open spaces
€45,000.00
KILKENNY
Kilkenny County Council
Kings River Boardwalk and Pedestrian Bridge, Kells, Co. Kilkenny.
Technical consultation, & update the existing Feasibility Study through planning for Kings River Boardwalk and Pedestrian Bridge
€49,500.00
Kilkenny County Council
Brandon Hill Summit Walk – Upland Trail Enhancement Scheme
Engage consultants to deliver a service brief for the restoration of the upland section of the Brandon Hill Summit Walk
€49,500.00
LAOIS
Laois County Council
Derryounce Amenity Area
Completion of a Feasibility Study for the potential development of the Derryounce Amenity Area
€44,280.00
LEITRIM
Leitrim County Council - joint with Cavan County Council
Lough MacNean Canoe Trail
Comprehensive cross county feasibility study into the sustainable development of an innovative canoe trail. (Sum of €22,693.50 shared with Leitrim)
€22,693.50
Leitrim County Council
Fenagh Abbey Trail
Design and planning approval for a 450-metre section of a looped walking trail around the Fenagh Abbey site, St Catherine's Church of Ireland and Fenagh village
€34,200.00
LIMERICK
Limerick County Council
Changing rooms / shower facilities and graded slipway at Kilteery Pier, Loghill
Appropriate assessment, environmental screening, part 8 application and preparation of tender pack for changing rooms, shower facilities and slipway at Kilteery Pier, Loghill
€50,000.00
Limerick County Council
Blackrock Loop_Ballyhoura Way
The project will provide appropriate assessment, environmental screening and management plan for a 4km section of walking trail in the Ballyhoura Mountains
€34,200.00
LONGFORD
Longford County Council
North Longford Accessible for All Water Access
Feasibility and environmental assessments, including appropriate assessment required for the development of water access points in Lough Gowna & North Longford
€49,500.00
Longford County Council
South Longford Accessible for All Water Access
Feasibility and environmental assessments, including appropriate assessment required for the development of water access points at Longford, Lanesborough and Ballymahon
€49,500.00
MAYO
Mayo County Council
Killala Bay Ships Reefs
Scoping the creation of Ireland’s first underwater artificial reef in Killala bay and environmental planning costs
€50,000.00
Mayo County Council
Cong to Lisloughrey Pier Recreational Trail
Detailed design for a new 3.5km scenic trail connecting Cong and the 19th Century Dry canal structure and onwards to Kellys cave
€50,000.00
MEATH
Meath County Council
Provision of a Boardwalk through the Dunes from Mornington to Bettystown
Completion of environmental assessments, preliminary design and specification for a planning application
€50,000.00
MONAGHAN
Monaghan County Council
Creevy Lough Recreational Masterplan
Design consultancy for a Recreational Masterplan of Creevy Lough, Carrickmacross
€50,000.00
Monaghan County Council
Drum Lough Circular Walkway
Professional design, costing and planning ervices for creation of Drum Lough Circular Walkway
€50,000.00
OFFALY
Offaly County Council
Peatland Communities of Offaly: Quality of Life, Place & Experience
Technical support for communities to identify cluster opportunities for linking tracks, trails and recreational amenities in the peatlands
€49,500.00
ROSCOMMON
Roscommon County Council
Castlerea Riverside Boardwalk
Screening, environmental assessments and preparation for development of Castlerea Riverside Boardwalk
€50,000.00
Roscommon County Council
Athleague Village Looped Walk linked to Suck Valley Way
Screening, route design and preparation for Athleague Village Looped Walk linked to Suck Valley Way
€50,000.00
SLIGO
Sligo County Council
Hazelwood Footbridge
Feasibility for a pedestrian/cyclist bridge across the Garavogue River at Cleveragh
€50,000.00
Sligo County Council
Lough Lumman Viewing Point
Feasibility for the development of an iconic viewing point platform at Lough Lumman on the Sligo Way.
€50,000.00
Sligo County Council
Coney Island Access
Identification of deliverable improvements to pier facilities at Coney Island
€50,000.00
TIPPERARY
Tipperary County Council
Garrykennedy Inner Harbour Upgrade
Consultancy services to undertake planning and design works for the upgrading of the inner harbour in Garrykennedy
€49,500.00
Tipperary County Council
Roscrea River Rooms
Consultancy for detailed design, planning and feasibility for a series of connected spaces along the riverside in Roscrea
€49,999.50
WATERFORD
Waterford County Council
Comeragh Mountains Outdoor Recreation Management Plan
Plan for the development and management of high-quality Outdoor Recreation Opportunities in the Comeragh Mountains
€50,000.00
Waterford County Council
Blackwater River Valley Outdoor Recreation: Development of River Access Points for Water-based Activity
Design of improved river access points to facilitate water-based activities at Ballyduff Upper, Tallow (R. Bride) and Lismore (R. Owenashad) in Blackwater River Valley
€50,000.00
WESTMEATH
Westmeath County Council
Greenway link from Castletown Geoghegan to the Old Rail Trail
Design and planning for a Greenway link from Castletown Geoghegan Rail Station to the village of Castletown Geoghegan
€50,000.00
Westmeath County Council
Moate Gateway Linear Park
Design of a 6km spiritual and cultural trail in Moate Gateway Linear Park
€50,000.00
WEXFORD
Wexford County Council
New Ross Water Hub Development
Planning and design for water sports opportunities in New Ross and the tidal section of the river barrow
€47,578.50
Wexford County Council
The Cot Watersports Hub and Trailhead
Planning and design for new infrastructure to support a water trail
€35,795.00
WICKLOW
Wicklow County Council
Lugnaquilla Recreation Plan
Recreation Plan for the Lugnaquilla uplands area to manage visitor numbers, land use, habitats and safety in changes to access routes
€45,000.00
Wicklow County Council
Bray Head Sustainable Recreation Plan
Recreation Plan to manage and protect the landscape and ensure safe and appropriate recreation
€45,000.00
UDARAS
Udaras
Lúibín Gharumna
Planning, design and screening for the development of Additional Spurs on Luibín Gharumna
€22,770.00
Udaras
Cois Caolaire
Planning and screening for the extension of an existing walk to 5km and incorporating a strong heritage engagement experience
€45,810.00
**TOTAL
€2,268,117.45
Our Rural Future
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025 It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027, launched in 2023 was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is a collaborative cross-government, stakeholder-led strategy. It reflects the views of stakeholders, the public and the whole of government and it sets the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding as follows:
Measure 1: Small scale repair/development/promotion and marketing (up to €30,000 grant available)
Measure 2: Medium scale upgrade and new trail/amenity development (up to €200,000 grant available)
Measure 3: Large scale repair/upgrade and new strategic trail/amenity development (up to €500,000 grant available)
Project Development Measure: Development costs for strategic large scale Measure 2 or Measure 3 type projects, for example: detailed design, preparation for the planning and/or procurement, appropriate assessment (up to €50,000 grant available)