More than €400k allocated to 15 Cork outdoor projects

THE Minister for Rural and Community Development has announced funding of €410,584 for 15 outdoor recreation projects in Cork as part of a nationwide investment of €4.1m under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).

Minister Heather Humphreys announced the €4.1m in funding to develop and enhance over 150 outdoor recreation projects across the country on Thursday.

The investment is aimed at mountain trails, forest walks, cycleways, rivers, lakes, and beaches and will give local economies a boost by attracting more visitors.

Some of the projects in Cork that have received funding include €26,880 for the development of a new 2.2 km section of Slí Gaeltacht Mhuscraí, €30,000 for the installation of fencing along the Old West Cork Railway at the Bandon walkway to civic amenity site, €30,000 for the resurfacing of sections of the river walk at Island Wood in Newmarket, €30,000 for enhancement works to the walk linking Rostellen to Aghada, €16,238 for the creation of a network of trails in Glansheskin Wood and €30,000 for the creation of a river walk along the Glen River in Banteer.

Minister Humphreys said: “With summer just a couple of months away, I’m really pleased to announce over €4.1m to develop over 150 outdoor recreation projects right across rural Ireland.

“The investment will greatly enhance the natural amenities right on our doorstep — from our walkways, mountain trails and forest walks, to our cycleways, beaches and rivers.

“I believe the projects will play an important role in attracting more visitors to our towns and villages. So my big message as minister is to get out and explore those hidden gems in your community. The clocks are going forward this weekend — a perfect reason to go on that hike or cycle and enjoy the great outdoors.

“The government’s rural development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’ and the new national outdoor recreation strategy, ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, have together set the stage to strengthen and the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come.

“The health benefits from engaging in outdoor activity combined with the economic and social benefits will no doubt serve us well into the future.

“That is why I am making this funding available today and I look forward to making further announcements for larger scale investment in this sector in the coming weeks.”