€140,000 funding boost for Offaly recreational projects
Eight outdoor recreation projects in Offaly are to benefit to the tune of almost €140,000 in funding which was announced today by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.
Two projects in Offaly were awarded €20,000 each, the Killaun bog boardwalk project, on the Kinnity Road to Birr, for upgrading works to the boardwalk, while €20,000 was also allocated for the installation of four footfall counters at trail heads in Cadamstown, Kilcormac, Monicknew and Kinnity.
The second biggest allocation of €19,962,000 went to Offaly Local Development Company (LDC) for the development and enhancement of the walk at St. Cormac’s Heritage Park, while Offaly LDC also received €14,220,000 for the development and enhancement of the Lusmagh Heritage and Amenity Walk.
In welcoming the funding, Fine Gael Cllr John Clendennen said tourism and recreational activity amenities have seen “exceptional increases in numbers” over the past year, and the importance of having such amenities has never been greater “in terms of our physical and mental wellbeing.”
“This funding will help with development, maintenance, upkeep, enhancement and promotion of our local recreational trails infrastructure” said Cllr Clendennen.
The Offaly funding was also welcomed by local Green Party Minister for State, Pippa Hackett, who said “outdoor recreation is vitally important to us during Covid, and has the potential to improve our tourism economy in the long run. I’m delighted to see Offaly included in this phase of funding, in particular the upgrade to Killaun Bog Boardwalk of €20,000. It will add to our appreciation of the bog and the need to preserve it to reduce our carbon emissions.”
Minister Heather Humphreys announced funding of €3.2 million for 173 projects nationwide under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, who are co-funding the projects.
Further announcements in respect of medium and large scale projects, with funding of up to €200,000 and €500,000 respectively for each project, will be announced at a later stage.
The full list of Offaly projects which received funding today is as follows:
OFFALY
Slieve Bloom Way & ancillaries (Cadamstown & Kinnitty): Small scale upkeep of the Slieve Bloom Way & ancillary loops €18,000.00
Offaly Way & ancillaries (Kilcormac & Lough Boora):Small scale upkeep and repair of the Offaly Way and ancillary loops at Kilcormac and Lough Boora Discovery Park €18,000.00
Grand Canal Greenway: Promotions and marketing €17,343.00
Trail counters: Installation of four footfall counters at trail heads in Cadamstown, Kilcormac, Monicknew, and Kinnitty €20,000.00
Killaun Bog Boardwalk: Upgrade of boardwalk, Kinnity Road to Birr€20,000.00
Ormond Way, Breifne, Beara Way: Trail maintenance Gorraun through Brickanagh, Emmel, Knockaspur, Rathenny, Brownstown, Ballaghveny to Rath.€13,140.00
Offaly LDC: Lusmagh Heritage and Amenity WalkDevelopment and enhancement of walk. Lusmagh National School €14,220.00
Offaly LDC: St Cormacs Heritage Walk, Development and enhancement of walk,St Cormac’ Holy Well Carpark €19,962.00