Thirteen recreational projects across Donegal are set to benefit from €250,000 in funding under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
The funding, under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), will upgrade popular areas to support Donegal as a destination for adventure tourism.
Funding will enhance mountain trails, forest walks, beaches, rivers, lakes, blueways and greenways.
The successful projects are:
- Fanad Arch, Fanad- to develop a small carpark area at the iconic Fanad Arch – €20,000
- Standing Man, Glenalla – to create a new 5km walk to the Standing Man in Ray Community – €20,000
- Creevy-Ballyshannon- repair and upgrade of existing 8km shoreline trail. Inclusion of way marker posts and head boards with provision of seating for rest points – €20,000
- Drumgowan, Liscooly – repair and upgrade existing forest access to create a 700m walking trail. — €20,000
- Pedestrian Counter Units (The Steeple, Kilross; Gortlettra, Stranorlar; Drumharrif Forrest and Lough Derg Pilgrim Path, Pettigo) – €20,000
- Inishoneill Trail, Carndonagh, Drumfries – to develop a 3.2Km section of walking and cycling trail – €19,800
- Cruckahenny Trail, Drumfries – to develop a 3.5Km section of walking and cycling trail with the upgrade of existing bog trails – €19,800
- Quigleys Point and Craignahorna Trails- develop a 1km section of walking and cycling trail – €19,800
- Bealach na Gaeltachta, Maghery – to improve the surface on a steep gradient section on the trail – €20,000
- Rann na Feirste – to complete a 2km looped walking trail around Lough Fadda – €20,000
- Pedestrian Counters for Donegal Trails- Bun na Mucaise Loops & Burtonport Loops – €19,372.50
- Signage Upgrade for existing trails, Bun na Mucaise, Burtonport – €18,000
- Arranmore Blueway Signage, Árainn Mhór- installation of Blueway Signage for water and land based trails on Oileán Árainn Mhór and Burtonport – €16,941.33
Commenting on the announcement today, Minister McConalogue said: “One lesson from the pandemic is the importance of protecting and enhancing our outdoors spaces. In Donegal we have beautiful outdoor areas that are explored by locals and tourists alike. This funding announcement today across 13 projects throughout our county will contribute to these outdoor spaces.”
“I thank Minister Humphreys for allocating the funding today, the local groups for all their continued work, Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin and Failte Ireland.”
Joe McHugh, TD for Donegal, “I am delighted to see various projects throughout Donegal will benefit through Measure 1 of the Outdoor Scheme, with each receiving investment of up to €20,000.”
“This funding support today will help to develop and improve our outdoor amenities and will work to upgrading our walkway and cycling trails and forest walks so that we can continue to make these areas more accessible and more appealing in our communities,” said McHugh.
Projects in Donegal have been chosen for investment of up to €20,000 under Measure 1 of the scheme, which is being delivered in partnership with Fáilte Ireland.
Funding for larger projects under Measure 2 and 3 of the scheme will be announced by Minister Humphreys in the coming weeks.
