Nine outdoor projects in Donegal have been allocated a shared €267,791 fund today under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
The scheme aims to attract people to get outdoors and enjoy our mountain trails, forest walks, cycleways, rivers, lakes and beaches. It will also provide a boost to local economies by attracting more visitors to our rural communities.
Up to €30,000 will be invested in each project under today’s round of funding, with the full list of successful Donegal projects below:
- Knader Forest Enhancement (Upgrade works at Knader Forest) €30,000.
- Gartan Community Hall (Development of pathways connecting shores of Gartan Lake to Church Hill village) €30,000.
- Monellan Forest Walk (Enhancement works to Monellan Forest) €30,000.
- Promotion and marketing of trails countywide (To create a series of videos highlighting the extensive and attractive walks and trails available in Donegal) €30,000.
- Old Carn Road – The Golden Mile (Upgrade works at Old Carn Road to include drainage, ledging, stone surfacing and signage) €30,000.
- Umricam (Creation of 2.7km trail at Umricam) €29,968.
- Butlers Glen Upgrade (Upgrade Butlers Glen, upgrade works shall include drainage, ledging, stone surfacing and signage) €30,000.
- Slí Croí Inis Eoghain (Creation of a new trail at Slí Croí Inis Eoghain) €29,968.
- Maylin Wood (Upgrade and enhancement works at Maylin Wood) €27,855.
Announcing the funding, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD said: “With summer just a couple of months away, I’m really pleased to announce over €4.1 million to develop over 150 outdoor recreation projects right across Rural Ireland. The investment I’m announcing today 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 receiving funding today will play an important role in attracting more visitors to our rural towns and villages. So my big message as Minister today 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.”
Donegal Minister, Charlie McConalogue, said: “This is great news for the county as it prepares for the tourist season. Donegal has so much to offer when it comes to the outdoors and these allocations will help to improve the unique offerings we have here in the county. The investments will serve to attract more visitors to Donegal.
“Today’s announcement today will also benefit local communities with new or enhanced outdoor facilities, while also helping to support local economies by continuing to offer domestic and international visitors an attractive and exciting array of outdoor amenities,” Minister McConalogue added.
Featured photo: Glebe House and Gallery, Gartan Lake. Nomos Productions, Courtesy Failte Ireland
