€100,000 in outdoor recreation funding announced for Clare

UP TO €100,000 in funding has been allocated by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, to support the development of a number of outdoor recreation projects in Co Clare.

The investment is part of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), which will see funding of almost €2.3 million to support the development of 50 outdoor adventure projects across Ireland.

The funding will support preparatory work required to bring large scale outdoor recreation projects to a shovel-ready stage, and will pave the way for development two outdoor recreation projects in Clare.

€50,000 has been allocated each to the Slieve Bearnagh Mountain Bike Trail and the River Fergus Activities Hub.

It will be used for a feasibility study for the development of a cycling hub in Slieve Bearnagh, and to carry out necessary surveys, assessment and design works for the development of infrastructure that would accommodate water-based activities on the River Fergus.

Speaking at the launch, Ms Humphreys said that "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," she continued.

"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."