Almost €195,000 has been confirmed for outdoor recreation projects Clare.
This funding, provided under Measure 2 of the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure.
It also supports the maintenance, enhancement and promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in Ireland.
Clare Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway said: “I very much welcome the funding for outdoor recreation projects here in Clare. In particular, I was delighted that my local area of Ennistymon was awarded €69,462 to complete the Ennistymon Riverwalk. I had worked on this project with EDCO and the local community and they deserve significant praise in ensuring that this project got over the line.
| Name of Project | Description of Project | Location of Project | Amount Sought/Approved |
| Ennistymon River Walk | Upgrade and extend walkway | Ennistymon | €69,462 |
| Cragg Looped Trail – Tulla | Construct walking trail | Tulla | €75,904 |
| Clarecastle People’s Park | Upgrade walkway & broadwalk | Clarecastle | €49,500 |
Senator Conway continued: “Recreational tourism is a growing part of Ireland’s tourism offering, and we have seen an increase in the number of Irish and overseas visitors enjoying the many greenways, blueways and walking trails which have been developed around the country in recent years.
This is generating income for rural areas and helping to create more jobs in the hospitality and leisure sectors here in Clare. Figures available from Fáilte Ireland reveal that in 2017, 26% of all overseas tourists engaged in some level of hiking or cross-country walking.”
“This equates to 2.3 million tourists, spending an estimated €1.3bn during their stay in Ireland. A further 451,000 overseas tourists took part in cycling activities. Our local communities here in Clare are also using these facilities in large numbers.
“The continued development of our recreational infrastructure will not only support our developing rural tourism industry, but will also provide better recreation options for local people and families for their own enjoyment of the countryside, Senator Conway added.
Minister for Rural & Community Development Michael Ring said: “I am delighted, in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, to announce funding of almost €11 million today to 78 very important projects under this phase of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
“The funding being announced today builds on the €10 million which I allocated during 2018 to 150 projects under Measures 1 and 3 of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and brings the total investment from the 2018 call for proposals to almost €21 million.
“Over €40 million has now been allocated to almost 600 projects under this scheme since 2016 to improve existing, and develop new, walking trails, greenways and other recreational amenities for communities and visitors all over Ireland