Wednesday 18 June 2025
  • :
  • :

Email : johnpaul.oshea@oireachtas.ie

Government Announces Further Investment in Ireland’s Walking Trails

Government Announces Further Investment in Ireland’s Walking Trails

It was announced today that 22 new trails, across 10 different counties have been added to the Walks Scheme. 164 trails, involving 2,850 landholders, now supported under the initiative. Funding of €465,000 was also announced to enhance and upgrade 49 walking trails across the country.

The 22 new trails announced today are spread over 10 counties and include trails such as Siúlóid an tSáis in Kerry, involving 40 landowners, and the Keenagh Loop in Mayo, with over 20 landowners. There are also two trails located on Clare Island. The details of the 22 new trails can be found in the notes section below.

For Cork North West, Deputy John Paul O’Shea has welcomed funding for the enhancement and upgrade of existing walking trails:

  • (Maintained by Ballyhoura Development) – Re-routing to take the trail off road – Works to include trail profiling, fencing, waymarking and signage – €10,000

  • Duhallow Blackwater Way Trail Upgrade (Maintained by IRD Duhallow) – To rectify safety issues identified during the latest Sport Ireland inspection – €10,000

Projects supported include small scale trail surface improvements, signage and waymarking, new picnic and recreation areas, and rerouting of trails away from busy roads. These projects will be led by local development companies in collaboration with landowners, community trail management organisations and other stakeholders.

Deputy O Shea said “we have the most picturesque countryside to enjoy while walking this walking trails all across our country and especially in Cork North West. I want to thank the landowners in particular, for providing these opportunities for the public. There is no doubting the health and wellbeing benefits provided by these trails, and the economic impact they can also provide by driving visitor numbers to rural Ireland.”

Minister of State at the Department of Rural & Community Development Jerry Buttimer TD said “This Department is committed to supporting the local development companies who in turn are working in collaboration with community groups in the development and enhancement of these trails. I wish to thank all the local community groups involved for their work. The positive impact that these trails have on local communities cannot be overstated. I would encourage everyone to seek out their local trail and to discover the beauty of the countryside around them.”

 

List of 22 trails approved in principle to join the Walks Scheme

County

Name of Trail

Name of responsible Local Development Company

Cavan

Bruse Hill Walkway

Cavan County Local Development

Cork

Yew Tree Hill Loop Walk

West Cork Development Company

Kerry

Siúlóid an tSáis

North East West Kerry

Leitrim

Fowley’s Fall

Leitrim Development Company

Leitrim

O’Rourke’s Table

Leitrim Development Company

Limerick

An Gleann Beag Loop

Ballyhoura Development

Limerick

Lough Ghe Way

Ballyhoura Development

Limerick

The Knights Walk

Ballyhoura Development

Mayo

Fawnglass Loop – Clare Island Loops

Comhar na nOileán CTR

Mayo

Knocknaveena Loop – Clare Island Loops

Comhar na nOileán CTR

Mayo

Keenagh Loop

South West Mayo Development Company CLG

Mayo

Newport Coastal Trail

South West Mayo Development Company CLG

Roscommon

Carrowbehy/Cahir Raised Bog Walk

Roscommon Leader Partnership

Roscommon

Kiltullagh Church Walk

Roscommon Leader Partnership

Roscommon

Knockvicar Looped Bog Walk

Roscommon Leader Partnership

Roscommon

Tarmon Bog Walk

Roscommon Leader Partnership

Tipperary

Vee Valley

South Tipperary Development Company

Waterford

Ramp Boreen Trail

Waterford Leader Company

Wexford

Jean Kennedy Smith Trail

Wexford Local Development

Wexford

Rosslare Cliff Walk Trail

Wexford Local Development

Wexford

Urrin Riverside Trail Enniscorthy

Wexford Local Development

Wexford

Ringwood Trail

Wexford Local Development

 

 

List of 49 approved projects under Walks Scheme Development Fund

 

Local Development Company

Name of Project

Description

Cost

Ballyhoura Development Company

Ballyhoura Way – Trail upgrades

Re-routing to take the trail off road. Works to include trail profiling, fencing, waymarking and signage.

€10,000.00

Ballyhoura Development Company

Molanna Loop – Trail repairs and upgrades

Repairs to stiles, gates, steps, recreational areas, drainage, trail surfacing and fencing.

€10,000.00

Ballyhoura Development Company

Moore Abbey Loop – Trail extension to historic lime kiln

Groundworks, trail-surfacing and installation of stream bridge to give walkers access to native woodland and a historic lime kiln.

€10,000.00

Cavan County Local Development

Cavan Way – Re-route

Resurfacing of pathway leading out from the Shannon Pot to prevent pedestrians from walking on the road and create a safer and more comfortable route.

€10,000.00

Clare Local Development Company

Blackhead Loop – Trail works

Replacement of a number of gates on the Blackhead loop and installation of new signage.

€5,856.00

Clare Local Development Company

Burren Way – Upgrade of signage and mapboards

Replace two old mapboards and upgrade signage on Burren Way.

€9,256.00

Clare Local Development Company

East Clare Way – Trail surface works

Upgrade and repair trail surface in the Craiglea area.

€9,890.00

Clare Local Development Company

Wood Loop Ballyvaughan – Trail upgrade works

Replace damaged directional signage and gravel works on farm road section.

€8,025.00

Co. Wicklow Partnership

Wicklow Way – Trails repairs

Trail resurfacing due to damage from weather and farm machinery.

€10,000.00

Comhar na nOileán

Beara Way Dursey Island – Picnic Area

Provide a picnic and seating area on Dursey Island trail.

€10,000.00

Comhar na nOileán

Whiddy Island – Interpretation of islands history

New signage boards and audio listening post to provide a detailed and interesting account of the Islands history.

€10,000.00

Donegal LDC

Bluestack Way – Storm damage clearance

Remove blocking and dangerous trees along route following Storm Éowyn to reopen the Bluestack Way in its entirety again.

€10,000.00

Forum Connemara

Hymany Way – Trail surface repair and fencing

Surface repair and new fencing to a 300m section of the Hymany Way trail, near the village of Caltralea.

€10,000.00

Forum Connemara

Luibin Mhairois – Upgrade trail infrastructure

Upgrade of trail infrastructure signage, post, fencing, waymarkers, stiles and information board

€10,000.00

Forum Connemara

Western Way – Trail Repair at Finnisglin

Repair several sections of the trail which have become degraded over time due to recent landslides.

€10,000.00

IRD Duhallow

Duhallow Blackwater Way – Trail upgrade

To rectify safety issues identified during the latest Sport Ireland inspection.

€10,000.00

Kilkenny Leader Partnership

Brandon Hill – Boundary Repairs

Replacement of gate, hangers, stile and fencing.

€10,000.00

Kilkenny Leader Partnership

Freshford Loop Trail – Accessibility upgrades

Replacement of timber fencing barrier, gates and stile along river section to improve accessibility. 

€10,000.00

Kilkenny Leader Partnership

Gathabawn – Fencing replacement

Replacement of 620m of barbed wire boundary fencing with 620m of stock proof electric fencing.

€10,000.00

Kilkenny Leader Partnership

Kilmacoliver Loop – Surface upgrade works

Resurfacing of a busy 260m section of trail, new stiles and replace damaged railings.

€10,000.00

Kilkenny Leader Partnership

Nore Valley – reroute around a riverbank

Reroute the trail around an unsafe riverbank. Barrier fencing installed for user safety 

€10,000.00

Laois Partnership Company

Binnianea Way – Trail upgrades 

Trail upgrades including installation of trail furniture, interpretive signage and small-scale trail surface upgrades to increase accessibility of trail.

€10,000.00

Laois Partnership Company

Slieve Bloom Way – Trail upgrades

Trail upgrades including installation of trail furniture, trailhead signage and general small scale trail repair.

€10,000.00

Laois Partnership Company

Offaly Way – Trail upgrades

Trail upgrades including installation of trail furniture, trailhead mapboard units, signage and general small scale trail repair.

€10,000.00

Leitrim Development Company

Miner’s Way & Historical – Trail repairs

Upgrade of signage, drainage materials and trail furniture.

€10,000.00

Leitrim Development Company

Leitrim Way – Trail improvements and minor re-route

Trail upgrades, new signage, drainage materials and trail furniture and complete a reroute around a waterlogged area.

€10,000.00

North East & West Kerry Development Company

Dingle Way – Trail upgrade

Resurface 320m of the trail, addressing drainage issues, and upgrading its overall condition

€10,000.00

North East & West Kerry Development Company

Glanageenty Walks – Trail Upgrade

Resurfacing approximately 1.5 km of the trail in two locations: one along the river and the other on the boreen leading to the walkers’ picnic cabin.

€9,993.65

Roscommon Leader Partnership

Miners Way & Historical – Trail Enhancement works

Improve drainage works and stonework on the trail.

€10,000.00

Roscommon Leader Partnership

Lung Lough Gara Way – Enhancement works

Improve trail surface on a boggy section.

€10,000.00

Roscommon Leader Partnership capacity

Suck Valley Way – Enhancement works

Resurface section of the trail

€10,000.00

Sligo Leader Partnership Ltd

Aughris Head – Path rehabilitation works

Re-stoning sections of path that have eroded, opening drains and refencing damaged sections. 

€10,000.00

Sligo Leader Partnership Ltd

Sruth in Aghaidh an Aird -Fencing project

Fencing of an estimated 300M of damaged fencing next to the trail.

€10,000.00

Sligo Leader Partnership Ltd

Lung Lough Gara Way – Drainage and path repair works 

Drainage and path repair works.

€10,000.00

Sligo Leader Partnership Ltd

Miner’s Way & Historical Trail – Resurfacing on Old coach road

Trail resurfacing where it has become eroded.

€10,000.00

Sligo Leader Partnership Ltd

Sligo Way – Rhododendron control and path widening 

Control of the overgrowth of rhododendrons along the Slieve Deane section of the Sligo way.

€10,000.00

South Kerry Development Partnership

Pound/Knockeenawaddra – Trail head development

Enhancement of existing Trail Head car park including resurfacing and landscaping and installation of picnic bench and planters.

€10,000.00

South Tipperary Development Company Ltd

Cosan Felim Inch Loop – Re-route off the public road

Re-routing of 250m length off a busy public road.

€10,000.00

South Tipperary Development Company Ltd

Knockalough Loop – Clearing of fallen trees and trail repairs

Removal of fallen and falling timber, and repairs to trail surfacing caused by uprooted trees. Repair and reinstate waymarking and signage.

€10,000.00

South Tipperary Development Company Ltd

Lough Derg Way – Clearing of fallen trees and trail repairs

Removal of fallen and falling timber, and repairs to trail surfacing caused by uprooted trees through Seymours woods in Ballydrinan, Ballycommon, Nenagh. Repair and reinstate waymarking, signage, and stile.

€10,000.00

South Tipperary Development Company Ltd

Ormond Way – New viewing platform at Garnakilka, Upperchurch,

Provision of a new viewing platform at the highpoint of the area known as Garnakilka near Upperchurch, Co. Tipperary.

€6,000.00

South Tipperary Development Company Ltd

Tipperary Heritage Way – Trail repairs on the Baylough track

Trail repairs and drainage upgrades at Baylough (Corrie Lake) 

€8,000.00

South West Mayo Development Company

Burrishoole Loops 1 – Rocky Mountain Way Viewing Point and Picnic Area

Trail resurfacing of existing path to the viewing point and installation of 2 wheelchair accessible benches on concrete bases, directional and information signage.

€10,000.00

South West Mayo Development Company

Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail – Safety Enhancements at Ayle Caves

Re-route of 50m of path, raising up of a 120m section of the path from a wet area where it currently resides and installation of livestock fencing on both sections.

€10,000.00

Waterford Leader Partnership CLG

Ardmore Cliff Walk – Extended Fencing and Resurfacing

Resurfacing, installation of a cross drain and a 100m extension of existing fencing to ensure walker safety and protection of the Special Area of Conservation

€7,900.00

Waterford Leader Partnership CLG

Byrne’s Bridge Loop – Drainage Works

The removal of old damaged bog bridges and installation of piped cross drains to improve drainage and provide emergency access to the mountain.

€7,661.25

Waterford Leader Partnership CLG

Mt. Melleray Pilgrim Paths – signage upgrade

Update signage at each of the historical monuments on the trails.

€2,982.75

Waterford Leader Partnership CLG

St. Declan’s Way – Resurfacing, Drainage and Replacement of Foot Bridge

Resurfacing in two sections, drainage works and a replacement bridge crossing Keereen stream.

€9,555.57

West Cork Development Partnership

Sheep’s Head Way -Deelish Cascades Trail Improvements

Fallen tree removal from the river, repair of eroded riverbank to preserve the walk, repair of failed rock armour and trail surface.

€10,000.00

 

 

 

€465,120.22