Thursday 14 November 2024
  • :
  • :

Contact Details T: 086 8903154 Email : johnpaul.oshea@cllr.corkcoco.ie

Major Funding Boost For Outdoor Amenities in Cork will Enhance Recreation Tourism – O’Shea

Major Funding Boost For Outdoor Amenities in Cork will Enhance Recreation Tourism – O’Shea

Outdoor adventure projects right across Ireland will receive funding of almost €6 million encouraging the community in Cork to enjoy the hidden gems on our doorsteps this summer.

North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul  O’Shea welcomed the news from Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys. The funding falls under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), will be key to enhancing our outdoor amenities such as our walkways, cycleways, rivers, lakes, and beaches.

Cllr. O’Shea said: “This funding will develop 200 outdoor adventure projects across rural Ireland will attract visitors to mountain trails, forest walks, rivers, lakes and beaches. 

 “It will also provide a major boost to local economies by attracting visitors and furthering our reputation in Cork as a destination for adventure tourism. Almost €4.3 million will be used to improve some 163 outdoor amenities across the country. Each project will receive up to €30,000 to support their enhancement.

“Outdoor activities in Cork play a key role in communities and we have seen this throughout the recent pandemic. Recreation tourism is growing internationally and has the potential to have major economic spin-off benefits for our rural towns and villages.

“Funding will also be invested in 37 outdoor projects that are now at the early stages of development, these projects will receive up to €50,000. Funding for larger scale projects under Measures 2 and 3 of the scheme will be announced by Minister Humphreys in the coming weeks.

Minister Humphreys added: “Every county will benefit from today’s announcement so if you’re a walker, a swimmer, a cyclist or even a fisherman – check out the list to see what’s happening in your county. Getting active in the fresh air outdoors can be a tonic for the body and soul and this was brought home to us all during the pandemic. Some of these amenities are often hidden gems on our doorsteps so I’m encouraging people to get out and discover them over the rest of the Summer”, Minister Humphreys concluded.

Additional Info:

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding as follows:

Measure 1: Small scale repair/development/promotion and marketing (up to €30,000 grant available)

Measure 2: Medium scale upgrade and new trail/amenity development (up to €200,000 grant available)

Measure 3: Large scale repair/upgrade and new strategic trail/amenity development (up to €500,000 grant available)

Project Development Measure: Development costs for strategic large scale Measure 2 or Measure 3 type projects eg detailed design, preparation for the planning and/or procurement, appropriate assessment etc. (up to €50,000 grant available).

Funding of up to 90% of the total approved project costs is awarded, with the additional 10% to be provided from other sources. Further announcements expected on Measure 2 (medium-scale), Measure 3 (large-scale) before the end of the year.

Details of Measure 1 projects and Project Development Measures announced today are available at www.gov.ie

The Cork projects being funded under Measure 1 include:

 

     

€     171,132

Cork

Analeentha Greenway, Mallow

Upgrade Analeethna Walk and Cycle Greenway

Cork County Council

€       30,000

Bandon – Castlebernard Loop Walk (PDM)

Bandon – Castlebernard Loop Walk Examine route options / preliminary design

 Cork County Council

€       49,500

Bandon Walkway

Bandon Walkway Former West Cork Railway (west of Bandon-pathway clearance)

Cork County Council

€       30,000

Blackwater Way Ballard, Kilworth,

Reroute of the Blackwater Way through Ballard, Kilworth/ trail upgrade

Avondhu Blackwater

€       27,000

Blackwater Way Knockananig, Fermoy

link the Knockananig Reservoir walk with the Blackwater Way (Avondhu)

Avondhu Blackwater

€       27,000

Fastnet Trails

Linking the Fastnet Trails to the Sheep’s Head Way

West Cork Development Partnership

€         5,560

Fountainstown, Carrigaline

Improve access for water sports, & landscaping at  Fountainstown, Carrigaline

Cork County Council

€       30,000

Garryvoe, Ballycotton

Garryvoe Beach: Measures increasing biodiversity, provision of seating

 Cork County Council

€       30,000

Kiskeam Walking Trail -Phase 2

Upgrades to Duhallow Way

IRD Duhallow

€       30,000

Knockananig, Fermoy

Upgrade section of the Blackwater Avondhu Way walking trail at Knockananig, Fermoy

Cork County Council

€       30,000

Mares Tail Waterfall Trail, Adrigole Beara

To develop a 15 km linear walking trail to the Mare’s Tail waterfall in Adrigole, Beara

West Cork Development Partnership

€       28,080

Slatty Pond

Carrigtwohill town centre to Slatty Pond- Direct pedestrian link

 Cork County Council

€       30,000

Tragumna, Castlehaven

Works to enhance accessibility at Tragumna Beach, Castlehaven

Cork County Council

€       30,000

Upgrade Duhallow Way

Upgrade The Duhallow Way, The Paps Loopwalk (Shrone) & Clara Loop Walk (Millstreet)

IRD Duhallow

€       30,000

Walks Upgrade

Upgrades to Bolomore Way & James O Keeffe Walkway Linking the Fastnet Trails to the Sheep’s Head

IRD Duhallow

€       30,000

Cork Total

     

€     437,140