The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Minister welcomes €115,000 for Kerry outdoor projects
KERRY outdoor recreation projects are to receive almost €115,000 in funding as part of an €11,000,000 package announced this week by Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring TD.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme aims to develop new outdoor recreational facilities and strengthen existing facilities, and a total of 13 Kerry projects will receive support under the initiative according to this week’s announcement.
Listowel Town Park, Kerry Activity Brochure, the MacGillicuddy Reeks access road and the Daniel O’Connell Heritage Trail will each receive €10,000, while the Kerry Dark Sky Reserve Solar Trail in south Kerry and the Old Road Walk in both Derrynafinnia and Rathmore will receive similar funding.
The Killeen Woods Nature Walk, the Kerry Head Walking Trail, Doorus Nature Trail, Castleisland River Walk and the Ballyheighue Beach Wheelchairs initiative will each receive between €8,000 and €9,000, and just under €5,000 will go to the North Kerry Way.
A total of 12 ‘large scale strategic projects’ nationwide have been chosen for funding of between €340,000 and €1 million, but this announcement did not include any Kerry projects.
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin TD has welcomed the Kerry allocation of €114,277, commenting that it will boost tourism locally and in the surrounding region.
“Aside from the obvious tourism benefits, it’s also hugely important that we maintain and develop our outdoor infrastructure to encourage everyone to keep fit and live a healthy, active lifestyle,” Minister Griffin said.
“Each project is 80 per cent funded by the Government grant, with Kerry County Council making up the difference.”
The Minister of State said that he has received confirmation that Minister Ring will make further announcements in relation to the scheme later this year.