€210,000 funding awarded for outdoor projects
A NUMBER of outdoor projects in Sligo will receive a €210,000 cash boost following an announcement from the Minister for Rural & Community Development, Heather Humphreys.
As part of a nationwide package of €4.1million that will benefit 150 outdoor recreation projects across Ireland, seven programmes in the county will see much-needed funds coming in as part of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).
The Sligo Walks Promotion, the Queen Maeve Trail Knocknarea Boardwalk Repairs, the Carns Hill Extension, the Raghly Loop Trail Upgrade, the Maugheraboy Viewing Point and the County Sligo Leader Partnership will all receive €30,000 each.
Sligo-Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan, welcomed the news. He said: “This ORIS funding will provide a further boost to the local economy in Sligo by attracting more visitors to our rural communities with enhanced outdoor facilities.
“I again want to thank Minister Humphreys who has always provided very generous funding to Co. Sligo and the north-west.
“Heather knows the work that local communities and volunteers in partnership with Sligo Leader Partnership Company and Sligo Co Council do locally and this spirit of partnership deserves to be richly rewarded,” concluded Deputy Feighan.
Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said: “With summer just a couple of months away, I’m really pleased to announce over €4.1 million to develop over 150 outdoor recreation projects right across Rural Ireland.
“The investment I’m announcing will greatly enhance the natural amenities right on our doorstep – from our walkways, mountain trails and forest walks, to our cycleways, beaches and rivers.
“I believe the projects receiving funding today will play an important role in attracting more visitors to our rural towns and villages.
“My big message as Minister is to get out and explore those hidden gems in your community. The clocks have gone forward last weekend – a perfect reason to go on that hike or cycle and enjoy the great outdoors.”
Minister Humphreys added:“The
Government’s Rural Development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’ and the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, have together set the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come.
“The health benefits from engaging in outdoor activity combined with the economic and social benefits that can be achieved by this investment for rural Ireland, will no doubt serve us well in to the future.
“That is why I am making this funding available and I look forward to making further announcement for larger scale investment in this sector in the coming weeks.”