Significant funding for Barnane and Glenabo trails

Funding to the tune of €200,000 has been allocated for the upgrade and repair of the Barnane Trail Walk and Glenabo Trail in Fermoy. The funding was announced this week as part of a €15.5 million package for 84 outdoor adventure projects.

Local councillor Frank O’Flynn welcomed the news, stating it would be a ‘ marvellous’ improvement to facilities in the area.

According to the Glanworth councillor, works to Barnane will begin by the rowing club and continue down along the riverside walk.

“There are some stones loose in places on the wall to the left so they will repair and replenish that and the pathway will be repaired and enhanced. It might need some gullies too where water is coming through in places,” Cllr O’Flynn said.

In Glenabo, works are to be carried out from the car park to Knockananig Reservoir, according to the councillor.

“I welcome this funding. It will be a tremendous benefit to Fermoy and the surrounding areas. It will be an added attraction for people who want to walk in the countryside and for those visiting Fermoy”.

It is understood that works are to be completed in 2022.

ARDFINNAN WORKS

The major national investment, under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), will see the development of 66 natural amenities and support outdoor pursuits such as hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, swimming and cycling.

For the first time under the scheme, funding is also being provided to progress 18 outdoor recreational projects that are at an early stage of development.

In county Tipperary, Ardfinnan walkway and bridge was awarded €138,600 in funding for an access upgrade between the Suir Blueway and Ardfinnan village, including appropriate planting and seating on the banks of the River Suir.

€76,885.44 was also allocated to Waterford trails and outdoor amenities to install visitor footfall counters at trails and other outdoor recreation amenities countywide.

Both the Waterford and Fermoy projects come under Measure 2 projects.

Announcing the project on Monday, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, said that the projects will benefit people of all ages and abilities for generations to come.

“This unprecedented investment will also help further our ambition to support our rural economies and make Rural Ireland a destination of choice for adventure tourism. Outdoor pursuits have become an even bigger part of all of our lives over the past two years. Through this Fund, we are developing and enhancing the fantastic natural amenities in our rural communities so more and more people can access and enjoy them,” Minister Humphries said.

Further projects were approved across Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Tipperary across Measure 2 and Measure 3 funding streams.

The investment was noted as a key part of ‘Our Rural Future’ which will support rural economies and make rural Ireland a more attractive destination for adventure tourism. The announcement brings the total investment announced this year under the scheme to almost €35 million.