€400K FOR CO. CORK OUTDOOR RECREATION PROJECTS
THE PROJECT GRANTS WERE ANNOUNCED BY MINISTER HEATHER HUMPHREYS ON THURSDAY
SEVERAL outdoor recreation projects in County Cork are to avail of grants of up to €30,000 under the latest Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) funding announced on Thursday, March 28.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, announced that under ORIS, €4.1 million will go towards developing and enhancing 151 outdoor recreation projects countrywide, with €410, 584 to be shared amongst 15 projects across County Cork.
Bandon Walkway, run by Cork County Council, is to receive a grant of €30,000 under the scheme for the installation of fencing along the Old West Cork Railway, while the council-run Knockananig Reservoir Development will also receive €30,000 for the resurfacing of its car park.
The council’s Island Wood in Newmarket is also set to receive €30,000 for resurfacing sections of its walkway while the top sum has also been allocated to the County Council for enhancement works to the walk linking Rostellen to Aghada.
€30,000 has also been allocated to the local authority for the replacement of broken fencing at Schull Walkway while the council will receive €24, 318 for the installation of signage and resurfacing on a 2.1km section of Ballymartle Walk.
IRD Duhallow has been allocated €30,000 for upgrade works at the Clonkeen side of Slyguddal Pass and it will receive the same sum for the incorporation of one of the Mass Paths in Boherbue into a looped walk. The community focused organisation will also be granted €30,000 for the creation of a walkway along the Glen River in Banteer.
Under ORIS, SECAD Partnership CLG has also received funding allocations. It has been designated €28, 350 for improvement works to walking trails on Knockadoon peninsula and €27, 276 for the promotion of recreation trails in east Cork and Cork Harbour.
West Cork Development Partnership has been allocated €26, 880 for the development of a new 2.2km section of Slí Gaeltacht Mhuscraí and another €25,999 for works on the Slí an tSulain Trail.
The Development Partnership has also been allocated €21,522 for the upgrade of Courtmacsherry Fuchsia.
Finally, Avondhu Blackwater Partnership CLG has been allocated €16, 238 for the creation of a network of trails in Glansheskin.
These projects, under Measure 1 of ORIS, will be delivered by September 2025. Further announcements of projects that have been successful in winning an allocation under Measures 2 and 3 of ORIS 2023 will be made in the coming weeks. The funding is in addition to the €2.3m which was announced in November 2023 for 50 projects under the Project Development Measure of ORIS.
Minister Humphreys said that she was really pleased to announce the funding with summer just a couple of months away. “The investment I’m announcing today 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,” Minister Humphreys said.
“So my big message as minister today is to get out and explore those hidden gems in your community. The clocks are going forward this weekend – a perfect reason to go on that hike or cycle and enjoy the great outdoors.”
Locally, Deputy Michael Creed welcomed the funding for Cork North West. I am delighted that projects in my constituency are to benefit from the funding. These outdoor facilities are going to make a big difference to local people, and they will attract more visitors to the area in years to come,” he said.