The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kerry trails to benefit from €360k in funding
PROJECT ON KENMARE ROAD, RING OF KERRY, RECEIVES €160K IN SCHEME
MORE than €360,000 has been allocated to three projects in Kerry under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
The most notable beneficiary is the Old Kenmare Road Trails Enhancement Project, which received €160,000 for the enhancement of walkways and cycle routes on the popular Old Kenmare Road trail.
The North Kerry Way walkway upgrade on The Point, Cockleshell Road, The Kerries, receives just shy of €100,000, while a walking-trail restoration on the Upper Strickeen has been granted almost €104,000.
Among those to welcome the news was Patricia Deane of the MacGillycuddy Reeks Mountain Access Forum. She explained the funds will be used to improve the existing track which is located just off the Gap of Dunloe road, beyond Kate Kearney’s Cottage.
“It’s a well-walked route in a beautiful area, but it has sustained water damage over the years,” she said. “We’ll be introducing cross-drains, stone steps and water-bars to improve this.
“It’s in a Special Area of Conservation, so this will keep people on the path and protect the area.”
It is among 78 projects to secure a slice of around €11million in funding nationwide.
Killarney-based Senator Paul Coghlan has welcomed the news, saying it should make the county even more appealing to visitors from overseas.
“This is generating income for rural areas and helping to create more jobs in the hospitality and leisure sectors here in Kerry,” he said. “Figures available from Fáilte Ireland reveal that in 2017, 26 per cent of all overseas tourists engaged in some level of hiking or cross-country walking.
“This equates to 2.3million tourists, spending an estimated €1.3bn during their stay in Ireland. A further 451,000 overseas tourists took part in cycling activities.
“Our local communities here in Kerry are also using these facilities in large numbers... The continued development of our recreational infrastructure will not only support our developing rural tourism industry, but will also provide better recreation options for local people and families for their own enjoyment of the countryside.”