Outdoor amenity funding welcomed

FUNDING OF €558,650 has been allocated for outdoor facilities in County Wexford.

The funding has been awarded under Measure 2 of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which provides funding for the development, promotion and maintenance of outdoor amenities such as trails, walkways, cycleways, and blueways. The latest allocation was announced last week and in welcoming the news Deputy Paul Kehoe TD, said ‘outdoor amenities in County Wexford make an immeasurable contribution to our physical and mental wellbeing’ and added they have never been more important than during the current pandemic.

The projects that received funding include: Forth Mountain Equestrian Trail and Ballybrittas Portal Tomb walk (€166,500); Duncannon to Ballyhack Trail - Phase 2 (€192,150) and Our Lady’s Island to Carne trail and Kelly’s wood interlink trail (€200,000).

Deputy Kehoe said outdoor recreational facilities are expected to play an important role in supporting Ireland’s social and economic recovery as restrictions on movements are relaxed and the tourism sector re-opens.

He said the funding for Ballybrittas portal tomb, which is located near Bree, will extend the existing walking trails to the tomb.

However, it will also include measures to ensure the national monument stays protected.

The portal tomb is only one of two located in County Wexford and is the only one that’s intact.

‘These facilities will make such a difference to communities and will also have a hugely positive impact on tourism,’ said Deputy Kehoe.

‘Successful delivery of these projects will encourage activities-based outdoor recreation and tourism in communities,’ he added.