Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Joe Cooney, has welcomed €127,434 of funding to develop and improve outdoor recreation projects in Clare.

These projects were included in a funding announcement by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, of €4.1 million to develop and enhance over 150 outdoor recreation projects across the country.

Investments through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) will be key in improving mountain trails, forest paths, cycle routes, waterways and coastal areas. Additionally, these investments will stimulate local economies by attracting more visitors to rural communities.

Each project in this funding round will receive up to €30,000, with a focus being placed on small scale enhancements, upgrades and repairs.

The projects being funded in Clare are:

•Kilkee Cliff Walk: Improvement works - €27,000

•Cahermurphy Looped Walk: Improvement works to forestry trail - €26,050

•Ballinruan/Gortnamearacaun Loop: Improvements to the bog road - €28,053

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•Malbay Track and Trail Safety Works: Enhancement of Miltown Malbay Track and Trail - €26,820

•O'Briensbridge to Errina Looped Walk: Repair and resurface 0.7 km of looped walk - €19,511

Cllr Joe Cooney, stated: "Five communities in County Clare stand to benefit from the development of facilities being funded under this announcement. I would like to thank Minister Humphreys and the Department for making this funding available and I look forward to the projects progressing."

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 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.

"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 into the future. That is why I am making this funding available today and I look forward to making further announcements for larger scale investment in this sector in the coming weeks."

Bernadette Haugh, Senior Executive Officer, Rural Development, Clare County Council, said: "I am delighted to see such deserving outdoor recreation projects receive funding under the ORIS. These projects will facilitate the improvement of facilities for the future enjoyment of residents and visitors, enhancing recreational opportunities in communities across the county."