The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced a €16.1 million investment in outdoor recreation projects across Ireland.

This funding will support a variety of projects, including Greenways, Blueways, Forest Parks and Cycling Routes. New walking trails will be established, and projects will also support outdoor sports such as kayaking, paddle-boarding, swimming, and other water-based activities.

In announcing the huge investment in outdoor projects, Minister Humphreys said: "Our beautiful outdoors have never been more available to us than today. With the summer months upon us, now is the time to enjoy the wonderful amentities right on our doorstep."

Among the projects being funded today include:

•Belmullet Tidal Pool, Co. Mayo: €295,974

•Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway Enhancement, County Meath: €200,000

•Ardmore Beach Walkway, Co Waterford: €500,000

•Durrus Coastal Walkway, Co Cork: €200,000

•Lough Boora Discovery Park, Co Offaly: €500,000

•Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk, Co. Clare: €500,000

Other projects include:

•Kilrush Wood River Walk & Cycleway, Co. Clare: €165,420

•MacManus Estate, Rossylongon, Co. Donegal: €200,000

•Ballyseedy Wood Amenity Trail, Co. Kerry: €200,000

•Castlecomer Discovery Park Bike Trail – Co. Kilkenny: €500,000

•The Ryder Cup Way – Co Limerick: €399,983

Donamon Outdoor Recreation Area Development – Co. Roscommon: €500,000

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This investment announced today further underpins the Government’s commitment to developing our outdoor amenities as part of 'Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors', the national outdoor recreation strategy.

Minister Humphreys stated: "This investment from my Department brings the overall allocation under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) to over €129 million since the Scheme was first launched in 2016. It is testament to the positive impact ‘Our Rural Future’ continues to have on communities all over Ireland and Government’s commitment to that policy.

"The times of lock downs are thankfully behind us but those times gave us all an appreciation of what our stunning outdoors had to offer us for our mental and physical wellbeing. It gives me great satisfaction to see the work my Department does to ensure that our rural communities can benefit even more from what nature has to offer.

"Our world class outdoor amenities continue to make rural Ireland the place to be for adventure tourists as well as those who appreciate a more sedate pace of life. These projects are spread throughout the country, so everyone can avail of the outdoors. Some of the planned investment, which is taking place all over the country, will enhance existing visitor attractions while providing new opportunities to experience our wonderful coastal landscape."

The funding will benefit local communities by providing new or enhanced outdoor facilities, while also supporting local economies by attracting domestic and international visitors with an exciting array of outdoor amenities.

This investment will go toward 69 larger-scale outdoor recreation projects, bringing the total number of projects funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development since its establishment in 2017 to over 1,650 nationwide.

Projects under measures 2 and 3 will receive funding of up to €200,000 and €500,000 respectively and are set to be completed by July 2026. This announcement builds on the €2.3 million announced in November 2023 for 50 projects under the Project Development Measure of ORIS and the €4.1 million approved under measure 1 earlier this year.

Minister Humphreys concluded by reiterating her commitment to supporting outdoor recreation: "The 69 projects that I am announcing today will be there for all of us, from all walks of life and all abilities. These excellent projects will add to Ireland’s now large pool of world class amenities and will help to achieve the goals of the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy – Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors. I would encourage everyone to take this opportunity to get out there and embrace our great outdoors and make the lived experience of our country better for us all."