The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has opened the 2026–2027 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), making €20 million available to develop and maintain outdoor amenities across rural Ireland.

Launching the latest funding round in County Monaghan at the official opening of recreational upgrades on Black Island, Lough Muckno — a project that received more than €500,000 through ORIS in 2022 — the Minister confirmed the scheme is now accepting applications.

ORIS supports the creation, improvement and upkeep of outdoor recreation infrastructure in rural areas, with funding set to back hundreds of projects nationwide. The scheme covers amenities at mountains, lakes and rivers, beaches and blueways, bogs, forest walks and upland areas.

Now in its tenth year, the programme has already invested over €150 million in more than 2,000 projects around the country, promoting public wellbeing and rural economic activity.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Calleary said: "I am delighted to be announcing this significant funding package today that will continue to deliver for the outdoor recreation sector. The projects we have delivered in the last ten years have not only supported our physical and mental wellbeing, but they have also been a driver of economic benefit in some of the most beautiful parts of our country.

-- Advertisement --

"Through 'Embracing Ireland's Outdoors', the national outdoor recreation strategy, my Department is working to transform the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland.

"I want to acknowledge the tremendous efforts made by all the volunteers and committees who have worked with lead applicants in the past ten years in delivering for our country and I look forward to continuing to deliver with you into the future."

Funding is available under three main measures this year: up to €40,000 for small-scale repairs, maintenance, promotion and marketing (Measure 1); up to €200,000 for medium-scale repair, maintenance, upgrades and new trail or amenity development (Measure 2); and up to €500,000 for strategic large-scale repair, upgrades and new strategic trail or amenity projects (Measure 3).

An enhanced Project Development Measure (PDM) will also help lead applicants build a pipeline of shovel‑ready projects for future calls, with development costs supported up to a combined maximum of €100,000 per local authority or €70,000 per local development company.

Targeted provisions are included for Gaeltacht and island communities. Local authorities with offshore islands or Gaeltacht areas may submit one additional PDM application for a project valued at up to €50,000 and one extra application under Measure 1.

New for 2026, local authorities may also lodge one additional application of up to €50,000 to fund the pre‑development work required for equestrian trails and bridleways, aimed at expanding these facilities in a targeted manner.

Applications are invited from local authorities, local development companies and state bodies. Proposals should be developed in consultation with local communities and align with the emerging recommendations of new county outdoor recreation plans now being prepared nationwide.

Deadlines for this call are as follows: Measure 1 and the Project Development Measure close on 25 September, while applications under Measures 2 and 3 will be accepted until 15 December.

Concluding, Minister Calleary said: "I am pleased to be providing greater flexibility to local authorities and local development companies to fund the pre development work required for new projects, including for equestrian trails, and also to be permitting an additional project application from one Gaeltacht or island area in each county as appropriate. I have also clarified the role that this scheme can play in undertaking capital maintenance works on existing amenities.

"I look forward to announcing the successful projects under this fund in due course and would encourage groups with an idea for a project to engage with their local authority or local development company who will be happy to support them."