€250,000 funding for outdoor projects in Offaly welcomed

Two outdoor recreational projects in Offaly are to benefit from €250,000 in funding under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

€200,000 has been allocated to create a new 400m river walk amenity along the banks of the River Brosna in Clara and a further €50,000 has been earmarked for the Derryounce Experience development plan under the Scheme, which is designed to enhance outdoor recreational amenities.

The funding, which is being rolled out in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, has been welcomed by local Fianna Fáil TD, Barry Cowen, who said Covid-19 has given us "a newfound appreciation for our great outdoors and we are now seeing an unprecedented level of investment in outdoor amenities, underpinned by the most ambitious Government policy for rural Ireland, ‘Our Rural Future’."

He added that he was delighted to see "two worthy Offaly projects" being supported under the Funding Scheme, and pointed out that the past two years has seen "increased usage of the great outdoors for recreational purposes" by both locals and visitors alike to the many outdoor attractions around the country.

"This investment will benefit people of all ages and abilities for generations to come while supporting our local economy,'' concluded Deputy Cowen.

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme supports rural Ireland as a destination for adventure tourism and is designed to enhance recreational amenities such as our mountain trails, forest walks, beaches, rivers, lakes, blueways and greenways.