Mayo Minister announces €8.7m in outdoor recreation funding

Mayo TD and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today announced €8.7 million to deliver 221 recreational based projects nationwide.

The funding through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) was announced today in respect of Measure 1 (small scale repair and development of recreational infrastructure) and the Project Development Measure of the Scheme. Further announcements in respect of Measures 2 and 3 of the scheme will be made later this year.

Speaking at The Warren Way, on the outskirts of Ballina, Minister Calleary confirmed that 16 Mayo projects, in addition to The Warren Way, have been allocated funding under his Department’s scheme.

“Investment in the outdoors is so important to us all from a physical and mental health perspective. I am very happy to be making this announcement today which will see over a wide range of capital projects developed and delivered all across the country, adding to our already impressive outdoor recreation offering.

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“The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme continues to deliver on the commitments in Our Rural Future and the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, and builds on unprecedented levels of investment in the sector in recent years.

“I am especially pleased to be in a position to support local trails and amenities in Mayo, each of which will greatly enhance the local communities in which they are based. The investment is in excess of €650,000. Here at The Warren Way on the Coast Road from Ballina to Enniscrone €40,000 has been allocated for the surfacing of the trailhead,” he said.

Other projects being funded under Measure 1 include Dooega and Dugort beaches in Achill with €40,000 towards the installation of two changing facilities; Lahardane to Neiphin Trail – funding of €40,000 for the development of a trail from Titanic Park towards Nephin Car park; Tullaghan Roy Loop Walks – €40,000 towards the development and upgrade of loops; Inishturk Island – €40,000 for upgrading trails and addition on signage to enhance the walks; Kilmovee Heritage Loop – c€39,600 for the completion and enhancement of the 6km route; Downpatrick Head – €40,000 for the upgrade of 300m section of trail to make it more accessible;

Nephin – €40,000 improve a 150m section of the access route to Nephin mountain; Balla Town Park – €40,000 upgrade of Croagh Patrick Heritage trail and loop walks within the park; Bohola Walking and Cycling Hub – €18,000 for the completion of the hub to include seating, educational signage and viewing point; Mayo Abbey Wetlands Development – €39,903 for the creation of pathways around an innovative wetland area with fencing, seating and a viewing platform; Croagh Patrick – €40,000 for landscaping degraded areas of the summit and sections of the main path; Tochar Phadraig – €40,000 for the upgrade to existing path. 

Minister Calleary added: “Under the Project Development Measure of the scheme I have allocated €50,000 each to four projects to be advanced. These are Achill Greenway Hub – design of a gateway near the Michael Davitt Bridge, enhancing visitor experience and connectivity; Killlala Harbour/Ross Walkway – develop a plan ready for planning submission for a marine leisure amenity at Killala Harbour; Portadoon Harbour, Inishturk – develop a plan for a marine leisure amenity; Bowers Walk, Ballinrobe – investigate routes to re-route the Bowers Walk.

“These are all very exciting projects for Mayo. I will continue to work closely with the partners, including Mayo County Council, North East Mayo Leader, South West Mayo Development Company and local community groups to see them through to fruition,” he said.