Funding for Waterford Outdoor Recreation Projects
Green Party TD for Waterford Marc Ó Cathasaigh TD today welcomes the announcement of €562,141 funding for Waterford projects under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme which was announced today by Minister Heather Humphries in partnership with Fáilte Ireland . The scheme which is operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development will see €15.5 million spent on developing 84 outdoor adventure projects nationwide with 4 strategic Waterford projects in the pipeline.
Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said
The great outdoors have been a lifeline to so many, especially since the start of the pandemic when people explored more of their local areas and gained an even greater appreciation of what our natural world has to offer. Today’s announcement highlight’s this government’s commitment to our rural communities and to creating sustainable attractions for locals and tourists alike. This is a new strand of funding which will focus on developing adventure tourism activities such as hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, swimming and cycling. It will see major investment nationwide in mountain and forest walks, cliff walks, beaches, bogs, lakes, greenways and blueways which will bring social and economic benefits to the communities involved.
The primary aim of this scheme, which ties in with the government’s Our Rural Future strategy, is to support rural economies and make rural Ireland an even more attractive destination for sustainable adventure tourism. With specific investment in Bunmahon, Stradbally, Kilmacthomas and Kilcomeragh, these West Waterford communities will start to see the benefits by next summer.
We will all have seen the increase in the numbers of people hiking, swimming and kayaking throughout Waterford and this funding will provide more options for the long term enjoyment of these healthy and sustainable hobbies within the county. I am very happy to see Waterford City & County council avail of this funding stream for some key Waterford projects which will build on the success of our Greenway, our forest walks and our beaches to even further enhance the county as a sustainable tourism destination.
The Waterford projects funded are as follows…
Copper Coast Walking Trail: Bunmahon to Stradbally, Co. Waterford.
Feasibility, preliminary design, etc. for a 9km section of the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark between the villages of Bunmahon and Stradbally, Co. Waterford. €50,000
Kilmacthomas River Walk Enhancement Works
Enhancement works to include surfacing and ancillary infrastructure. Kilmacthomas River Walk, Graigueshoneen, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford. €69,930
Waterford Trails and Outdoor Amenities: Visitor and Footfall Counting Project
Installation of visitor footfall counters at trails and other outdoor recreation amenities in Co. Waterford. Countywide €76,885
Development of Crough Wood Trailhead, Amenities and Car Park, Mahon Bridge, Co. Waterford.
Development of Crough Wood Trail Head, amenity area and car park. Kilcomeragh, Co. Waterford. €365,325
