Mayo awarded €160,000 for outdoor recreation projects
FUNDING of more than €159,800 has been awarded to Mayo for eight outdoor recreation infrastructure projects.
The funding was confirmed by Mayo Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon following this morning’s announcement by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, under Measure 1 of the 2020 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, which provides grants of up to €20,000 for small scale maintenance, promotion and marketing projects.
Deputy Dillon congratulated the successful applicants, saying: “These projects will create recreation facilities in their local communities for the benefit of all.”
The following projects have each been awarded €20,000:
Achill: Combine the Dooagh 4km looped trail and the 10km Deserted Village trail; enhance existing paths, tracks, signage and drainage; install small bridge crossings and rest areas.
Claremorris, Clare Lake Land of the Giants: Replacement of two foot existing bridges.
Breaffy Woods loop walk, Castlebar: Supply and install boardwalk materials; improvements, enhancements and extension on the trail.
Clogher Walking Hub: Develop two high quality loop walks complementing the existing Clogher Bog 8km loop. This will help create a new walking hub based around the Clogher Heritage Centre (13km).
Burrishoole Loop Walk and Great Western Greenway, Newport: Develop and enhance a trailhead to the Burrishoole network of loop walks and Great Western Greenway; improve, parking, bike parking and information on directional signage.
Erris Head, Belmullet: Improvements to the trailhead to facilitate parking, bike parking, information on directional signage.
Mayo County Council, marketing of Mayo Trails: Develop a dedicated Mayo Trails website to showcase trails that are available throughout Mayo; develop and create a library of digital content as a promotional tool.
Kilmovee Heritage Trail: Enhance and further develop a 6km heritage trail, incorporating significant sites and monuments. This will facilitate access and enjoyment of the landscape and promote and protect the heritage of Kilmovee.
Said Deputy Dillon: “The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme has been crucial to the development of the recreation facilities enjoyed by growing numbers of locals and tourists in rural areas in recent years. These facilities are now more important than ever in light of the Covid–19 emergency.”
The scheme will primarily be run by local development companies, local authorities and State agencies, and funding will be provided to a maximum of 80% of total project cost, with the balance to be provided from other sources.
Funding is broken down by 90% from the department and 10% from the local authority and other sources. This increased funding level has been introduced in recognition of the difficulty in raising match funding due to the impact of Covid–19.
In a statement, Castlebar Councillor Ger Deere welcomed the allocations in respect of the Breaffy Woods loop walk and the Clogher Walking Hub.
He paid tribute to the two communities as well as Padraig Philbin, Anna Connor and the staff of Mayo County Council for their work in developing these outstanding amenities.
Councillor Tom Connolly has welcomed the news that €20,000 has been allocated to Clare Lake, Land of the Giants, Claremorris for upgrade works.
He stated: “I was very pleased to be advised that €20,000 has been approved for upgrade works at Clare Lake, Land of the Giants, Claremorris under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme”.
“This funding will be used to replace and upgrade two existing footbridges at Clare Lake, Land of the Giants, Claremorris. The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme is a wonderful scheme. It provides the opportunity for development of new amenities and the enhancement of existing facilities”.
“This investment at Clare Lake, Land of the Giants, will greatly enhance this wonderful location."