Community
More than half a million euro in funding for Limerick outdoor recreation projects
Limerick outdoor recreation projects – Mullaghareirk Walking Trails pictured above.
€500,000 pledged to Limerick outdoor recreation projects
By I Love Limerick correspondent Rachel Petticrew
Many Limerick people have acquired a fondness for the outdoors in recent years. Now, the county has been rewarded with over €500,000 in Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme funding.
The government scheme, part of the Our Rural Future strategy, exists to develop and repair nature trails, walkways, cycleways and blueways across Ireland.
A new and improved riverside walk will be developed in Croom, at the cost of €198,000. The trail will start at Croom Mill and lead to Islanmore. The nearby Sruthain Estate will also benefit, receiving a new access ramp and public lighting.
In Bruff, €200,000 will be spent upgrading the 2.5km Holycross ‘Slí na Sláinte’ trail.
Elsewhere, Limerick City and County Council will carry out a €50,000 feasibility study of the proposed swimming pool, canal and lough in Doyle, Rathkeale.
In another major boost for Limerick, a new leg of the Limerick Greenway, from Abbeyfeale to Listowel, has been announced as part of Kerry’s portion of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme funding, costing just under €200,000.
Smaller grants have also been issued to
several Limerick outdoor recreation projects, including Adare Riverbank Walk Nature Trail, the Ballyhoura, Region and Mullaghareirk Walking Trails.
Speaking to I Love Limerick, Mayor of Limerick City and County, Daniel Butler, praised the new investment.
“We have come to appreciate our local outdoor amenities so much more over the past two years, so I’m delighted the funding has now been received to upgrade facilities and make them more accessible to everyone,” said the Mayor.
“We have huge untapped potential in adventure tourism in Limerick, and these investments will help to develop this strand of activity, making Limerick even more attractive for people to live and to visit.”
Gordon Daly, Director of Community, Tourism & Culture at Limerick City and County Council said, “This further investment announced for Limerick outdoor recreation projects under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme for Croom, Rathkeale and Bruff is significant, and will further support rural economies and communities throughout Limerick.
#OurRuralFuture
Today’s announcement of Outdoor Recreation Funding is designed to support the enhancement of recreational amenitiesSee all projects: https://t.co/zS5yLsIJ3w@meathcoco @Failte_Ireland @LocalGovIre @DeptCulturelRL pic.twitter.com/olYI83Kvfi
— Department of Rural and Community Development (@DeptRCD) November 29, 2021
“The county is making great strides in providing outdoor amenities for the public to use and enjoy for years to come”.
Other major projects announced nationwide include a €500,000 investment in Meath’s Castletown Greenway and a new 2.4km Blueway in Portumna, Galway, also at a cost of €500,000.
The €15.5m national investment was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, on Monday, November 29.
To see all Outdoor Recreation Projects approved for funding, go HERE
For more news stories, go HERE