Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced €15 million in funding as part of a new five-year strategic partnership with Coillte designed to boost rural tourism.
Some 260 recreational forests and 12 forest parks will receive investment as part of the initiative. This will result in improvements being carried out to some 3,000 kilometres of walking trails and cycleways in a major boost to outdoor tourism and rural communities.
Minister Humphreys said: “Our forest parks, walking and cycling trails and upland areas are what makes Rural Ireland stand out. Right across the country, people of all ages reap the benefits of these unique natural amenities on a daily basis. This €15 million partnership between the Department of Rural and Community Development and Coillte will further enhance our great outdoors – benefitting hundreds of thousands of people for years to come. We all know the benefits that our forest parks and outdoor trails provide in terms of both our physical and mental wellbeing. I have no doubt will be so important in terms of attracting more visitors to rural Ireland.”
Coillte recorded a significant increase in visitor numbers to its Forest Parks and recreation sites over the past two years, with a doubling of visitor numbers at some of its most popular sites. In 2022 €3 million will be spent on projects throughout the country.
This includes:
Avondale, Co. Wicklow: Construct new multi-access trail and a family cycle trail at Avondale Forest Park – €100,000
Donadea Forest Park, Co. Kildare: Final phase of works to entrance road and car park – €160,000
Crough Wood, Co. Waterford: Reinforce unstable embankment and re-open trail – €80,000
Deerkpark / Headford, Co. Cavan: Open new access point and install new car park to serve Deerpark forest – €200,000
The Minister continued:
“These works will include development of trails, cycleways, play areas, upgrading of car parking and toilet facilities to help manage the growing number of visitors. Coillte estimates that it welcomes in the region of 18 million recreation visitors annually. This is one of a wide range of initiatives we are undertaking to develop our outdoor amenities and which will be central to the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy that I will be launching later this year.”’