Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced over €603,000 in funding for outdoor projects in Cavan and Monaghan.

The projects are as follows:

• Cavan:     €339,556:

€200,000 investment  in the Dromore Greenway in Cootehill

€140,000 investment in the Cavan Way (Dowra).

• Monaghan:     €263,957:

€200,000 is to be invested in the Ballybay trail

Almost €64,000 will be spent improving the Lough na Glack to Ardee Road Walking Trail in Carrickmacross.

Other Shannonside regions to benefit are:

• Longford:     €400,000:

€200,000 is to be invested in the construction of a walkway and cycleway linking Ballymahon Town with Newcastle Woods. And€200,000 will be invested in the Newtownforbes Bog Walk.

• Roscommon:     €349,850: 

€200,000 will be invested in the walkway and cycleway at Portrunny Harbour, while almost €150,000 will be spent improving the Doon Shore Outdoor Amenity at Lough Key.

• Leitrim:     €329,580:

Over €180,000 will be spent improving the Fowley’s Fall Trail and over €149,000 will be spent on a walking trail from Leitrim village to Sheemore Hill.

The total spend is part of a €6.5 million investment nationwide under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, which is run by Minister Humphreys’s Department of Rural and Community Development.

Minister Humphreys said investing in outdoor amenities is more important now than ever due to Covid-19.

Minister Humphreys commented:

“Our outdoor amenities have been so important for our mental health during Covid-19,particularly for those who are remote working.

“Whether it’s our trails, our walkways, our cycleways or blueways – we’ve all relied heavily on our outdoor infrastructure over the past 12 months.

“So I’m delighted to announce these investments in projects in the likes of Ballybay, Cootehill and Carrickmacross. These are wonderful amenities that really deserve this major investment.

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