Bike trails set for a €10 million injection

The Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike trail in Laois and Offaly is part of a tourism project which is set to benefit from a €10 million cash injection.

The project is part of a multi-county Coillte-led project to get a slice of the €62 million Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, announced by Michael Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development.

A total of €10,262,900 will be split between the Slieve Bloom Trail and similar projects around Ireland.

“This flagship national project will develop international standard mountain biking trails which will provide recreational, health and tourism benefits. The locations include: Slieve Bloom (Offaly & Laois); Collaney (Sligo); Ballyhoura (Limerick and Cork); Ticknock/Ballinastoe (Wicklow and Dublin),” said a statement.

Coillte is leading the development of all the projects and the Laois Offaly trail has the support of local authorities in both counties.

Minister Ring's department believes the development of the national mountain-biking project will create recreational facilities in four locations across seven counties, promoting economic tourism potential in the process.

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund aims to revitalise rural Ireland.

“These investments will have a transformative effect on many rural towns, villages and outlying areas. These projects are ambitious and strategic in nature. The funding will transform communities by delivering projects in sectors such as tourism, agri-food and recreation,” said Minister Ring.

Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland was present for the announcement.

“This funding will greatly enhance attractions throughout rural Ireland which will boost visitor numbers to the regions and support local job creation in the tourism sector,” she said.

Laois TD and Minister Charlie Flanagan welcomed the funding for the Slieve Bloom trail the second such fund developed by Coillte.

“Outdoor recreational and adventure tourism is a key growth sector worldwide and it has been identified as a priority for Irish tourism,” he said.

Coillte aim to have the Slieve Bloom trail open for business by April.