Coillte forest trails in Laois get funding of nearly €70,000 in bid to promote rural tourism
Funding of €67,000 has been announced for Laois as part of a new five year strategic initiative with Coillte to boost its forest trails and rural tourism.
The Laois allocation is part of €15m nationwide announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys. It is envisaged that it will develop the outdoor recreation facilities that Coillte provides across its recreational sites.
Some 260 recreational forests and 12 forest parks will receive investment as part of the initiative, approved by Minister Humphreys today.
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.
A total of 21 projects have been earmarked for the funding in Laois.
They are as follows:
Baunreagh, general maintenance of paths, pruning and hedge cutting - 3,500
Brittas, Clonaslee- maintenance to walking loop, picnic tables - 2,500
Capponellan, Durrow - maintenance to paths and some hedgecutting - 3,000
Carrick Wood, Portarlington - general maintenance of paths, pruning of hedges - 3,000
Cathole, Rosenallis - trail maintenance - 2,000
Cullahill - trail maintenance - 2,000
Dunmore, Durrow - fallen tree removal, maintenance of paths - 5,000
Dysart Forest, Portlaoise - walking trail maintenance/upgrade - 3,000
Emo Court - dangerous trees to be removed and pruning required. Trail maintenance; erect threshold sign - 4,000
Garryhinch - potholes and bollards need attention in carpark. Some dangerous trees which need to be removed - 4,000
Glenbarrow - hedge cutting to carpark required. Minor maintenance needed to trail. Picnic furniture needs repair/maintenance - 2,500
Kelliville, Stradbally - maintenance of paths - 2,500
Knockatrina (Leafy Loop), Durrow - pruning of hedges and general maintenance of trails - 2,000
Lacca - minor trail maintenance - 2,500
Monicknew - new sign, stake fencing required - 6,000
Oughaval - maintenance of walking loop, fencing and maintenance of wooden furniture - 6,000
Sheffield Forest - maintenance to walking trails - 2,500
Slieve Bloom Way, Rosenallis - maintenance of walking tract and upgrade waymarkers - 3,000
The Cut - carpark maintenance and fencing - 4,000
The Derries (Rathadaire Lake walk) - hedgecutting and path maintenance - 2,000
Togher - path maintenance and hedge cutting - 2,000
Minister Pippa Hackett welcomed the funding.
“Many of us will recognise the forests that are targeted for funding today, places like Castletown in Kinnitty, Carn Park along the Westmeath Way and in my own locality, Garryhinch,” she stated.
“We enjoy these trails but we shouldn’t take them for granted and today’s funding will help with necessary maintenance, ensuring we can continue to enjoy being outdoors in safety.
“This investment is a partnership between the Department of Rural and Community Development and Coillte, within my own remit of responsibility, and will further enhance the great outdoor amenity that Coillte continues to offer – benefitting people of the Midlands and nationally every day of the year,” said Minister Hackett.