Grant boost to Laois amenities that can deliver tourism bounce

Projects across Laois are getting a cash injection thanks to a Government scheme which aims to boost recreation in rural areas and enhance tourism around Ireland.

A total of €180,000 is being allocated to the Laois under the Outdoor Recreation small grants scheme. The money will go to a variety projects each getting €30,000 as follows:

The funding was welcomed by Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan.

“I very much welcome this funding allocation. The Outdoor Recreation Scheme has been crucial to the development of recreation facilities across Laois in recent years. Recreation is hugely important for personal health and welfare and more people than ever are taking these matters seriously in their lifestyle," he said.

Across the border in Offaly, the Slieve Bloom Way & ancillary loops at Cadamstown & Kinnitty is gettting €30,000.

The Laois Offaly-based Senator Minister of State Pippa Hackett was pleased to see €91,954 being invested in 4 Offaly Projects and €180,000 in 6 Laois Projects .

"Offaly and Laois have so much to offer locals and visitors. We have fantastic outdoor amenities across both Counties and this funding will help to extend those amenities; improving access to our Mountain trails and Bog, Forest, River and Lake walks.

"With Spring in the air, brighter evenings, and summer just round the corner, there’s no time like the present to get out and see what Rural Ireland has to offer,” said the Green Party senator.

The money for Laois was announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys in a package of €4.1 million to develop and enhance over 150 outdoor recreation projects.

Her Department said the investment, under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), will be key to enhancing our mountain trails, forest walks, cycleways, rivers, lakes and beaches. It's also claimed that the money will also boost local economies by attracting more visitors to our rural communities.

Up to €30,000 will be invested will in each project under today’s round of funding – with a focus being placed on small scale enhancements, upgrades and repairs.

The Department said the funding would also benefit local communities with new or enhanced outdoor facilities while also helping to support local economies by continuing to offer domestic and international visitors an attractive and exciting array of outdoor amenities.

Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said: “With summer just a couple of months away, I’m really pleased to announce over €4.1 million to develop over 150 outdoor recreation projects right across Rural Ireland.

“The investment I’m announcing today will greatly enhance the natural amenities right on our doorstep - from our walkways, mountain trails and forest walks, to our cycleways, beaches and rivers.

“I believe the projects receiving funding today will play an important role in attracting more visitors to our rural towns and villages.

“So my big message as Minister today is to get out and explore those hidden gems in your community. The clocks are going forward this weekend – a perfect reason to go on that hike or cycle and enjoy the great outdoors.”

Minister Humphreys continued: “The Government’s Rural Development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’ and the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, have together set the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come.

“The health benefits from engaging in outdoor activity combined with the economic and social benefits that can be achieved by this investment for rural Ireland, will no doubt serve us well in to the future.

“That is why I am making this funding available today and I look forward to making further announcement for larger scale investment in this sector in the coming weeks.”

This funding will be invested in 151 outdoor recreation projects, bringing the total number of projects funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, since its establishment in 2017, to almost 1,600 nationwide.

These projects, under Measure 1, are to receive funding of up to €30,000 and will be delivered by September 2025. Further announcements of successful projects under Measures 2 and 3 of ORIS 2023 will be made in the coming weeks.

The funding announced today is in addition to the €2.3m which was announced in November 2023 for 50 projects under the Project Development Measure of ORIS.