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.