Dún na Sí awarded significant funding for outdoor infrastructure

Significant funding has been allocated to Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park under the government’s Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).

Announced on Thursday by Minister of Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys, the aim of the scheme is to boost interest in outdoor pursuits post-Covid. The funding will help in the development, promotion and maintenance of outdoor amenities such as trails, walkways, cycleways, and blueways.

Dún na Sí Amenity in Moate has been allocated €126,000 to renew a large section of outdoor infrastructure, with repair, replacement and development of the outdoor path system, equipment and toilet facilities.

Speaking about the funding that has been awarded, General Manager of Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park Donna Gilligan said “we are absolutely delighted to get the support.”

“We see the renovations for the park as being necessary to improve our offerings for the public and help us bring the park to the next level.

“We have been one of the few places in the last year that has been lucky enough to be able to stay open most of the time. Dún na Sí has been a public amenity for people to get outside and to spend their leisure time somewhere safely, and we’re delighted to have been able to provide that for the community.

“We’re very much a community-based park, so something like this will allow us to provide an even better service. It’s very important to us.

“We’re very appreciative of the public support for the park, and the support from Westmeath County Council as well,” she finished.

Up to €200,000 was available to measure 2 medium-sized projects, with the total amount of funding coming to €6.5 million for 38 amenities across the country.

Measure 1 small scall repair projects (up to a grant of €20,000) were announced in January, while measure 3 projects (large-scale repair and new strategic trail/amenity development) with funding of up to €500,000 will be announced in the coming weeks.