Almost €575,000 funding for outdoor recreation projects in Westmeath and Roscommon

Almost €575,000 has been awarded to outdoor recreation projects across Westmeath and Roscommon, it has been announced today.

Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary announced the funding today, which will see 221 projects nationwide benefit from an injection of €8.7m under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

The money granted will cover enhancement works on walking and cycling trails, improvements to signage, provision of parking and trail furniture, and support for the marketing and promotion of our outdoor recreational facilities. There is also funding for preparatory works on outdoor recreation projects.

In Westmeath, €40,000 has been awarded for the Crosswood bog boardwalk, which links the old rail trail to Crosswood bog at Moydrum, Athlone. A further €37,350 has been awarded for works to upgrade the Westmeath Way, including updated trailhead information, replacement of waymarking and stiles.

Some €50,000 has been warded to Westmeath County Council for preparatory work for the development of Greenway last mile connections in Ballinahown and Athlone from the planned midlands trail to Ballinahown and Athlone.

The council has been awarded a further €49,050 to carry out a Coosan Point Enhancement Plan Feasibility Study, which cover a study of the Coosan Point are, to include detailed design costing and technical specifications.

Roscommon County Council was granted €39,600 for the development of a digital marketing content asset bank of all outdoor recreational amenities across the county.

It also received €35,649 for the enhancement of Ballymona bog and Corkip Lough bog trails.

A further €50,000 was awarded to the council for a community trail plan, which will cover a plan to map and assess existing county trails for cyclists and walkers, identifying gaps and specific improvement works.

In total, Westmeath received €216,360 funding for projects throughout the county, while projects across county Roscommon received funding to tune of €357,949.

Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran welcomed today's funding announcement, saying: "The investment announced today will make local outdoor amenities safer, more attractive, and more enjoyable for residents and visitors alike. It will also encourage greater participation in outdoor activities, boost local tourism, and enhance the health and wellbeing of the community.

Further funding will be made available under Measures 2 and 3 of the Scheme later this year."

Minister Robert Troy also welcomed the announcement: “I am delighted this morning to welcome funding to the tune of €220k for County Westmeath. The inclusion of recreational projects such as upgrades to the Westmeath Way, upgrading the rail platform at Clonmore, and a boardwalk linking the old rail trail to Crosswood Bog, will ensure we can enhance these trails and in essence support the promotion of them throughout our county.

"Funding allocations under this scheme have made a sizeable difference. When I visit these recreational spaces around Westmeath, you can see the positive effect the investment has had on these spaces. Giving them a vibrancy and new life. These spaces are essential for Westmeath as they promote local tourism and show off the best of the county," he added.