Donegal Minister McHugh has said almost €75,000 funding for five outdoor recreation projects will be a real boost for local communities, tourism and leisure in the county.
“The €74,728 funding will help to improve trails for walking and leisure from the Gaeltacht, to the most northerly point in Ireland to our famous sea cliffs and glorious beaches,” Minister McHugh said.
“Teastaíonn uainn go bhfeicfidh go leor daoine an tairbhe a bhaineann le bheith ag dul amach agus le cosáin níos fearr, le comharthaí agus níos mó faisnéis mar chuid de sin, a chinntiú go bhfuil a fhios ag daoine cad atá ar leac an dorais agus cuairteoirí a mhealladh chuig limistéir nua.
“The money will see better signage, information points, better paths for walkers and hikers and help to bring more people to new areas and also encourage people to see what’s on their doorstep.
“These projects are being funded with the aim of getting many people out and about and to take what they can from some of the best scenery and landscapes in the country.”
The funding is being provided as part of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The projects being supported in Donegal are:
– Bealacht na Gaeltachta – Improving trails with way markers, signage and trail furniture in Gaoth Dobhair, Na Rossan, Baile na Finne, Gleann Cholm Cille.
– Donegal Visitor Monitoring Project – Effective visitor monitoring at signature points along the Wild Atlantic Way on Sliabh Liag, Fanad Head and Malin Head.
– Scenic Loop Walk along Leghowney & Meenadreen with path brought up to higher standard and compliance with Sports Ireland Trails.
– Lurgabrack Nature Walk in Dunfanaghy will be improved with way markers, trail head signage, fencing and gating and registered with Sports Ireland trails.
– Murder Hole Beach Trail will get a safe access beach trail – 1.5km long, 3m wide grassland trail, with new information and trail head boards and way markers.
Minister McHugh added: “The funding for this is coming thanks to Project Ireland 2040’s Rural Regeneration Development. Credit to Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring for continuing to push and promote the support for this kind of recreation.”