Funding of €100,000 has been awarded to two outdoor recreation projects in Donegal.
The Swilly Way riverside walk in Letterkenny and Ballyconnell estate and gardens in Falcarragh have each gained €50,000 in support for their early stage development.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme aims to enhance outdoor amenities and provide a major boost to local economies by attracting visitors for outdoor adventures.
The Swilly Way walk was granted the funding to facilitate landowner engagement/stakeholder engagement, detailed design and tender preparation.
Meanwhile, the Ballyconnell Estate & Gardens Falcarragh was awarded the funding for a multi-disciplinary team to prepare reports and documents to inform the further enhancement of the recreational amenity.
These projects are to receive funding of up to €50,000 to bring them to a shovel-ready stage. Then they will be in a position to secure further funding through the other measures of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh said: ” The Swilly Walk project is a much desired one and making more of the opportunities that the river presents for the town is something that has been talked about for many years.
“Government’s Rural Development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’, has enabled record investment in our outdoor amenities at a level never before seen in Ireland.
“It’s also part of Fine Gael’s commitment to ensuring stronger, safer communities and making our rural towns and villages places that people can work, live and raise a family,” Cllr. Kavanagh concluded.
Announcing the funding, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, said: “We’re now heading into the darker days of winter and it’s more important than ever to make the most of those precious daylight hours by getting out and about when you can.
“The funding I’m announcing today will support the further development of our hiking trails, water based activities and other amenities making them even more enjoyable places for families to visit nationwide.
“These amenities are here for us all to enjoy. I would encourage everyone who can to get out and about, and make the most of what our countryside has to offer.”
