Four Donegal clubs have been allocated a total of €100,000 to make pitch-side walking track facilities more accessible to everyone in the community.
Drumbar United FC, Letterkenny Rovers FC, Cappry Rovers FC and Inishowen Rugby Club will each receive €25,000 under the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) round of the programme.
Welcoming the local allocations announced by Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drug Strategy, Colm Burke, Donegal minister, Charlie McConalogue said: “I’m delighted that four Donegal clubs are to benefit from this latest round of funding which will see a total of €995,000 being invested nationally. Donegal is receiving the second largest allocation in the country behind Galway which is also pleasing.”
This is the second phase of the Healthy Ireland Walking Tracks Initiative, which previously delivered €1.6 million in funding to GAA clubs. Funding was allocated for a range of improvements, including the upgrading or the installation of lighting designed to prolong the hours of usage particularly during the dark winter evenings. 21 clubs nationally were approved for funding by the IRFU and 22 clubs were approved by the FAI.
“This initiative is about increasing physical activity among all ages by supporting clubs to upgrade walking tracks to improve accessibility for people with mobility issues such as older persons and wheelchair users,” the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine added.
“It’s great to see two of our main sporting organisations coming together to improve club facilities to allow people in the community the option to walk and exercise in a safe and secure setting on a year-round basis,” Minister McConalogue said.
