Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary has announced €16.5 million in funding for 63 outdoor recreation projects across Ireland.

The announcement was made during a visit to Clare Island, Co Mayo, where the Minister outlined support for projects under Measures 2 and 3 of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). The scheme provides grants of up to €500,000 for the development, repair and enhancement of recreational facilities.

The projects span every county and include walking and cycling trails, mountain access routes and outdoor water-based amenities. Among the successful applicants are Kingscourt, Co Cavan, where €500,000 has been allocated for a new greenway hub with parking and seating; Durrus, Co Cork, which will receive €196,395 to extend the local walkway to the village; and Carrigart to Downings, Co Donegal, where €500,000 will fund the final phase of the coastal walkway.

In Louth, €500,000 will go towards the enhancement and widening of the North Bank of the Boyne Greenway, including the installation of lighting. On Clare Island, Co Mayo, €500,000 will fund the upgrade of the Clew Bay bike trail to improve accessibility, while in Villierstown, Co Waterford, €200,000 will support the enhancement of the quay for water-based recreation. A further €445,500 will be provided for new trail construction and habitat restoration on Djouce Mountain in Co Wicklow.

Speaking on Clare Island, Minister Calleary said the investment would strengthen outdoor amenities that serve as community hubs and important assets for tourism.

“This significant funding will enhance recreational spaces which act as social centres for our communities and attractions for visitors. The projects announced today deliver on the objectives of our national outdoor recreation strategy, Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors,” he said.

The 63 projects are in addition to 221 announced in August. Combined funding under the 2024–2025 ORIS programme now exceeds €25 million, the largest allocation since the scheme began.

The Minister added that the Clare Island project would extend the Clew Bay bike trail further into the island, describing it as the outcome of true collaboration between many stakeholders.

He also confirmed publication of the Second Progress Report for Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, which outlines progress on actions under the national strategy and is available on the Department’s website.

List of approved projects under ORIS 2024–2025 (Measures 2 & 3)

Carlow
• Deerpark/Johns Hill – improvement and enhancement of Johns Hill Looped Walk (€177,741)

Cavan
• Kingscourt Railway Hub – development of a greenway hub with car parking and seating (€500,000)

Clare
• Bridges of Ross Walking Trail Extension – extension of the existing trail to create a looped walk (€108,000)

Cork
• Durrus Coastal Walkway Phase II – link walkway with Durrus village (€196,395)
• The Pontoon Walkway, Barleycove – replacement and accessibility works (€452,520)
• Youghal Greenway Trailhead – trailhead infrastructure at Midleton–Youghal Greenway (€197,931)
• Glen River Loop Walk, Banteer – upgrade works (€158,250)

Donegal
• Carrigart to Downings Walkway Phase 2 – completion of coastal walkway (€500,000)

Dublin
• Dublin Mountains Way, Sean Walsh Park – relocation and upgrade of trailhead (€112,050)
• Whitestown Greenway – construction of final section (€300,000)

Galway
• Rinville Park Walkways Extension – 2.5 km of new lit paths (€245,700)
• Lúibín Locha Bhárr an tSrutháin, Leitir Mucu – upgrade and repair of track (€65,390)

Kerry
• Ballyseedy Wood Amenity Trail – extension connecting to Tralee (€500,000)
• Jarvey Lane Walk/Cycle Trail Phase 2 – completion of upgrade (€200,000)
• Shannon Way (Slí na Sionainne) Phase 2 – surfacing and trail works (€200,000)
• Strickeen Mountain Trail – erosion repair and improvement (€196,299)

Kildare
• Ballymore Eustace Walking Loop – repair of Liffey Linear Walk (€102,600)

Kilkenny
• Brandon Hill Trail Enhancement – habitat protection and erosion control (€439,425)
• Kilmacow Loop Walk – footbridge refurbishment and enhancements (€200,000)
• Mountain Grove Loop Trail Redevelopment – rehabilitation works (€200,000)

Laois
• Slieve Bloom Signage Strategy Phase 2 – installation of information boards (€152,350)

Leitrim
• Bóthar Na Naomh Trail Extension to Cloone – trail extension to Creigharee Holy Well (€200,000)
• Dromod–Rooskey Greenway – 1.95 km link between villages (€500,000)

Limerick
• Seefin Path Repair and Upgrade, Ballyhoura – resurfacing and drainage (€148,050)
• Bird Hide, Lough Gur – construction of public viewing facility (€153,518)
• Abha Bhán Amenity Enhancement and Access Upgrade (€184,595)
• Monument Hill Walk – redevelopment including steps and viewing platform (€433,342)

Longford
• Legga to Moyne Walking and Cycling Trail (€200,000)
• Lissard–Cranalagh More Green Trail, Edgeworthstown (€200,000)
• Longford Trails Upgrade 2025 – countywide improvement works (€495,846)

Louth
• Boyne Greenway North Bank – enhancement and lighting (€500,000)

Mayo
• Belleek Woods Trail Resurfacing (€200,000)
• Mayfield Lake, Claremorris – upgrade and boardwalk extension (€200,000)
• Clare Island Bike Trail Upgrade (€500,000)
• Kilcummin Loop Walk Enhancements (€200,000)

Meath
• Ratoath Riverwalk Extension (€200,000)
• Ratoath Riverwalk Upgrade (€200,000)

Monaghan
• Castleshane Forest Recreational Enhancements (€151,387)

Offaly
• Fr. Paul Murphy Street–Grand Canal Link, Edenderry (€135,000)

Roscommon
• Pontoon installation, Cavetown Lake (€200,000)
• Castlerea Riverfront Accessibility Works (€500,000)
• Mote Park Restoration and Car Park (€200,000)
• Suck Valley Way Enhancements (€197,991)

Sligo
• Cleveragh Learn to Cycle Project (€112,500)
• Glen Wood Footbridge and Trail Link (€500,000)
• Strandhill Trailhead (Queen Maeve Trail) Upgrade (€189,000)

Tipperary
• Bay Lough Access Walkway Upgrade (€153,000)
• Thurles River Suir Walkway Phase 2 (€447,300)
• Clonmel to Carrick-on-Suir Blueway Widening and Signage (€200,000)
• Monaincha Discovery Trail Enhancement (€134,003)

Údarás na Gaeltachta
• Bealach Portaigh Seana Mhac Trail Development (€500,000)
• Erris Looped Walks – green loop and upgrade works (€159,371)

Waterford
• Cappoquin Railway Bridge Loop Phase 2 (€493,454)
• Dunmore East Coastal Walk Upgrade (€200,000)
• Villierstown Quay Enhancement (€200,000)

Westmeath
• Ballymore Nature Trail Development (€196,200)

Wexford
• Coolgreany–Ballyfad Trail Link (€197,416)
• Our Lady’s Island to Carne Trail Phase 3 (€500,000)
• Wellingtonbridge to Little Sea Trail (€200,000)

Wicklow
• Djouce Mountain Trail Construction and Habitat Restoration (€445,500)
• Glen Turn Cliff Walk Upgrade (€193,500)
• Russelstown Link to Blessington Greenway (€180,900)
• Vartry Trails Lower Loop Repair (€194,580)

Total: €16,501,103