It'll go towards enhancing the "hidden gems".
Almost €500,000 is going towards enhancing outdoor amenities in the midlands.
The significant funding boost comes under Measure One of the government's Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Laois is the biggest beneficiary in the region, receiving almost €220,000.
Over €187,000 is being invested in Westmeath amenities, with €82,000 going to Offaly sites.
The chosen projects include repair works to the Slieve Bloom Way, car park improvements at Lough Owel, and a feasibility study into new cycling tracks in Durrow.
You can see the full breakdown of funding here...
Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said;
"We’re at the height of the summer and whatever the weather I know families are getting out and enjoying Ireland’s great outdoors. The funding I’m announcing today will support the further development of our greenways, blueways and hiking trails making them even more enjoyable places for families to visit. Every county will benefit from today’s announcement so if you’re a walker, a swimmer, a cyclist or even a fisherman... Getting active in the fresh air outdoors can be a tonic for the body and soul and this was brought home to us all during the pandemic. Some of these amenities are often hidden gems on our doorsteps so I’m encouraging people to get out and discover them over the rest of the summer."
Minister Humphreys continued;
"Over the last number of years my Department has provided unprecedented investment in our outdoor amenities, underpinned by our most ambitious rural development policy in decades - ‘Our Rural Future’. Outdoor recreation tourism is a growing sector internationally, and has the potential to have major economic spin-off benefits for our rural towns and villages. My Department is at an advanced stage of developing the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy which will underpin this investment and give it a platform for further growth."
Funding for larger scale projects under Measures 2 and 3 of the scheme will be announced by Minister Humphreys in the coming weeks.
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