Cash boost for outdoor amenity projects

THE Clare O'Leary Walk in Bandon, along with the Slí Gaeltacht Mhuscraí from Kealkil to Guagan and Macroom Town Park are among 12 Cork projects to get a major funding boost.

They have received funding of up to €10,000 each as part of the government's 2017 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

It will involve the County Council working with communities to enhance local amenities. The Clare O'Leary Walk will receive €8,000 while Slí Gaeltacht Mhuscraí and Macroom Town Park will each receive €10,000.

The scheme provides for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and the maintenance, enhancement and promotion of existing outdoor  recreational infrastructure.

In addition to these projects, €1m has been awarded to the Cork Harbour Greenway project where it is proposed to extend existing greenway facilities by commencing the development of a link that will connect Glenbrook to Carrigaline to provide for a harbour-long greenway.

Mayor Cllr Declan Hurley welcomed the funding award, noting the positive contribution that investment in such amenities makes to local communities as well as to the tourism potential of the county.

Also welcoming the funding to extend the Cork Harbour Greenway was Gordon Reid, Green Party representative in Bandon-Kinsale who described the potential for this project as particularly unique.

Meanwhile, the Beara Breifne Way, which reaches from the tip of the Beara peninsula to Co Fermanagh, has received additional grant-aid of almost €1m to further develop one of Ireland's longest walking routes.

The trail, which follows the route taken by Donal Cam O'Sullivan and one thousand of his followers as they fled north in 1603, takes in nine counties and six mountain ranges and is for many walkers on their ‘must do list'.

Beara Tourism Development Association this week welcomed the news, saying they were delighted that Minister Michael Ring had approved €986,692 for the Beara Breifne Way project.