The Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) have welcomed the involvement of their member Local Development Companies (LDCs) in the delivery of 43 recreational amenity projects across the Country. Funded in partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development, the scheme provides funding for the development, promotion and maintenance of outdoor amenities such as trails, walkways, cycleways, and blueways.

Commenting on the initiative, ILDN Chairman Jim Finn said; “Local Development Companies have always been to the forefront in supporting communities in the development of new outdoor amenities and the enhancement of existing facilities. With the support of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, LDCs have had the capacity to develop a wide range of valuable projects in a host of Communities. ILDN members are delivering projects to the value of €752,484.78 under this particular phase of the scheme.

“Outdoor amenities have proven to be invaluable to communities for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic with people embracing the outdoors, utilising walking and cycling trails, and blueways to explore and to exercise. Outdoor Recreation will also play a vital role in helping tourism businesses throughout Ireland recover from the challenges presented post COVID-19.

“Local Development Companies are committed to supporting Outdoor Recreation projects in Communities which are environmentally sustainable and offer opportunities for people to explore and learn more about biodiversity and the natural environment of our island, with the assistance of this scheme, and the LEADER Programme which has delivered significant investment for Outdoor Amenities over the years through our LDCs.”

ILDN Member Projects:

Carlow County Development Partnership
River Barrow Signage, infrastructure, and promotion along River Barrow towpath Along River Barrow
€19,913.43

Clare LDC
Tick Born Disease Awareness Project
Promote awareness of diseases spread by ticks via promotional posters, trail marker posts with interactive panel and dispenser for “tick cards” (to remove ticks) Trails in the Burren
€7,465.00

Avondhu Blackwater Partnership
Avondhu Blackwater Way Upgrade of signage and trail Clogheen
€16,453.34

IRD Duhallow
Old Butter road Improvement works to trail (Phase 2) Old Butter Road Kerry
€20,000.00

IRD Duhallow
Old Butter road Improvement works to trail (Phase 1) Old Butter Road
€20,000.00

SECAD Partnership
Ballinascarthy Loop Walk Signage and minor enhancement works Ballinascarthy
€19,571.00

West Cork Development
Castlefreke Trails Installation of signage and promotion of
Trail Castlefreke, Cloonakilty, Co. Cork.
€17,099.86

West Cork Development
Fastnet Trails – Goleen Village Expansion of trails and carpark and facilities development Goleen, Co. Cork.
€19,512.00

Donegal LDC
Ard na Mona Looped Walk Provision of carpark
Ard na Mona Woods, Greenan, Lough Eske, Donegal
€17,988.30

Donegal LDC
Corrán Binne Trail Enhancement to trail access Largatreaney Horn Head, Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal
€17,211.00

Comhar na nOilean
“Out and About” on the Offshore Islands Promotion of the Off Shore Island’s Offshore Islands
€19,935.00

Comhar na nOilean
Inishbofin Looped Walks & Blueways Promotion and maintenance Inishbofin, Co Galway
€12,600.00

Forum Connemara
Luba Binn Shleibhe/Binn Shleibhe Loop Upgrade and improvements to hill walk. Cornamona
€20,000.00

NEWKD
Ballybunion Cliff walk Assessment project Cliff Road, Ballybunion
€20,000.00

South Kerry Development
Castlequin Loop Walk Trail development Cahirsiveen
€16,659.28

South Kerry Development
Ballykissane Loop Walk Trail development Killorglin
€15,052.61

Kilkenny Leader
Kilmacoliver Loop Walk Trail development Kilmacoliver Loop Walk Upgrade – Tullahought, Kilkenny
€20,000.00

Kilkenny Leader
Gathabawn Loop Walk Trail repair and enhancement Gathabawn Loop Walk Upgrade – Gathabawn, Kilkenny
€20,000.00

Laois Partnership Abbeyleix Bog Walks
Repair/replacement of trail bog bridge and resurfacing of the trails Abbeyleix
€18,000.00

Laois Partnership
River Walk to Lea Castle Upgrade of existing trail River Barrow
€19,980.00

Leitrim Development
Leave no Trace Material Supports Nationwide marketing and promotion All counties in Ireland
€19,800.00

Ballyhoura Development
Ballyhoura Cycling Trails Guide App Trail promotion Main St, Kilfinane, Co Limerick
€20,000.00

Ballyhoura Development
Marketing of recreation in the Ballyhoura Region Multi-channel promotion & marketing
Main St, Kilfinane, Co Limerick
€19,800.00

West Limerick Resources
Mullaghareirk Walking Trails Development, enhancement and
promotion of trail Broadford and Ashford, Limerick
€19,332.51

West Limerick Resources
Abha Bhan River Walk Enhancement of The Abha Bhan River WalkBallyhahill
€8,956.00

Louth Leader
Monasterboice Walking Trails Installation of trail heads, informational
and directional signage. Monasterboice, Drogheda, Co. Louth
€19,800.00

South West Mayo Development
Clogher Walking Hub Development of bog walk Clogher
€19,800.00

Monaghan Integrated Development
A Guided Journey of the Drumlin County – A Marketing and Promotional Campaign Marketing and Promotion North to South of the County
€23,422.25

Monaghan Integrated Development
Sliabh Beagh Outdoor Enhancement Enhance the existing walking trail routes Knockatallon Monaghan
€10,000.00

Offaly LDC
Lusmagh Heritage and Amenity Walk
Development and enhancement of walk Lusmagh National School
€14,220.00

Offaly LDC
St Cormac’s Heritage Walk Development and enhancement of walk St Cormac’s Holy Well Carpark
€19,962.00

Roscommon Leader
Promotion/Marketing project for The Miners Way & Historical Trail Region Upgrade marketing material Una Bhan Tourism Co-operative Society, Grounds of King House, Main St.Boyle, Co. Roscommon
€15,127.58

Roscommon Leader
Granlahan Loops Enhancement works and enhancements Granlahan, Co Roscommon
€8,280.36

Sligo Leader
Coolaney River Walk Maintenance of walk Coolaney, Co. Sligo
€16,650.00

Sligo Leader
The Powellsboro Bog Walk Upgrade and repair of the existing trail Powellsboro, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
€20,000.00

North Tipperary Development
St Cuanlans Youghalarra Trail Development of linkage trail to Lough Derg Way
Newtown, Nenagh. Co Tipperary
€19,823.13

North Tipperary Development
Ormond Way/Bears Breifne Way Marketing and promotion. Ormond Way/Beara Breiffne Way
€19,800.00

South Tipperary Development
Grange Loop Improvement works to walk Thurles
€20,000.00

South Tipperary Development
Aherlow Loops Signage and amenity enhancements Slievenamuck Hills
€5,420.58

Waterford Leader
Mount Melleray Monastery Walks Upgrade to looped walks. Cappoquin, Waterford
€18,824.55

Waterford Leader
Carriglea Wood Enhancement Enhancements to the walk and promotion Carriglea Woods
€19,305.00

Wicklow Partnership
Wicklow Trail Digitising Marketing and promotion Throughout Wicklow
€17,640.00

Wicklow Partnership
Trail Usage Monitoring Real time data on walker numbers Across Co Wicklow
€19,080.00