Minister Humphreys announces €558,788 for Cavan outdoor projects

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced a €558,788 investment in three outdoor recreation projects in County Cavan.

The projects funded are phase two of the Killykeen Greenway, which will see improved access on the Killeshandra side for cyclists by creating a looped route (€178,371 funding received), The enhancement of the lakeshore amenity at Crover Shore, Mountnugent (€180,417 received), and Development of an upland walkway on Slieve Rushen in West Cavan (€200,000 received).

In announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said “This investment announced today further underpins the Government’s commitment to developing our outdoor amenities as part of ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, the national outdoor recreation strategy”.

“Our world class outdoor amenities continue to make rural Ireland the place to be for adventure tourists as well as those who appreciate a more sedate pace of life. These projects are spread throughout the country, so everyone can avail of the outdoors.”

Welcoming the funding, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Philip Brady said, “Cavan’s natural resources are among our greatest assets, and this latest investment by Minister Humphreys and her Department in rural Cavan will allow us to further develop outdoor leisure infrastructure which will not only have a positive effect on the health of our communities but will also help attract tourism and boost the local economy”.

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Eoin Doyle said, “We welcome Minister Humphreys’ and her Department’s ongoing support of rural communities through the allocation of vital funds such as today’s allocation through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of our Community, Enterprise, and Tourism staff who, working with local communities, made such a compelling case for support under this scheme”.

Director of Service, Brendan Jennings said “Today’s announcement has been made possible thanks to the robust strategic foundation put in place through the development of our Walking and Cycling Strategy, Tourism Development Strategy, Sports Partnership strategic plan, Local Economic and Community Plan, and County Development Plan, all of which underline Cavan County Council’s commitment to enhancing walking and cycling facilities in the county”.

The €558,788 in funding announced for Cavan forms part of a €16 million investment nationally, supporting 69 larger scale outdoor recreation projects, bringing the total number of projects funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, since its establishment in 2017, to over 1,650 nationwide.