By Joe McCarthy
Sport Ireland has welcomed the news that €1m in government funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development is to be invested to enhance walking trails across Ireland, aligning with the mission of the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy (2023-2027).
This funding is aimed at supporting the development, maintenance, and promotion of key trails in both rural and urban areas, ensuring greater access to Ireland’s natural landscapes for residents and visitors alike.
Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: “We’re delighted to see this investment in supporting and improving our walking trails across the country. This is a welcome announcement as it allows for more people across the country to get active and make the most of Ireland’s ever-growing network of walking trails.”
At Sport Ireland we continue to aim to get more people active and walking continues to be popular with the Irish population. The Irish Sports Monitor survey shows 69% of people regularly take part in recreational walking.
“The National Outdoor Recreation Strategy has provided a framework for walking in Ireland to continue to grow. This investment will help increase participation by removing barriers and preventative aspects for getting active and exercising outdoors,” said Dr May.
Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys said: “This funding will be used to upgrade and maintain these trails, but also to promote them from a tourism perspective. I know we’re coming into the winter and the evenings are getting shorter and darker, but getting out for some fresh air to clear the head is so important.”
Under the initiative, some 203 community groups will receive grants ranging from €1,500-€35,000 for developing and upgrading their local trails. Some of the upgrades will include improved signage, resurfacing and rerouting.
This funding is also being provided under the scheme to support groups to promote their trails as tourist attractions.
Sport Ireland Outdoors
Sport Ireland Outdoors works with many sporting bodies and other organisations to develop and promote a variety of outdoor sports, to support the development of recreational trails throughout Ireland, which are all developed to encourage more people to be active in the great outdoors.
For further information and a breakdown of the walking trails investment click here.
Get Ireland Active
The Get Ireland Active National Database is Ireland’s interactive activity, sport and recreation hub. It is a central registry bringing together the collective resources of Government, Sport Ireland, local authorities, state agencies, and the national governing bodies of sport to capture all sports facilities and places for people to be active in Ireland. The database is accessed through an easy-to-use, interactive website, unlocking the many resources on your doorstep.