Popular Kilkenny outdoor projects get €1m funding hike

Almost €1 million has been allocated to develop outdoor adventure projects in Kilkenny.

A total of €934,490 has been awarded under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) announced by the Government today.

The funding will be used develop natural amenities and support outdoor pursuits such as hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, swimming and cycling.

The following Kilkenny projects will benefit from the funding boost:

*Kilkenny Countryside Park: Some €499,500 has been allocated for the enhancement of recreational amenities along the North Kilkenny Cycle Loop, including railhead, the Parade, the Weir River Nore Swimming Area, Bleach Road, Kilkenny Countryside Park on the site of the old Dunmore Municipal Landfill in Dunmore).

*Castlecomer Discovery Park: €50,000 to engage consultancy services with expertise in land-use planning, heritage, economics and tourism. The Discovery Park has also received a further €195,945 to develop the Ardra Looped Walk & Arboretum Walk and the provision of age friendly accessible amenity spaces and interpretation signage.

*Woodstock Gardens and Estate, Inistioge: €189,045 to upgrade woodland and garden trails to improve accessibility for all, with accessible trails, age friendly and disabled parking and wheelchair swing.

Welcoming the funding, Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan said the investment in local projects will “benefit people of all ages and abilities for generations to come”.

Deputy Phelan (pictured below) added. “This unprecedented investment will also help further our ambition to support our rural economies and make rural Ireland a destination of choice for adventure tourism. Outdoor pursuits have become an even bigger part of all of our lives over the past two years. Through this Fund, we are developing and enhancing the fantastic natural amenities in our rural communities so more and more people can access and enjoy them.”