Drive to boost rural tourism in Tipp
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has announced €15 million in funding as part of a new five year strategic partnership with Coillte designed to boost rural tourism. The plan includes several projects in North Tipperary.
The funding will develop the outdoor recreation facilities that Coillte provides across its recreational sites.
Some 260 recreational forests and 12 forest parks including a number in Tipperary, will receive investment as part of the initiative, approved by Minister Humphreys.
Deputy Michael Lowry has welcomed the news announced by the Minister, saying that the funding will develop the outdoor recreation facilities that Coillte provides across its recreational sites in the county.
Deputy Lowry welcomed the announcement, which will help enhance outdoor attractions. “This is important for both physical and mental health. Investing in the outdoors is vitally important for people of all ages,” he said.
PREMIER COUNTY'S PROJECTS
The projects in North Tipperary to benefit include:
Castlelough (Tipperary Heritage Way) - €2,000; Devil’s Bit Trail - €15,000; Doonane/Ballyhourigan-Keeper Hill - €11,000; Knocknacree (Cloughjordan) - €5,000; Knockanroe/Step – Silvermines - €9,000; Slieve Felim Way (Rearcross) - €2,000 and Sopwell (Cloughjordan) - €3,000.
This national funding will result in improvements being carried out to some 3,000 kilometres of walking trails and cycleways in a major boost to outdoor tourism and rural communities.
Minister Humphreys said: “Our forest parks, walking and cycling trails and upland areas are what makes Rural Ireland stand out.
“Right across the country, people of all ages reap the benefits of these unique natural amenities on a daily basis. This €15 million partnership between the Department of Rural and Community Development and Coillte will further enhance our great outdoors – benefitting hundreds of thousands of people for years to come. As minister, investing in our great outdoors has been a major priority of mine.
“We all know the benefits that our forest parks and outdoor trails provide in terms of both our physical and mental wellbeing.
“And so, I’m really pleased to approve this new partnership today – which I have no doubt will be so important in terms of attracting more visitors to rural Ireland.
“Coillte is Ireland’s largest forester and also Ireland's largest provider of outdoor recreation space. The Coillte estate includes 260 recreational forests, 12 forest parks, 3,000km of way-marked walking trails and six purpose-built world-class mountain biking facilities.
“Over the last two years we have seen a major increase in the number of people accessing outdoor recreation infrastructure. Coillte is uniquely placed to assist us in meeting that demand to ensure that people can continue to enjoy the unique advantages offered by the Irish countryside.”
Coillte recorded a significant increase in visitor numbers to its Forest Parks and recreation sites over the past two years, with a doubling of visitor numbers at some of its most popular sites. The recent funding announcement will assist Coillte in upgrading facilities to meet the increased demand for access to these amenities, many of which exist in Tipperary.