Cycling greenways – including the one in Connemara, above – are among the Irish cycling projects sharing the new round of funding.
Eight projects being developed around the country partially or exclusively for cyclists have received funding to the tune of a combined €4 million.
A total of €8 million has been allocated to 18 projects nationally as part of the latest round of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
It is run by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The scheme is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development.
It provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and the maintenance, enhancement and promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in Ireland.
Minister Michael Ring said he was delighted to allocate funding for projects that were for walking and cycling combined, while others were for cyclists only.
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“The funding includes support for the development of a walking and cycle track along the existing disused railway corridor between Clifden and Oughterard in Galway, as well as an iconic trail over 19km along the southern edge of Clew Bay between Belclare and Louisburgh,” he said of two cycling projects that have secured funding.
“In addition, funding will support the development of a new cycle corridor from Lough Key Forest Park & Activity Centre to the town of Boyle, assisting it to realise its tourism and economic development potential.
“Recreational tourism is a growing part of Ireland’s tourism offering, and we have seen an increase in the number of Irish and overseas visitors enjoying the many greenways, blueways and walking trails which have been developed around the country in recent years.”
Cycling projects receiving funding
1 Clew Bay Trail Section 1C - Lecanvey to Bertra, €500,000
Proposing to develop an iconic walking and cycling trail over 19km along the southern edge of Clew Bay in Co Mayo between Belclare and Louisburgh.
2 Cycle Corridor from Lough Key to Boyle town centre, €500,000
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The development of a new cycle corridor from Lough Key Forest Park & Activity Centre for cyclists and walkers to Boyle town.
3 Connemara Greeenway Project, €500,000
Upgrade the existing disused railway corridor between Clifden and Oughterard to accommodate walkers and cyclists from Clifden to Oughterard, Co Galway.
4 Completion of linkage of Grand Canal Greenway to Royal Canal Greenway, €500,000
The development of a greenway link along the former Kilbeggan Branch Canal for 13km and provision of a 1km line from the greenway which terminates at the harbour into urban core of Kilbeggan town, Co Westmeath.
5 Belturbet to Lock 1 Corraquill Recreational Trail, €500,000
This is the second phase within Cavan of the larger Greenway project which extends from Belturbet, Co Cavan, to Dromod, Co Leitrim.
6 Ballyhoura Mountain Bike Trails Completion, €406,710
To realise the objectives of the master plan to improve and build on Ballyhoura's reputation as Ireland's premier mountain biking destination and provide for increased flexibility in the trail network at Ballyhoura, Co Limerick.
7 Coolaney National Mountain Biking Centre, €500,000
To construct Phase 2 of 13.6km of trails for a national mountain bike trail centre in Coolaney, Co Sligo. Phase 1 is supported with funding from the 2017 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
8 Kells Walk & Cycle way on Kells ring road, €500,000
Provision of a Kells walk and cycle way along the N52 ring-road around the town of Kells, Co Meath.
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