Over €180,000 funding for Cavan outdoor recreation projects
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced funding of €4.1 million to develop and enhance over 150 outdoor recreation projects, including seven projects in County Cavan.
The investment, under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), will be key to enhancing our mountain trails, forest walks, cycleways, rivers, lakes, and beaches. It will also provide a boost to local economies by attracting more visitors to our rural communities.
Up to €30,000 will be invested will in each project under today’s round of funding – with a focus being placed on small scale enhancements, upgrades, and repairs.
Among the local projects being funded includes a bike repair station network for County Cavan and an accessible angling jetty at Lough Sillan.
Announcing the funding, Minister Humphreys said “With summer just a couple of months away, I’m really pleased to announce over €4.1 million to develop over 150 outdoor recreation projects right across Rural Ireland. The investment I’m announcing today will greatly enhance the natural amenities right on our doorstep - from our walkways, mountain trails and forest walks, to our cycleways, beaches, and rivers”.
Welcoming the announcement, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Philip Brady said, “Our outdoor recreation facilities are our greatest asset, and I am delighted to see seven projects across Cavan will benefit from the funding announced by Minister Humphreys today. Not only will these projects enhance the mental and physical wellbeing of people across Cavan, but they will also attract visitors and boost the local economy”.
Chief Executive of Cavan County Council Eoin Doyle hailed the efforts of staff in Cavan County Council’s Community, Enterprise, and Tourism Department and Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark in securing this latest investment by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
“The funding secured today will encourage more cycling, walking, and inclusive angling, which will have myriad health benefits in addition to encouraging more sustainable climate-friendly travel. A great deal of work goes in behind the scenes to create a compelling application that conveys the value of a project to the community, and our dedicated staff in Community, Enterprise, and Tourism have once again delivered a fantastic result for County Cavan,” said Mr Doyle.
The breakdown of funding allocated is as follows:
| Lead Partner | Project name | Project Description | Amount Funded |
| Cavan County Council | Dun an Ri Forest Park Entrance Enhancement | Improvement works to the main entrance of Dún an Rí Forest Park | € 30,000.00 |
| Cavan County Council | Killeshandra Town Lake Amenity Upgrade | Refurbishment works at The Strand, Town Lake. | € 23,818.00 |
| Cavan County Council | Bike Repair Station Network for County Cavan | To deliver a network of bike repair stations across County Cavan | € 28,350.00 |
| Cavan County Council | Cavan Burren Park Upgrade | Upgrade works to Cavan Burren Park | € 30,000.00 |
| Cavan County Council | Geopark Recreational Maintenance | Upgrade works at strategic Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark sites | € 25,843.00 |
| Cavan County Council | Accessible angling jetty at Lough Sillan | The installation of a wheelchair accessible angling stand at Lough Sillan | € 26,048.00 |
| Cavan County Council | Lough An Leagh | Installation of boardwalk and signage on Lough an Leagh | € 23,068.00 |
| Total allocated | € 187,127.00 |
This funding will be invested in 151 outdoor recreation projects, bringing the total number of projects funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, since its establishment in 2017, to almost 1,600 nationwide.
These projects, under Measure 1, are to receive funding of up to €30,000 and will be delivered by September 2025. Further announcements of successful projects under Measures 2 and 3 of ORIS 2023 will be made in the coming weeks.
The funding announced today is in addition to the €2.3m which was announced in November 2023 for 50 projects under the Project Development Measure of ORIS.