Over €420,000 in funding has been announced for outdoor amenities in Kerry.
12 projects will receive up to €50,000 under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
It’s part of over €8 million in supports for 221 outdoor projects nationally, announced by Rural and Community Development Minister, Dara Calleary.
The funding has been welcomed by Children’s Minister and Kerry Fianna Fáil TD Norma Foley, Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae, Independent deputy Danny Healy-Rae, and Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill.
€423,787 has been announced in funding for outdoor recreation projects in Kerry under the ORIS scheme.
The projects in the county include enhancement works on walking and cycling trails, improvements to signage, provision of parking and trail furniture, and to support promotion and marketing of these facilities.
€50,000 has been allocated to both the Four Edges of Ireland Project at Dunmore Head; and for access plans, including a new slipway, at Lough Currane, Waterville.
Trails assessments at the MacGillicuddy Reeks are to benefit from over €44,000 (€44,730) in supports.
Meanwhile, a number of projects managed by North, East, West Kerry Development have been allocated funding, including pathway and drainage upgrades along the Dingle Way; and infrastructure refurbishments for the Kerry Camino.
Several projects managed by South Kerry Development Partnership are to receive supports, including the Gortbee loop walk and restoration works at Caher Mountain trail.
A full list of Kerry projects to benefit from Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme funding can be found below:
| Kerry | Kerry County Council | Extension to Cuan pier parking area | To provide additional parking for users of the Cuan pier amenity | €35,280 |
| Kerry | Kerry County Council | North Kerry Way (NKW) trailhead enhancements | To upgrade the trailhead of the North Kerry Way including installation of information signage, enhanced accessibility and fencing | €40,000 |
| Kerry | Kerry County Council | Promoting Kerry's outdoor amenities & infrastructure for accessibility & inclusivity | To create tailored content, imagery, and promotions of the outdoor infrastructure across County Kerry | €39,600 |
| Kerry | NEWKD | Dingle Way pathway and drainage upgrades and fence replacement | Pathway and drainage upgrade works along Slí Chorca Dhuibhne/Dingle Way, along with the replacement of a broken fence in the Killelton area | €34,159 |
| Kerry | NEWKD | Kerry Camino infrastructure refurbishment | Replacement of the benches along the Kerry Camino route | €1,602 |
| Kerry | NEWKD | North Kerry Way pathway upgrade and purchase of footfall counters | Upgrade of the pathways and drainage on Maulin Mountain and Triskmore Mountain and the purchase of footfall counters | €29,199 |
| Kerry | South Kerry Development Partnership CLG | Caher mountain trail restoration works | To carry out works on the Caher Mountain trail in the MacGillycuddy Reeks to prevent further erosion and path migration | €39,870 |
| Kerry | South Kerry Development Partnership CLG | Gortbee loop walk | The development and promotion of a way marked looped walk linking the townlands of Mealis and Lisleibane | €37,156 |
| Kerry | South Kerry Development Partnership CLG | Kerry Way Coomnahorna loop walk | To way mark a section of hillside, Hardtop’s Bothairín, joining the Kerry Way forming a loop beginning and ending in Caherdaniel Village | €22,185 |
| Total | €279,057 |
| Kerry | Kerry County Council | Four Edges of Ireland Project | Design of site enhancements at Dunmore Head as part of a joint initiative to develop the Four Edges of Ireland. | €50,000 |
| Kerry | Kerry County Council | Access to Lough Currane, Waterville | Plans for Lough Currane including a new slipway with integration of the pontoon onto the lakeside pier. | €50,000 |
| Kerry | South Kerry Development | MacGillycuddy Reeks Trails Assessment | Inspection and surveys at the MacGillycuddy Reeks to ascertain effects of recreational walking in the area. | €44,730 |
| Total | €144,730 |
