Kilkenny County Council has been successful in securing grant aid in the sum of €73,291 for outdoor amenities countywide. Two additional projects have been approved through Kilkenny Leader Partnership in the amount of €40,000. The projects are further evidence of Kilkenny County Council’s commitment to securing investment in outdoor amenities which will serve the local communities but also attract visiting tourists to some of Kilkenny’s hidden amenities countywide. The projects approved are;

LOCATION OF PROJECT	NAME OF PROJECT	DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT	FUNDING APPROVED
Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum and Woodstock Looped Walk	Promotion and Communications Plan	Marketing and Promotion	€13,500
Brandon Hill Loop Walk	Brandon Hill Loop Walk	Brandon Hill Loop Walk Upgrade Trail enhancement	€20,000
Freshford Loop Walk	Freshford Loop Walk Upgrade	Upgrade of Trail	€20,000
Cois Bearbha Riverside Loop Walk	Cois Bearbha Riverside Loop Walk	Upgrade of Trail	€19,791
Tullahought, Kilkenny	Kilkenny Leader Kilmacoliver Loop Walk Trail Development	Kilmacoliver Loop Walk Upgrade	€20,000
Gathabawn, Kilkenny	Kilkenny Leader Gathabawn Loop Walk Trail Repair and Enhancement	Gathabawn Loop Walk Upgrade	€20,000

This follows a recent announcement by the Department of Rural and Community Development who published details of projects to be funded under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority.  The Scheme provides funding for the development and maintenance of outdoor amenities such as trails, walkways, cycle ways and blueways.

Welcoming the allocations, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Andrew McGuinness congratulated the Council on securing the funding and added “I welcome the announcement of funding for these very worthwhile projects.  The last year has shown the important role that amenities have played in our physical and mental wellbeing and has seen a significant increase in the number of people using our walking routes, cycle tracks, parks and other amenities to exercise and keep fit, while having regard to guidelines on social distancing during this COVID 19 crisis.  I commend all involved in securing this funding.”

The projects announced under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme will contribute further to Kilkenny’s tourism offering, and will encourage visitors to extend their holidays in rural areas and explore the many attractions the region has to offer.

Today’s announcement relates to Measure 1 applications under the ORIS.  The Council awaits the outcome of applications submitted under Measures 2 and 3 of the Scheme.