€190k funding boost for outdoor amenities

An upgrade to the toilets at Lilliput and new road safety measures at Lough Owel are among seven local outdoor amenities that will benefit from a new €190,000 funding allocation.

The local projects are among 200 amenities across the country that will receive funding of almost €6 million under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

Welcoming the news, Minister of State Peter Burke said the projects will help people enjoy Westmeath's "hidden gems".

"“These projects will provide huge benefit to families and individuals across the county, and I know they all are very well utilised. It will be of note to see what progresses out of the feasibility study to develop a new walk at Tudenham.

"They will also provide a major boost to local economies by attracting visitors and furthering our reputation in Westmeath and the Lake County as a destination for adventure tourism. Almost €4.3 million will be used to improve some 163 outdoor amenities across the country. Each project will receive up to €30,000 to support their enhancement.

“Outdoor activities play a key role in communities and we have seen this throughout the recent pandemic. Recreation tourism is growing internationally and has the potential to have major economic spin-off benefits for our rural towns and villages.

“Funding will also be invested in 37 outdoor projects that are now at the early stages of development, these projects will receive up to €50,000. Funding for larger scale projects under Measures 2 and 3 of the scheme will be announced by Minister Humphreys in the coming weeks," Minister Burke concluded.