€40,000 announced to improve Kilkenny walking trails

Walking trails in Kilkenny are set for a series of upgrades to help people to enjoy rural areas of the county.

Today, Wednesday, Minister Heather Humphries has announced €40,000 in grants for four different walking trails in Kilkenny, under the walks scheme of Our Rural Future. Each project has been awarded the maximum grant of €10,000, which will be administered by Kilkenny Leader Partnership.

Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys said: “Our walkways and outdoor trails really showcase the unique beauty of our rural towns and villages. They are hugely popular assets among families, hikers, cyclists and tourists alike and it’s therefore so important that we continuously maintain and protect them."

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In Kilkenny the four trails included in this announcement are:

Freshford Loop Signage and Benches Project

Replacement and relocation of the existing mapboard stand. Installation of three age friendly benches.

Gathabawn resurfacing project

1. Works will consist of the laying of recycled plastic bog board across a spring to allow the water to flow under or through.
2. Install drainage and resurface a section where farm machinery crosses the trail.

Kilmacoliver Summit Loop Surface Upgrade

Upgrade of 400m of trail surface where areas have become boggy and impassable in wet weather. Geotextile will be laid and repairs to drain bridge.

Nore Valley Fencing Upgrade

Upgrade of fencing along 270m of the Nore Valley.

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Minister Humphreys went on to say these projects will be delivered through local contractors and workers, providing a boost to rural economies.

“Outdoor recreation tourism is a growing sector internationally, and has the potential to have major economic spin-off benefits for our rural towns and villages," Mister Humphreys said. “I would encourage everyone to visit their local trails to see the fantastic work that is being done in conjunction with our farmers and landowners.

 “A visit to your local trail also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air, beautiful views and the peace of mind that being in the outdoors brings.”

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The projects being funded are led by local development companies in collaboration with landowners, Community Trail Management Organisations and other stakeholders.

Under the Walks Scheme, funding is provided to farmers and other landholders to maintain the trails that travel through their land. Funding is also provided to local development companies for the management of the scheme and the upkeep of the trails.

The Walks Scheme Development Fund supports projects that require more extensive work, which would be additional to ongoing maintenance. Over the last two years the Department has provided funding of over €400,000 for 48 projects under the fund.

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Along with the recent announcement of a major expansion of the Walks Scheme, this funding will support the growth of outdoor recreation across rural Ireland and will provide high quality recreation opportunities which are key commitments of the new ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 – 2027.