Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys has today announced funding of over €209,000 to upgrade and enhance 23 walking trails across the country.

The funding, under the Walks Scheme, will improve trail surfaces and deliver additional seating and signage for the benefit of walkers, tourists and families alike.

 A number of trails and walks will also be ‘re-routed’ to improve their safety and to protect the rural countryside.

 Under the 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  successful projects include:

• 10,000 euro for the Lung Lough Gara Way in county Roscommon for the installation of boardwalk across a bog section to improve the walking experience

 

• 10,000 euro for trail enhancement on Suck Valley Way in county Roscommon for the installation of a boardwalk and stiles

 

• 10,000 euro for the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail in county Mayo to reroute the trail at Knockraha with the relocation of an existing walkway bridge and drainage to be installed

 

• 10,000 euro for Hymany Way path in Connemara, to upgrade a 400m stretch of bog in Castleffrench West