I welcome today’s launch of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors – the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy by my Government colleague Minister Heather Humphreys. While I believe interest in outdoor recreation was accelerated by pandemic restrictions, I also believe we have a growing appreciation that getting out of doors and being active is an important foil to our busy indoor lives. Outdoor activity can be low cost and local.
In my constituency, I am delighted to see that today funding is announced to provide a link to Derryounce trail from both Laois and Offaly. This wonderful amenity is going from strength to strength: Very well done to the hard working people of Derryounce Lakes and Trails for this investment of €174,000 in expanding the trails. And in Laois, €191,728 has been awarded for the development of a floating pontoon and access at Castle Durrow Demesne, a foot bridge on the River Goul at its confluence with the River Erkina, carpark and access at the Woodenbridge and access steps at Boston Bridge. The Erkina Blueway offers a wonderful opportunity for slow tourism in Laois and this funding is another fantastic boost for the town of Durrow and its wider community.
For more information please see https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/c267d-our-rural-future-minister-humphreys-launches-embracing-irelands-outdoors/