Michael Ring, Minister of State for Regional Economic Development, has announced the provision of funding of €167,406 for the delivery of a number of Rural Recreation projects in Co Mayo through a combination of trail maintenance and development by Mayo County Council, South West Mayo Development, and Coillte.
Funding will be provided to Mayo County Council (€60,000 ) for Drumleen Loop Walk (Keenagh ), a beautiful scenic walk with panoramic views of high mountains, streams, and Drumleen lake. The funding will be used to enhance the existing trail and develop a picnic and interpretative area as well as upgrading the trail to a standard allowing accessibility for all types of users, walkers, joggers, and cyclists.
An additional €12,600 will be provided to South West Mayo Development for maintenance works on the Western Way from Srahmore to Letterkeen. A sum of €91,070 will be provided to Coillte as a contribution to its maintenance and signage programme of works on the following walks: the Western Way, Bangor Trail, Brackloon Woods, Moore Hall Wood (Partry ), Drummin (Foxford/ Pontoon ), Raheens Wood (Castlebar ), Tourmakeady Forest, Belleek Wood (Ballina ), and Blanemore Forest (Moygownagh ).
Minister Ring said: “The further development and enhancement of these walks will be hugely beneficial in terms of encouraging visitors and locals alike. It is critical that the infrastructure that supports access to the many wonderful natural resources that we have on our doorsteps is maintained and enhanced. This not only supports the continued use of these amenities by the people who live and work in Mayo from both a recreational and health perspective it also facilitates economic development of the county by supporting tourism from both within and outside of Ireland."
