Almost €770,000 in funding for Clare under Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors
- Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and Ballycuggaran all to benefit
- Funding part of Ireland’s first National Outdoor Recreation Strategy
Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed the announcement of €768,204 in funding for Clare, under the Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors initiative.
Minister Heather Humphreys has today launched the initiative, which is a five-year ambitious and transformational National Outdoor Recreation Strategy.
“Clare is a county with iconic nature and outdoor options on our doorstep,” said Deputy Crowe.
“We all know the value of the Cliffs of Moher to our local economy and the pull that has for tourists from around this island but also further afield.
“It’s vital that we protect and maintain them, while acknowledging the tourist footfall that they bring in.
“Today’s announcement has seen €500,000 allocated to the Cliffs of Moher North Coastal Walk – one that many of us will have traversed over the years and one that virtually every visitor to our county has walked.
“The Cliffs and the Burren geopark will also share €87,304 for upgrade works, while a sum of €180,900 has been allocated to Ballycuggaran/Two Mile Gate in the east of the county for the upgrade of facilities there.
“Since the onset of the Covid pandemic, I think we’ve all gained a newfound love and respect for the great outdoors, whether that be the coast or a forest walk or any of the other amenities dotted across Clare.
“The benefits to spending time outdoors are well documented and this, combined with the tourism and economic impact of having such fantastic amenities locally, means maintenance on these sites is key.
“I’m glad to see the government acknowledge the importance of the outdoors and I look forward to seeing this funding put to good use at some of our best-known places.”
-ENDS-
