Shannon Development welcomed the recent €720,000 tourism grant aid package announcement by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Martin Cullen TD, towards the development of 4 new cycling projects in counties Clare, Limerick and South Offaly valued collectively at €1 million. This announcement by the Minister is part of an overall €4.3m grant aid package for 27 projects countrywide under the NDP Tourism Infrastructure Programme administered by the National Tourism Development Authority, Failte Ireland.
According to Flan Quilligan, Tourism Projects Executive, Shannon Development, “These four projects are important elements of Shannon Development’s 2008 tourism strategy for the Shannon Region which will allow the development of strategically located cycling trail in counties Clare, Limerick and South Offaly to be progressed in partnership with Shannon Region Local Authorities and local community groups under the Shannon Region International Trails programme established by Shannon Development last year”.
Highlighting Shannon Development’s role Mr. Quilligan said, “Shannon Development’s aim is to development of a world class recreational trail network which will secure long term sustainable economic benefits for less-developed areas of the Shannon Region, and is designed to create a network of trails demonstrating a best practice demonstration project for the wider national trails programme. We are working closely with Fáilte Ireland, Local Authorities and local groupings to make this a reality. We worked with the promoters of each of the four cycle projects to assist them formulate their plans and secure funding, and we will continue to assist them in the development and promotion of their projects”.
All of the cycling projects under this grant package will be developed as part of an overall cycle network strategy for the Shannon Region and will also form part of a National Cycle Network Strategy currently being implemented by Fáilte Ireland. The projects to benefit under this grant aid package are:
In County Clare the Doolin Cycling Hub and Shannon Airport to Ennis Cycle Route has received grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €210,562 with a total investment in 2008 of €281,000. This grant package for County Clare has been approved to Clare Co Council who will implement the works programme and are also providing significant capital investment for the projects in partnership with Shannon Development. The Doolin Cycling Hub project involves the creation of a number of marked cycling routes based on the use of Doolin, North Clare, as a Cycling Hub and also involves provision of interpretative panels, cycle parking and cycle counters.
The Shannon Airport to Ennis Cycle Route involves development of a dedicated cycle route on the old N18 route between Shannon Airport and Ennis. The new cycle route will also link with the proposed Ennis Town Cycle Network Strategy and provide a safe two way cycle lane facility to serve overseas tourist visitors, Irish holidaymakers and local cyclists between intermediate points on the route. Total distance of this new dedicated cycle route is approximately 26km.
County Limerick is also set to benefit with the Great Southern Trail Cycle Route receiving grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €422,164, with a total investment in 2008 of €578,000 towards the development of shared use cycling and walking trail. This funding has been approved to Limerick County Council (who are also providing significant capital investment for the project) in respect of work to join up the existing sections by developing an 8km trail from Newcastle West to Barnagh. County Limerick will then have a safe traffic free dedicated cycling and walking trail from Ardagh to Abbeyfeale of approximately 26km in length. The work will involve clearing, draining, fencing, surfacing, bridge-repair, wheelchair-friendly stiles, and signage and information boards. Funds have also been allocated to upgrade the 4km line from Newcastle West to Ardagh with a tarred finish. The works programme will be implemented by the project promoters Limerick County Council in association with the local community group (The Great Southern Trail Company Ltd.) who have been instrumental in the project.
In South County Offaly Lough Boora Parklands Cycle Trail has received grant aid of 75% of eligible expenditure, up to a maximum of €86,250, with a total investment in 2008 of €115,000. The funding has been approved to Offaly Co. Council who will implement the works programme in association with Bord na Móna who have been instrumental in getting this project established. When complete the works will assist in the development of 5km of exclusive cycle tracks at Lough Boora Parklands, which will link to existing road networks used for cycling. This will provide a safe cycle network and add significantly to the package of activity choices in the Parklands. The provision of this cycle track will accommodate a variety of cyclists with particular focus on family friendly locations with appropriate options on cycle distances. This new facility will compliment existing routes suitable for cycling.
Minister Cullen TD said at the announcement: "Funding of €14.8 million is being provided in 2008 to support investment in our key tourism infrastructure, attractions and visitor activity facilities which are in need of upgrading and development, and to bring on stream new products and experiences to meet the needs of a more discerning international and domestic tourist."
The focus of the Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which was launched in 2007, is on supporting local authorities and other key infrastructure providers to develop appropriate facilities for tourists. It targets facilities such as walking and cycling routes, jetties and moorings, angling stands, access paths to key areas of environmental and scenic interest, and signposting and orientation facilities in heritage and historic towns.
Further information on Shannon Development’s cycling trails is available at www.shannonregiontrails.ie or www.discoverireland.ie/shannonregion
Nandi O’Sullivan
Public Relations Manager
Tel: +353 61 710259
Mobile: +353 86-2371510
Fax: 061 363180
E-mail: Click Here