Ciaran Mullooly: Proper investment in recreation infrastructure is vital
Ciaran Mullooly has been a boat skipper on a boat the Shannon for 18 years and, as the co-founder of the Lough Ree Access For All boat, believes there’s a need for greater investment in the outdoor recreation area in the region
I’m a lucky man, and I admit it. In the course of my day job I drive around the countryside constantly in awe of the fantastic landscapes we have at our disposal and the obvious potential for these locations to create an even greater tourism impact on our economy. Anyone who has ever gone through the locks along the River Shannon, meandered in a boat into Lough Key near the Forest Park in Boyle, or driven into the harbours and marinas at Portrunny or Ballyleague, doesn’t need me to tell them about the vast beauty of the place and the majestic sights that fill your eyes with absolute amazement on any such visit. I remember well the first time I drove up to the Arigna Mining Experience Centre and, looking back down the valley, thought for a minute I was in Wales with the thousands of tourists who trek in the valleys there each year. This corner of Ireland has as much going for it as any part of that British landscape had we only the investment for Fáilte Ireland to promote, market and signpost it just a little bit better.
A new €15 million funding scheme has been announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, to promote all sorts of outdoor adventure activities and give a major boost to rural tourism around the country. The big idea in the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is to develop activities on mountains, lakes, beaches, bogs, forest walks and greenways which will not only attract walkers and trekkers, but make them want to stay in the area overnight and spend a few bob with the locals. The projects covered include hiking, mountaineering, equestrian trails, cycling and rock climbing, all of which could happen on any square of the land at Arigna, Kilteevan, Sliabh Bawn, Boyle or Donamon. Water-based projects include kayaking, swimming, tidal pools, surfing, paragliding and hang-gliding, all of which could be easily centred in Hodson Bay, Doon shore or Ballyleague, Portrunny or Lecarrow. The potential for expansion of the tourism fare is endless.
The scale of finance available from the latest Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme is also considerable. Small projects can receive €30,000, medium-sized projects will be eligible for €200,000, and €500,000 is available for larger projects under a fund that was increased since the last Budget. Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ballina, County Mayo, and in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, it has already produced notable successes nationwide with city and county councils, State bodies and local development agencies applying successfully for funding of over €87 million for more than 1,200 projects. This time around there’s a very different emphasis on the appeal for entries, with Minister Humphreys highlighting the fact that, during the pandemic, outdoor pursuits and activities became more important than ever, so she feels it’s a good time to appeal for new applicants. This is fighting talk from the Minister, so let’s see if it is justified.
Then in June 2023, the Minister for Rural and Community Development increased by €1million the annual grant aid for outdoor recreation facilities and amenities, saying that the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme had provided funding of over €106 million for more than 1,500 projects nationwide so far
The landscape has very definitely changed since previous Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme launches, and increasing the number of outdoor adventure activities available to international tourists will not only have a wider appeal to community groups and local tourism service providers looking for international visitors, it will have a burning appeal to domestic walking, jogging, triathlon clubs and even ORCAS swimming groups. Many of these came into their own during the long days of the pandemic when we all had to stick closer to home because of restrictions and discovered locations we never even knew existed. We now see better the potential for visiting tourists if only we could improve the quality of the attraction on our doorstep.
Community groups would do well to note the key changes in the application process and new areas that can be covered. The scheme may provide some limited additional funding for marketing and promotion of new infrastructure, typically as part of a wider project involving capital supports.
The 2022 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme continues to emphasise equality and access for all, supporting recreational infrastructure which provides an inclusive approach for communities with a diverse range of users, including people with disabilities and older adults. Local groups must engage in collaboration with others who would be affected by the new infrastructure and ensure, in advance of the submission of an application, that the local community has been consulted and their feedback taken on board.
Some recreational activities, however, are not eligible for the scheme such as sports which take place on confined courses or pitches specifically designed and constructed for those pursuits. This rules out golf, football and show jumping, for example. Yet, as it stands, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme offers fantastic opportunities for communities to develop forest walks, mountain access routes, trail access to birdwatching locations and floating boardwalks on lakes. All that is needed is local group coordination and the generous cooperation of landowners to get this going.
When a day ! @LRAccessforall were invited to @loughkeyforestp to support @IWAIreland Carers Day, we immediately said YES. Cathriona & AnnMarie from @dpdireland came along to help Lisa & our crew & over 60 people with disabilities on board today @ChambersIreland @athlonechamber pic.twitter.com/2Y0Bm9vFiS
— Lough Ree Access For All (@LRAccessforall) August 26, 2023
There is absolutely no doubt but that active people lead healthier lives and have stronger connections to our communities. Recreation is essential to our well-being, encouraging physical activity, fostering social connections and providing enjoyment for all ages and abilities. Proper investment in recreation infrastructure is a preventative approach which offsets spending on reactive social justice and health infrastructure such as prisons and hospitals. With sustainable maintenance and funding for renewal, outdoor recreation facilities are one of the most cost-effective prescriptions for good health and engaged citizens.
However, just as healthy living and environmental considerations need an ongoing commitment, the funding and ongoing maintenance of outdoor recreation infrastructure projects urgently needs to be much more strategic, coordinated and based on transparent criteria and a clearer definition and assessment of stakeholders’ responsibilities.
It is time now to transform the State’s current one-time, short-sighted hand-out culture of grant aid for the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme to a more nationally-integrated approach which supports year-on-year proper planning, renewal and life-cycle management. Preferably one that is adequately aligned with the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027 which originally set out to “create a shared approach for the many strategies, programmes, agencies and elements in Ireland’s outdoor recreation sector".
- Ciaran Mullooly's book, , is out now.
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