Co. Galway has emerged as the top recipient of forestry funding nationwide, securing a substantial €312,933 for capital projects and general maintenance within Coillte managed parks. A notable portion of this allocation, amounting to €115,000, is earmarked for the development of a 1.9km trail at Castlegrove. The proposed upgrade to tar and chip surfacing will see the funding utilized for tasks such as site preparation, track grading, and drainage enhancements. The remainder of the funding will be dispersed across the county to facilitate the upkeep of forest parks.
This investment forms part of a strategic collaboration between the Department of Rural and Community Development (DCRD) and Coillte, with a total funding injection of €3 million designated for the enhancement and modernization of visitor and recreational amenities at Coillte forest parks nationwide. Co. Cavan follows closely behind in forestry funding allocation, securing the second-highest sum per county across the country, with a notable €245,268 set aside for capital projects and maintenance endeavors.
A significant portion of this funding, specifically €200,000, has been allocated to Deerpark in Virginia for the development of a new car park entrance, encompassing both design and construction aspects. The remaining €45,268 will be channeled towards general maintenance activities within other forests in the county, including the removal of hazardous ash trees along trails at Killykeen Forest Park and riverbank restoration efforts aimed at safeguarding trails within Dún a Rí Forest Park.
The distribution of total funding across other counties is as follows: Carlow – €33,678, Clare – €139,527, Cork – €237,591, Donegal – €118,894, Dublin – €156,655, Kerry – €211,072, Kildare – €94,775, Kilkenny – €50,033, Laois – €43,421, Leitrim – €30,170, Limerick – €162,899, Longford – €11,903, Louth – €120,111, Mayo – €224,441, Meath – €13,464, Monaghan – €76,443, Offaly – €12,450, Roscommon – €59,720, Sligo – €98,166, Tipperary – €93,691, Waterford – €53,201, Westmeath – €27,453, Wexford – €72,955, Wicklow – €75,759.
An additional €236,640 will be dispersed nationwide for various maintenance initiatives, including upgrades to recreation facilities, signage enhancements, and improvements to multiple sites. Forest parks throughout the country are set to benefit from enhancements such as improved car parking facilities, installation of footbridges, and the provision of new toilet amenities.
