Almost two million euro in funding has been announced for seven different projects across the Shannonside region under the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy.
This latest tranche is under the banner "Embracing Irelands Outdoors" and is aimed at building on the appetite shown during the pandemic for people to go outside and enjoy their local amenities.
Three projects in Roscommon are being allocated a total of €845,000.
The largest amount goes to Rathcroghan Visitors Centre for the development of archaeological looped trails around the ancient royal site.
Mote Park on the outskirts of Roscommon town is getting €200,000 to further develop trails in the forest, and another €200,000 is being made available for the installation of accessible kayak and canoe launch system for Doon Shore at Lough Key and the Boyle canal and river.
In Leitrim, €200,000 is being used for the development of an extended car park at Acres Lake in Drumshanbo.
€139,000 is being allocated for works on the Mass Rock Trail at Mullaghgrave , Aghacashel, and €200,000 is being given towards the extension of the Shannon Erne Blueway to Lock 4 at Ballinamore.
In Longford, half a million euro has been allocated for Phase 2 of the North Longford Rebel Trail between Monaduff and Ballinamuck.
One of the local projects to receive funding under this latest round is Mote Park in Roscommon where €200,000 has been allocated for the further development of the walking trail there.
Eilish Feely from Mote Park Conservation Group says says they're very happy to have been successful in their application and the money will be used to give everyone an even better experience when they go to the very popular amenity:
We're delighted with the announcement today and there is a lot of hard work that has gone into this second application by the staff in Roscommon County Council, Coillte and ourselves and the assistance of our local politicians.
This tranche of funding, you may remember there was a proposal to build a viewing tower at Moat Park but that couldn't go ahead due to insurance reasons.
Instead what is being developed is the existing trial to have sensory elements developed, sculptures and more areas for immersing yourself in nature, seating areas, signage etc
It will give people a more immersive experience in the woodlands
