Bord na Móna is to get an initial €50,000 funding package to develop a new recreation strategy for bogs.
Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development,today (May 31) announced details of the initiative during a visit to Co. Offaly.
Minister Humphreys said the aim of the project is to “revitalise” towns and villages across rural communities in the Midlands, and boost tourism.
The minister said: “Through ‘Our Rural Future’ and the ‘Hidden Heartlands’ initiative, we are seeing more and more people choosing to visit our wonderful midlands counties – the likes of Offaly, Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford, East Clare, Westmeath, Cavan, North Tipperary and Galway.
“This initiative, in conjunction with Bord na Móna, is about capitalising on the huge tourism potential that is very much on show in the Midlands.”
According to Minister Humphreys this is the next step in turning boglands “into ideal locations for recreational use.”
“My department is already progressing an excellent strategy with Coillte in terms of developing our forest parks – places that are great locations for families and tourists alike to visit,” she added.
The minister said that the strategy will “provide real focus and build on the already successful recreation facilities that Bord na Móna operate” in bogs throughout the country.
Ger Breen, Head of Land and Habitats, Bord na Móna, said that Bord na Móna are “delighted to have secured funding from the Department of Rural Community Development to develop an Outdoor Recreation Strategy”.
Breen added: “This funding represents a major milestone in realising the Bord na Móna vision of rehabilitated peatlands existing side by side with renewable energy assets and sensitively developed, biodiversity and natural spaces for public enjoyment.
“The development of recreational spaces within our estate will provide both health and wellbeing benefits for our local communities and support the growth of sustainable tourism within the Midlands, helping to regenerate the local economy.”
Bord na Móna, which is a semi-state company, currently manages 80,000/ha of land.