Minister Calleary opens outdoor recreation facilities across County Monaghan
- Published on: 9 April 2025
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
- funding of over €800,000 provided for three Monaghan projects
- facilities officially unveiled in Hollywood Park, Dartrey Park and Rossmore Forest Park
- Minister Calleary: “Investment in our outdoors is a key priority for Government”
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has today (Wednesday 9 April) officially opened a number of recreational amenities located in parks across County Monaghan.
These facilities have undergone enhancement works and extensions under funding programmes through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
Refurbishment works in Hollywood Park received funding of over €270,000 under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. This funding was to provide a quality freshwater bathing site including upgrading of walks, picnic and seating areas, changing facilities and toilets.
The scheme also provided funding of €400,000 for enhancement works at Dartrey Park. Works here included informal play spaces, interpretation and seating, and improved accessibility measures.
Further funding of €150,000 was awarded under the Community Recognition Fund for an extension to Rossmore Forest Park playground which is located just outside Monaghan town. These works include the installation of play equipment suitable for older children, safety surfacing, additional car parking and accessible picnic areas.
Speaking today in Monaghan, Minister Calleary said:
“Investment in our outdoors is a key priority for Government. Through funds such as the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, funding is being provided to develop and enhance these outdoor facilities. Activity in the outdoors is so important not just for our physical health but also for our mental wellbeing.
"I want to thank my predecessor in the department, former Minister Heather Humphreys, who ensured that schemes such as this were available and accessible to communities.
“My department also has a strategic partnership in place with Coillte which is investing €3 million every year to develop and maintain Coillte’s recreational offering across over 250 sites throughout Ireland. This is facilitating high quality recreational access in every corner of the country, including at Dartrey and Rossmore.”
Notes
2024/25 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme
The Scheme is administered at a local level by local authorities and local development companies. It will prioritise projects which have evidence of strong community engagement. Examples of activities which applicants should have in mind when submitting applications for the 2024/25 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) include:
| Land-based | Water-based | Air-based |
| Walking | Canoeing/ Kayaking/SUP | Paragliding |
| Hillwalking/Hiking | Rowing | Hang-gliding |
| Leisure Cycling | Open Water Swimming including Tidal Pools | |
| Mountain Biking | Surfing | |
| Equestrian Trails | Coasteering | |
| Trail/Off-road Running | Wind surfing/Kite Surfing/SUP | |
| Orienteering | Sailing | |
| Bouldering, Scrambling, Rock Climbing, Mountaineering | Diving |