National Outdoor Recreation Conference

The first annual National Outdoor Recreation Conference was hosted by Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and Comhairle na Tuaithe in Sligo on Thursday 27th June 2024, to support the delivery of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors Ireland's National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027.

The Conference provided an opportunity to network with national and county organisations involved in outdoor recreation, join in the discussion on national outdoor recreation policy and hear about the latest developments in the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland.

Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors Ireland's National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027, was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe (the Countryside Council) and is a collaborative cross-Government, stakeholder-led strategy. It reflects the views of stakeholders, the public and the whole of Government and it sets the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come. The implementation of Embracing Ireland's Outdoors is being led by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Sport Ireland and progress is overseen by Comhairle na Tuaithe.

Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors will ensure that there is a joined up and coordinated approach to deliver maximum impact from the significant investment in the sector and to build on the natural advantages in place. The Strategy also aims to increase the number of people active in the outdoors, especially young people and under-represented groups, and to foster a greater understanding of how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Better planning and development of outdoor recreation infrastructure will be embedded through the Strategy implementation. This will lead to enhanced protection of the environment and will be in keeping with best practice management of landscape and habitats.

View presentations from the conference below.