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The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today launched Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors - an ambitious and transformational National Outdoor Recreation Strategy.
The five year strategy was launched in Castlecomer Discovery Park in Co. Kilkenny where the Ardra Loop Walk and Arboretum Walk was also officially opened by the Minister.
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors was developed in partnership with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is a collaborative cross-government strategy that reflects the views of stakeholders and the public. The new strategy will set the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come bringing huge economic and health benefits to communities across the country.
Launching Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, Minister Humphreys said:
“The pandemic awakened a new discovery to explore amongst the Irish public. When we were confined to our counties or we could only meet friends and family outdoors, we gained a new found appreciation for the unique amenities we have on our doorstep whether it’s our forest parks, our mountain trails, our rivers, our greenways or our stunning beaches. Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors is about building on this momentum. It is about the strategic development of Ireland’s Outdoor Recreation sector so we can deliver maximum benefits to communities across the country. Those benefits are huge. Spending time outdoors supports our mental and physical health and it improves our quality of life. There also huge economic benefits, particularly for rural communities, with over 2.7 million overseas visitors taking part in outdoor activities every year in Ireland. Through this Strategy – I believe we can make Ireland the destination of choice internationally for outdoor recreation and adventure tourism."
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors focuses on bringing a more joined-up and cohesive approach to the development of outdoor recreation infrastructure at both a national and county level. As part of the strategy new Outdoor Recreation Committees will be established in every County to ensure there is a focused and strategic approach to the development of local amenities.
Building on this ground-up, locally led approach, the Minister is today announcing €14 million for the development of 59 outdoor recreation amenities and to support outdoor pursuits such as hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, and cycling.
Among the projects being funded today include:
Concluding Minister Humphreys thanked stakeholders and the public for their engagement in developing the Strategy:
“Significant stakeholder and public engagement has been at the core of the development of this Strategy. I would like to thank the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe for their tireless work in developing the Strategy. Thanks to the high level of stakeholder and public engagement Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors is a truly collaborative Strategy that will set the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come."
Embracing Ireland's Outdoors: National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
Comhairle na Tuaithe is collaborative body which supports the development of outdoor recreation activities. It is comprised of representatives of farming organisations, recreational users and State bodies with a responsibility for, or interest in, outdoor recreation and the countryside. Its mandate is to act as a forum for consultation and collaboration between stakeholders and to advise the Minister on matters relating outdoor recreation.
Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027 was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe.
Physical activities that take place in the natural environment, such as walking, canoeing, mountain biking, orienteering and wild swimming. It does not include activities that take place outdoors on confined courses or pitches (such as golf, football, show-jumping) or motorised activities (such as quads/scramblers) with the exception of motorised mobility aids.
Examples of some of the key actions which will be delivered through Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors include:
Ireland’s outdoors, a world of activities for all.
To lead, guide and facilitate the sustainable development and management of outdoor recreation and increased participation, in order to realise social, health and economic benefits. We will do this whilst respecting the custodians of land and water, caring for the environment and promoting responsible recreation.
The strategic objectives of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors are to:
€1.6 billion has been invested over the last four years to support the enhancement of natural spaces and the development of recreational amenities such as walking trails, blueways and greenways. This figure also includes funding provided through the Department of Transport’s Greenway funding and its Active Travel Investment Programme funding which supports the development of high-quality new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure. The Active Travel Investment Programme does not specifically focus on outdoor recreation, however the walking and cycling facilities developed through this programme provide a valuable and accessible resource for recreational users, as well as commuters.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding as follows:
Funding of up to 90% of the total approved project costs is awarded, with the additional 10% to be provided from other sources.