Cross border greenways in development

A new cross-border greenway linking Enniskillen and Cavan, alongside continued investment in the Ulster Canal Greenway in Monaghan, were among the key developments highlighted as Cavan hosted the third annual National Outdoor Recreation Conference last week.

The conference, organised by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) and Comhairle na Tuaithe, brought together government officials, local authorities and outdoor recreation stakeholders to review progress on Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the national strategy 2023-2027, as well as to discuss future investment in the sector.

A major focus of the conference at the Slieve Russell Hotel, opened by Minister Dara Calleary, was the continued expansion of cross-border greenway infrastructure.

Officials from the Department of Transport outlined five shortlisted cross-border greenway routes under consideration, including a proposed 31km Enniskillen-to-Cavan greenway.

Monaghan also featured strongly, with work continuing on the Ulster Canal Greenway. Site clearance works are progressing on the section between Monaghan Town and the Border, while €3M has been allocated through Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s 2026 programme for the route.

In addition, a new €2M Shared Island Greenways Development Fund will support further cross-border projects during 2026 and 2027.

The conference further saw presentations including one that highlighted the success of the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, which spans parts of Cavan and Fermanagh. Delegates heard how the geopark now boasts more than 300 kilometres of trails, attracts over 930,000 visitors and has secured more than €19M in external funding over the past four years. The geopark also supports 40 accredited guides and 42 accredited sustainable tourism businesses.

Another presentation showcased the development of the Mullagh Biodiversity Walk in East Cavan, tracing the community-led project’s journey from initial proposals in 2017 through LEADER funding to now being a prime example of how local partnerships can successfully deliver accessible outdoor recreation while still promoting biodiversity.

Delegates also heard about the Outscape - Walking for All programme. This is a cross-border initiative running until the end of 2028, which has already engaged more than 14,000 participants through some 600 walking groups supported by around 2,400 trained walk leaders.

The conference reinforced the Government’s commitment to delivering outdoor recreation infrastructure through coordinated county planning. Each local authority is being supported to prepare a five-year County Outdoor Recreation Plan, with up to €30,000 available per county to develop strategies aligned with national objectives.

These plans will guide the development of outdoor recreation in each county over the next five years and County Outdoor Recreation Committees are being established to deliver these plans.

The plans will help guide future investment under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), which has contributed funding of over €154M to more than 2,060 outdoor amenities across the country since it was established.