Two Westmeath sites to recieve funding following Coillte Investment
Over €3 million investment has been allocated to Coillte recreational sites.
The money is to go to a whopping 224 sites across the country including two in Westmeath.
The funding comes in the final year of a 5 strategic partnership that has seen over €16 million invested in Coillte recreation sites.
The two Westmeath sites are Kilpatrick and Mullaghmeen.
Kilpatrick will receive funding for routine upkeep of paths and signage. Mullaghmeen for routine maintenance within the forest recreation area.
The funding was announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Celleary TD.
“2026 marks the final year of my department's current 5-year strategic partnership with Coillte.
“Over the last 5 years, funding of over €16 million has been provided to support and maintain Coillte’s wonderful recreation forests and amenities around the country.
“This is an addition to investment in these sites through programmes such as the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme,” explained the Minister.
“As well as being used to maintain and develop Coillte’s trail network and recreation amenities, this funding has also supported Coillte’s engagement with local communities and recreation groups right across the country.
“These forests are great assets that visitors and local communities enjoy on a daily basis and they are a hugely important element of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland.
“Our investment in 2026 includes €2m to facilitate ongoing maintenance and associated support at over 200 recreational sites across the country.
“In addition, €1.1m is being provided to support the development of new recreation amenities and upgrades of existing facilities at 20 sites nationwide,” explained the Minister.
Imelda Hurley, the CEO of Coilte welcomed the investment.
“We continue to see strong growth in visitor numbers year-on-year across our most popular recreation forests, demonstrating just how valued these amenity forests are by communities throughout Ireland.
“This €3.13 million investment from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG), is critical to ensuring we can continue to develop and enhance these important recreation sites nationwide, and in doing so support rural economic development, and provide high-quality, accessible spaces for people to enjoy.
“The DRCDG is a key, long-term strategic partner of Coillte and I’d like to thank Minister Dara Calleary and his officials at the Department for their ongoing support.
“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the DRCDG to develop the next strategic programme from 2027 onwards and to supporting even more people in enjoying the many benefits of our forests nationwide.”