Inland Fisheries Ireland awarded half a million funding for development of rural angling projects
Inland Fisheries Ireland awarded half a million funding for development of rural angling projects
Investment in rural angling communities crucial to sector which attracts 273,000 domestic anglers and 163,000 overseas visitors who fished in 2015
Wednesday, 14th September 2016: Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured funding of €536,886 to develop key angling projects in rural areas. The investment will see development of new recreational facilities and the maintenance of existing angling infrastructure across eight significant projects. Inland Fisheries Ireland collaborated with county councils, chambers of commerce and other local community organisations in the development of these projects to proposal stage and will now continue to work closely with them through the implementation of the initiatives. The funding was awarded by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs as part of the Government’s programme to support rural development.
The package will see projects delivered in Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Cloone, Co. Leitrim, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Newscastle, Co. Tipperary, Carrick-On-Shannon and Donamon, Co. Roscommon, Kilconnell, Co. Galway, Gweebarra, Co. Donegal and Ballinalee, Co. Longford. It will invest in projects such as river bank restoration, a fishery recreation hub, access for coarse angling and fishing points (fishing stands, jetties, boat slips, car parking) which will allow for international match events and upgrade of existing disabled angling facility to include attractive, accessible lakeside and river bank walks.
The projects form part of the National Strategy for Angling Development (NSAD), the comprehensive national framework for the development of Ireland’s angling resource. The NSAD, developed by Inland Fisheries Ireland in consultation with stakeholders, will deliver a wide-ranging set of investments, innovations and promotions over the coming five years. This will ensure that Ireland’s fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced for both their economic value and recreational benefit to the communities and visitors they serve across Ireland.
Inland Fisheries Ireland says the investment in rural angling is crucial in order to realise the benefits which can accrue from the natural fisheries resource. In 2015, Ireland attracted 163,000 overseas visitors who fished with a further 273,000 domestic anglers in the country. The sector contributes €836 million to the Irish economy and supports over 11,000 jobs, often in rural and peripheral communities. Effective and sustainable implementation of the NSAD will ensure stability of existing jobs and businesses reliant on angling, and the creation of new jobs as the economic impact of angling grows.
Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Inland Fisheries Ireland is delighted to secure this funding for the development of projects which will play an important role in creating a world class fisheries resource which will have significant benefits for rural communities. The fisheries resource in Ireland is extensive and investment is vital to ensure its ongoing protection, conservation and development.
I would like to thank the communities involved for their commitment to the proposed projects to date. We look forward to working closely with these communities and local representative groups as we grow their unique angling offering.”
Inland Fisheries Ireland has been awarded funding for the following projects:
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Project and Location
|
Project Description | Amount Approved |
|
Improved access on Sli na Finne Gweebarra River, Doochary, Co. Donegal
|
Extension of designated wheelchair accessible path for anglers and trail walkers along the Gweebarra river/ valley. | €31,450.00 |
|
Facilitate angling on Bothar na Naomh Heritage & Nature Trail Annaghmaconway Lough, Cloone, Co. Leitrim |
Extension of existing nature trail to facilitate access for coarse angling and kayaking along with a number of fishing points plus extension of current walking trail. | €113,659.59 |
|
Maintenance of Angling Facilities at ‘The Meadows’ Athlone, Co. Westmeath |
Improve existing infrastructure in place to support river bank angling for major international match events. | €73,000.00 |
|
Accessible Angling at Suck Valley Way West Roscommon and East Galway adjacent to Donamon and Kilconnell |
Provide a new match angling stretch to provide a further space for international competitions close to the current wheelchair facility. | €89,230.00 |
|
Development at Lough Nanannagh Knock Road, Claremorris, Co. Mayo |
To develop Lough Nanannagh as a Stocked Trout Fishery aimed at providing an ideal location for young people and novice anglers to try the pursuit. A recreation hub will be included incorporating an accessible walk around the lake and upgrade of building to include canteen and toilet facilities. | €85,346.90 |
|
Improve access at Curry Grange Lake Edgeworthstown Road, Ballinalee, Co. Longford |
Provision of a boat jetty to improve access and provision of fencing to allow access to the lakeshore for anglers while also protecting the land and livestock. | €29,100.00 |
|
Upgrade of facilities at The Mudflats Elphin Road, Carrick On Shannon, Co. Roscommon |
Upgrade of existing mudflats angling location to include provision of floating fish stands for angling, upgrade of facilities including toilets, roadway, carpark areas, signage and fencing. | €103,100.00 |
|
River Bank restoration to a tributary of the Suir River/Graveyard Wall at Newcastle, Co. Tipperary |
Restoration of a stone wall that is adjacent to a loop walk along a tributary of the River Suir and is currently in danger of collapse into the river. | €12,000.00 |
ENDS
For media information:
Órla Sheils
Communications Manager
Inland Fisheries Ireland
E: orla.sheils@fisheriesireland.ie
T: (01) 8842673
About Inland Fisheries Ireland
Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. IFI promotes, supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. IFI also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same.
Notes to Editor
Angling Participation Statistics:
According to Fáilte Ireland, there were 163,000 overseas visitors who participated in angling in Ireland in 2015
(Ref: http://www.failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/media/WebsiteStructure/Documents/3_Research_Insights/3_General_SurveysReports/Tourism-Facts-2015-Preliminary.pdf?ext=.pdf )
There were approx. 40,600 visits taken by anglers from Northern Ireland to the South of Ireland in 2012
(Ref: http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/media/tdistudyonrecreationalangling.pdf)
