€30,000 capital investment announced for scenic wood in Kildare

Kildare South Fine Gael TD and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has welcomed the announcement of €30,000 in capital funding for Mullaghreelan Wood together with other nature trails in Kildare which are set to benefit from additional funding for maintenance works.

Minister Heydon was speaking following the announcement that the Department of Rural and Community Development has allocated €30,000 in funding which is designated for trail surface improvement works in Mullaghreelan Wood, a scenic wood overlooking Kilkea Castle, that is much loved by many local families.

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Minister Heydon said: “As part of this latest round of funding announced by the Department of Rural and Community Development, several of our wooded amenities in Kildare are in line for general improvement works, including Donadea Forest Park, Killinthomas, Moore Abbey, Mullaghreelan and Rahin.”

“Our nature trails and parks are a source of huge pride in Kildare and bring so much enjoyment, not to just the people who live here, but they attract visitors to our area. This additional funding will go a long way towards ensuring facilities are of the highest standard..”

€4m funding has been announced from the Department of Community, Rural and the Gaeltacht, as part of its’ strategic partnership with Coillte.

The investment in 2025 includes €2m to support ongoing maintenance of over 160 recreational sites across the country and €600,000 to support the development of new recreation amenities.

In addition to supporting the development of new infrastructure projects and the maintenance of existing trails on Coillte lands, this year an additional €1.4m is being provided towards the ongoing cost of repairing storm damaged trails. 

Concluding, Minister Heydon said: “This partnership with Coillte is a key part of supporting outdoor recreation in Kildare. It helps ensure Coillte sites can welcome thousands of visitors each year with top-quality trails and facilities, whilst supporting the continued development of outdoor recreation in Ireland.”