The allocation of €500,000 for the extension of Youghal Eco-Boardwalk has been welcomed by Cork East Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice, David Stanton. Funding is being made available to Cork County Council under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 2018 operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
“Today’s funding announcement of €500,000 for the Eco-Boardwalk project is great news for Youghal. This will go towards phase 2 of the Eco-Boardwalk project which has a total cost of €1.25 million. Phase 2 involves the extension of the coastal walking route from Red Barn to Youghal town centre”, said Minister Stanton.
“The grant of €500,000 is the maximum amount available under Measure 3 of the Outdoor Recreation Scheme which focuses on the repair, upgrade or development of large strategic recreational infrastructure projects which aim to improve facilities for local communities and support local tourism. It is fully accessible to all and this extension will mean that there will be a continuous route from Claycastle to Youghal town.
“I would like to congratulate Cork County Council on all the work they have carried out to date on this project. The Eco-Boardwalk was opened in March 2012 and has been hugely successful. Despite damage during winter storms a few years ago, Cork County Council secured additional government funding of €300,000 for extensive repairs which allowed it to reopen after the temporary closure.
“Youghal Eco-Boardwalk has been a huge success since it opened proving very popular with local people and tourists. Youghal has experienced substantial government investment recently in historical projects such as the repairs to the town walls, St. Mary’s Collegiate Church and Youghal Clock Gate and outdoor recreational projects such as the visitor moorings, the pontoon and the slob bank walk. I am confident that the boardwalk extension, in addition to the planned Midleton to Youghal Greenway, will, once completed further enhance Youghal’s amenities and tourism product”, concluded Minister Stanton.