- €500,000 for eight projects
- Sector attracts 273,000 domestic anglers
- Sector attracts 163,000 overseas visitors
The Department of Rural Affairs has awarded €500,000 funding to Inland Fisheries Ireland for development of rural angling to eight projects in Athlone, Ballinalee, Co Longford, Carrick-On-Shannon, Claremorris, Cloone, Co Leitrim, Donamon, Co Roscommon & Kilconnell, Co Galway (joint), Gweebarra, Co Donegal and Newcastle, Co Tipperary.
The investment will see development of new recreational facilities and the maintenance of existing angling infrastructure 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.
IInland 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 as part of the Government’s programme to support rural development.
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 €836m 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.
According to Fáilte Ireland, there were 163,000 overseas visitors who participated in angling in Ireland in 2015 (see research)
The projects:
- Athone 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
- Ballinalee, Co Longford Improve access at Curry Grange Lake, Edgeworthstown Road, 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
- Carrick On Shannon Upgrade of facilities at The Mudflats, Elphin Road, 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
- Claremorris, Co Mayo, development at Lough Nanannagh, Knock Road, 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
- Cloone, Co Leitrim. Facilitate angling on Bothar na Naomh Heritage & Nature Trail Annaghmaconway Lough, 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
- Donamon and Kilconnell: Accessible Angling at Suck Valley Way, West Roscommon and East Galway, Provide a new match angling stretch to provide a further space for international competitions close to the current wheelchair facility. €89,230.00
- Doochary, Co Donegal, Improved access on Sli na Finne Gweebarra River, Extension of designated wheelchair accessible path for anglers and trail walkers along the Gweebarra river/ valley.€31,450.00
- Newcastle, Co Tipperary, River Bank restoration to a tributary of the Suir, River/Graveyard Wall at , 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
Inland Fisheries Ireland’s principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling.
Ciaran Byrne, CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “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.”
