A new three-year pilot Upland Recreation Scheme will provide annual funding exceeding €100,000 to support more than 50 landowners in managing recreational access in the MacGillycuddy Reeks.
The initiative resembles the existing Walks Scheme and marks the first of its kind in Ireland with payments to farmers and private landowners who follow agreed work programmes for path maintenance and public guidance. Additional support has been confirmed for the Helping the Hills network to enhance upland path management capacity over two years with €90,000 allocated for the initial year.
The core aspects include the three-year pilot scheme in the MacGillycuddy Reeks, funding over €100,000 yearly for landowner participation, involvement of more than 50 landowners, rewards for path maintenance and visitor assistance, and separate funding of €90,000 for the Helping the Hills programme.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary shared “This pilot scheme is a crucial step in creating a more sustainable future for visitor access to the MacGillycuddy Reeks”.
Stewart Stephens Chairperson of the MacGillycuddy Reeks Stakeholders Forum shared “The Upland Recreation Scheme is a major development in sustainable access to mountain areas, much of which are privately owned”.
Minister Dara Calleary shared “I am also happy to provide €90,000 in funding for the first year of a two-year programme to support the ‘Helping the Hills’ network”.
