Louth Local Development secured €10,000 in Walks Scheme Grant funding

Louth Local Development has secured €10,000 of Walks Scheme Grant funding, from the Department of Rural and Community Development. 

An Ecological Assessment will be conducted on sections of Walks Scheme approved trails, located within Carlingford Mountains SAC “Special Area of Conservation” protected area; which form part of the Táin Way; The Slieve Foy Loop; The Commons Loop and The Barnavave Loop, on lands located in both Private Individual and Commonage (Glenmore and Commons Commonage) ownership. This will be covered in the Assessment and the final report will be delivered to Louth Local Development by the end of 2023. 

The outcomes of this report will aid the Trail Management Organisation and the Rural Recreation Officer (RRO) in guiding best practice and statutory requirements for future Trail Management, Trail Maintenance, Planning and Monitoring decisions as well as future funding parameters of the trails located within this EU Habitat protected area.  

The RRO works closely with the Walks Scheme participants and the private landowners/farmers who continue to permit the General Public access to their lands on a permissive basis for the continued enjoyment and benefit of all.