Development Group in Offaly celebrate major boost from EU funding

THE Kinnitty Development Group is celebrating a significant milestone this week after being awarded a key tranche of funding under the EU Just Transition Fund.

The funding will enable the completion of trailhead facilities for walkers, road cyclists, and mountain bikers in the heart of Kinnitty village, supporting the growing popularity of the Slieve Bloom Mountain Biking trails.

Failte Ireland announced last week that Kinnitty would receive €53,436 in funding for the project. It is one of 18 projects, worth over €2.3 million, that have been awarded funding under its Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs, which is part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.

CEO of Fáilte Ireland, Paul Kelly said: “The 18 projects announced today are a further testament to the transformative impact of the EU Just Transition Fund and Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme.

“This €2.3 million in investment being announced today will further help to enhance the appeal of destinations across Ireland's Ancient East and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands by creating new opportunities and driving sustainable growth which will benefit local communities, businesses and visitors.”

Founded in 2020 by a dedicated group of local volunteers, the Kinnitty Development Group has worked tirelessly to revitalise the village and harness the full tourism potential of the nearby trails. Their vision is now becoming a reality, thanks in part to previous support from the Offaly Local Development Company LEADER programme, which helped transform a derelict building which was formerly the village’s first primary school into a restored community hub with accessible showers and toilets.

With this new round of funding, the second phase of the project will now move forward. Plans include developing a visitor information point, meeting space for local groups, secure bike parking, self-entry showers, lockers, lighting, and improved signage. These facilities will serve not just as a trailhead for outdoor enthusiasts but also as a vibrant welcome centre for tourists, highlighting local heritage, events and produce.

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Chris Byrne from the Kinnitty Development Group’s Committee, welcomed the news with enthusiasm, stating: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this support under the EU Just Transition Fund. It allows us to complete a vision that began several years ago, to create a welcoming, functional, and community-focused space at the heart of Kinnitty. This facility will serve both visitors and locals, acting as a launchpad for outdoor adventure while also showcasing all that our beautiful area has to offer.”

John Carroll, Chairman Kinnitty Development Group, said it is intended that the completed facility will be a catalyst for further regeneration, tourism, and economic growth in the village. The newly developed space is expected to act as a focal point for festivals, farmers markets, and other community-led events, while helping to attract investment into derelict properties and new business ventures.

Áine Whelan, speaking on behalf of the Kinnitty Development Group, warmly welcomed the announcement and emphasised the importance of inclusivity in the village’s tourism offering. “The Kinnitty Trailhead Centre will feature accessible shower facilities, and an exhibition space, ensuring that all visitors regardless of ability can enjoy the rich experiences the Slieve Blooms and Kinnitty have to offer. We are also working in partnership with Noel Joyce of Adaptive Mountain Bike Ireland with plans to provide secure storage for adaptive mountain bikes onsite. The centre’s proximity to the mountain bike trails that accommodate adaptive riders is central to our vision of making Kinnitty a truly inclusive and welcoming destination for everyone.”

The mountain biking trails in the Slieve Bloom Mountains have already drawn significant interest, and the addition of comprehensive trailhead amenities will further enhance the area’s reputation as a premier destination for eco-tourism and outdoor recreation.

Jonathan O’Meara, who operates the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Centre in Kinnitty, offering mountain bike rentals and guided mountain bike tours across the Slieve Bloom region, also praised the funding announcement. “This is a massive step forward for Kinnitty. The demand for mountain biking and outdoor experiences in the Slieve Blooms and across Offaly has grown hugely, and having proper facilities in the village will enhance the experience for visitors and make it easier for local businesses like mine to grow. It’s great to see real investment that connects tourism with the community.”

The Development Group hope the project will not only support visitors but will also stimulate broader regeneration by attracting investment into unused buildings, creating new businesses, and making the village more attractive as a place to live, work and explore.

Further details of the walking and mountain biking trails can be found on www.slievebloom.ie

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Welcoming the news, Fine Gael TD for Offaly, John Clendennen said “the funding will support the enhancement of the Kinnitty Trailhead Centre, with a focus on improving visitor amenities. The planned upgrades include 24/7 accessible showers, secure bike parking, visitor information area and meeting space for local groups and community events.”

Deputy Clendennen said: “This is another boost for Kinnitty and the wider Slieve Bloom area and these upgrades will strengthen Kinnitty’s role as a hub for outdoor recreation and rural tourism while providing real value for both local residents and visiting tourists. I want to commend the Kinnitty Development Group for their work in bringing this project forward.

“This funding is about delivering infrastructure, but also creating economic opportunity, and making our rural towns and villages destinations in their own right,” Clendennen added. “We have made great progress in developing the Slieve Blooms as a national destination for recreational activity with a multi-million euro investment in recent years, and this investment will further enhance the offering.”

Deputy Clendennen concluded, “Offaly’s natural assets, like the Slieve Bloom Mountains, are among the best in the country. Continued investment through schemes like this will ensure we can protect these assets while welcoming more visitors to explore and enjoy them.”

Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has warmly congratulated the management committee of the Kinnitty Trailhead Centre

“This award is testament to the hard work and sheer dedication of the Kinnitty Centre’s entire management and application committee, and I want to commend them on this fantastic result,” said Deputy Nolan.

“As I understand it the €53,000 in funding will allow for the for the completion of the Trailhead Centre including self-access hot showers, changing areas, installation exploring local art and history along with an executive meeting room and exhibition space.

“This is an enormously proud moment, and the kind of development that we urgently need to see more of here in Offaly and indeed right across the midlands region.

“It is now possible for the Kinnitty Trailhead Centre to go from strength to strength. I wish all of the team and indeed all of the visitors to this wonderful resource every possible success,” concluded Deputy Nolan.

Offaly Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack, a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Tourism, welcomed the funding as a clear sign of what can be achieved when local initiative meets national support.

“Kinnitty is showing the way for rural tourism in Offaly and across the Midlands,” Deputy McCormack said. “With the right investment and vision, communities like this can unlock enormous potential. The Slieve Bloom Mountains are central to that future.”

He praised the work of the Kinnitty Development Group in securing the funding and driving the project forward.

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“This is a great example of community-led development, and I commend the group for their persistence and leadership. As someone who is deeply involved in national tourism policy, I believe projects like this are exactly what Just Transition funding was designed to support — practical, people-focused, and forward-looking.”

With demand growing for walking, cycling, and outdoor experiences, the Slieve Bloom region is increasingly seen as one of the country’s hidden gems. This investment is expected to further cement its place on Ireland’s tourism map — and place Kinnitty at the heart of that story.