Minister Calleary announces five year partnership with Bord na Móna to support recreation trails in five counties
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today (Monday, 11th August 2025) announced details of €350,000 funding that his department will be providing as part of a new five-year strategic partnership with BnM (formerly known as Bord na Móna) designed to support and maintain new trail facilities being developed on lands across five counties: Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary and Westmeath.
Announcing the funding, Minister Calleary said:
In recognition of the significant investment already being undertaken through the EU Just Transition Fund to create a midlands trail network across BnM’s landbank, my department is entering into a five year strategic partnership with BnM to support the ongoing maintenance of these new trails. The funding will also support a number of trails within the Lough Boora Discovery Park.
The new trail network, developed under the Just Transition Fund, opens up wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities. This unique opportunity is coming to life through BnM’s network of railways, bridges, bog roads and off-road trails and waterways.
New landscapes and habitats, previously inaccessible to recreational users, will be open to be explored for cyclists and walkers alike.
Significant EU and exchequer funds have been invested in this trail network and it is important that the trails are maintained to a high standard in years to come.
In order to protect this investment, my department, is happy to partner with BnM to support and maintain these facilities for future generations
BnM CEO Tom Donnellan said:
BnM is working with our landbank, strategic partners and local communities to develop our renewable energy infrastructure and deliver on Ireland’s net zero ambition.
BnM’s partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht is part of our commitment to create long-term social and environmental value for communities in the Midlands in addition to safeguarding Ireland’s renewable energy supply.
These new amenities will contribute to the ongoing revitalisation of the Midlands, alongside BnM’s Eco Energy Park and Renewable Energy projects and I want thank Minister Calleary and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for their support
Minister Calleary concluded by saying:
In line with Our Programme for Government and my Department’s policy ‘Our Rural Future’ I am committed to providing supports to our communities both urban and rural. Supports that will enable them to become inclusive, resilient and sustainable places in which to live and raise a family, to visit and to socialise.
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of community groups in preparing and submitting applications under the Community Recognition Fund. Through your care and passion for your communities, real change is happening, and community infrastructure is being improved and developed like never before. Working together we are building the communities of the future.
Today’s announcement is a key contributor to the implementation of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 – 2027 which is set to strengthen and support the sustainable development of outdoor recreation in the coming years.
As part of the EU Just Transition Fund, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, Fáilte Ireland will deliver the Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme for Ireland’s Midlands 2023-2026. This scheme will invest in the sustainable development of tourism in the Midlands with the aim of diversifying the regional economy by creating jobs, supporting habitats and biodiversity and sustaining communities, and it will be delivered through a series of funding programmes.
One of the programmes is the Trail Network Development Scheme under which BnM have been approved for €30m of funding to support the development of 51km of a midland trail network of universally accessible walking and cycling trails across BnM lands in five counties, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary and Westmeath. The scheme includes trail development on suitable BnM lands, predominantly on former rail beds and bog headlands that were previously used for peat extraction and will include new developments as well as upgrades to existing trails to significantly improve the user experience.
BnM has operated in Ireland for over 90 years and has undergone transformative change to become a leading renewable energy provider supporting Ireland’s journey to net zero by delivering secure, renewable energy for Ireland.
We are working with our landbank, strategic partners and local communities to expand our renewable energy infrastructure with a 5GW renewable energy pipeline. Ireland has committed to generating 80% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and BnM is working across wind, solar, biomass and biogas to help achieve this target and to provide energy security for industrial growth and future generations.
Supporting communities across Ireland has been a priority for BnM since it was first established, and today we continue to support businesses and local communities not only by safeguarding renewable energy supply, but also through our dedicated programme of community initiatives including community benefit funds, amenities, business accelerator programmes and education supports.
For more information about BnM visit: bnm.ie
The Department of Rural and Community Development is now known as The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. Our Minister’s titles are Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD and Minister of State with Responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD. The above titles should be used when referring to the Department and Ministers going forward.
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