#Angling - Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has awarded 50 angling development projects with funding to the value of €500,000 in total as part of its Capital Works Fund.
The projects, which focus on improving angling access and infrastructure, are set to be delivered in 2017.
In total, applications for over 100 projects were received bringing the overall value of projects looking for funding to above €2 million.
Seán Kyne, Minister of State for Natural Resources, said: “I would like to congratulate the community groups who have been awarded this funding.
“The projects receiving funding are located in 19 counties across the country. They include the provision of angling boats and trailers to allow for improved access for education/youth initiatives and tourist anglers, upgrades to access roads and car parks at angling sites, construction of new fishing stands, styles and footbridges and the provision of informational signage.”
The Capital Works Fund was announced in October 2016 with local groups and individuals including local development associations, tidy towns, angling clubs and others invited to apply for funding.
The scheme is part of IFI’s National Strategy for Angling Development, which aims to ensure that Ireland’s fish stocks and angling infrastructure are protected and enhanced with a view to ensuring a sustainable habitat and delivering the economic, health and recreational benefits they offer to communities across Ireland.
IFI says it is aiming to grow the angling sector’s socio-economic contribution of €836 million per year by an additional €60 million annually through the strategy.
This will be achieved by driving angling participation among domestic and overseas visitors, which in turn is supported by improving access to fishing and developing angling infrastructure.
Suzanne Campion, IFI head of business development, said: “The Capital Works Fund has been overwhelmed by strong project applications and following a considered review process, we are delighted to announce the 50 projects which have secured support.
“The demand for improvements in angling access and development is evident. Rural communities across Ireland are engaged with angling and recognise the value of the fisheries resource to their local area.”
Campion added that IFI “has worked closely with angling clubs, individuals, community groups and chambers of commerce to inform them about the fund and the overall National Strategy for Angling Development.
“We hope to empower these stakeholders to improve access to angling in their areas and as a result deliver long term recreational and economic benefit to their communities.”
IFI received 90 expressions of interest across 21 counties in addition to the applications received for the Capital Works Fund, and it is expected that further funding for projects will be made in this area in the New Year.
The projects receiving funding under the Capital Works Fund 2016 are:
Cavan
- Hollybank Lake, Co. Cavan – Access Road and Car Park Improvements (€16,920) by Cavan County Council
- Lough Sheelin, Co. Cavan – Safety Measures Project (€3,618) by Cavan Cavan Council
- Bun Lough, Belturbet, Co. Cavan – Bun Lake Car Park and Access Road Improvements (€14,913) by Cavan County Council
- Putiaghan Lough, Belturbet, Co. Cavan – Lay-By Upgrade (€9,112) by Cavan County Council
- Nadreegeel Lough, Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan – Site Clearance, Car Park Improvement and Signage Development (€16,500) by Cavan County Council
Clare
- Swan Island, Lough Bridget – Swan Island Lough Bridget Upgrade of Angling Facilities (€10,000) by Tulla and District Coarse Angling Association
Cork
- River Ilen, Skibbereen – River Ilen Development Project for Recreational and Tourist Angling (€2, 750) by River Ilen Anglers Club
- Bandon River – Opening Access on the Bandon River (€3,770) by Bandon Angling Association
- Glenbeg Lake, Ardgroom, Beara – Glenbeg Lake Angling Access (€12,000) by Beara Trout Anglers
- Tibbotstown Carrigtwohill – Angling access and storage at Tibbotstown Reservoir (€19,042) by Glanmire & District Salmon & Trout Anglers Association
- Kilbarry – River Blackwater Access Improvement (€25,969) by Kilbarry Salmon Trout Anglers
Donegal
- Sessiagh Lough – Sessiagh Lough Boat Replacement (€6,000) by Dunfanaghy Angling Association
- Lough Keel – Lough Keel Car Park and Access Improvement (€1,050) by Letterkenny & District Anglers Association
- Lough na Toohey, Creeslough - Creeslough Development Plan. Lough na Toohey Angling Access Work (€3,500) by Creeslough & District Angling Association
- Crana River and Fullerton Pollen Dam Fisheries, Buncrana - Buncrana Anglers Fisheries Development Plan (€25,850) by Buncrana Anglers Association
Galway
- Clare River – Clare River Angling Access Developments (€14,720) by Cairde na Chlair
- Greenfield, Headford – Greenfield, Headford Access (€7,533) by Headford and Corrib Angling Club
- Clare River, Cregmore – Cregmore Galway River Clare Angling Access Improvements (€9,599) by Cregmore Athenry Anglers
- Owenriff River, Oughterard – Owenriff River Resurfacing of Road and Carpark Facility (€14,980) by Oughterard Anglers and Boatmen’s Association
- Owenglin River, Clifden Glen – Owenglin River Walkway Upgrade (€700) by Clifden Trout Anglers Association
- Corr Na Mona Pier Lough Corrib – Lough Corrib Disabled Hoist (€4,500) by Corr na Mona and District Anglers
Kerry
- River Feale, Listowel – Listowel Town Access Enhancement (€40,000) by Kerry County Council
- River Feale, Scartleigh – River Feale Angling Access (€2,500) by Killocrim Finuge Fishing Club
- Cloonaughlin Lake, Waterville - Cloonaughlin Lake Waterville Access Road Repair (€4,900), by Waterville Lakes and Rivers Trust
- River Lee, Tralee – River Lee Selective Pruning (€10,750) by Karen Griffin, Inland Fisheries Ireland
Kildare - Blackhall, Clane – River Liffey Angling Styles (€1,873) by Dublin Trout Anglers
Kilkenny
- River Nore, Threecastles, Freshford Road – River Nore Angling Access (€2,080) by Kilkenny City & County Anglers, the Rock Bar
Laois
- Mountmelick – Improving access at Owenass River (€11,988) by Mountmellick Angling and Conservation Club
Leitrim
- Lareen and Rosfriar Town, Kinlough – Drowns Fisheries Angling Walkways (€10,000) by Drownes Salmon Fishery
- Lough Allen – Herns Shore Lough Allen Improved Access Road (€4,600) by Carrick on Shannon Angling Festival
- Bonet River, Community Park – Upgrading fencing and improving access to local angling community at Bonet River (€8,000) by Dromahair Anglers Association
- Lough Rowan, Lauragh, Fenagh – Lough Allen angling access road upgrade and stiles (€6,000) by Rinn Shannon and District Angling Club
- Lough Allen – Lough Allen Angling Access Road Upgrade and Stiles (€3,600) by Sheemore Angling Club
Mayo
- Curragh Car Park, near Foxford – River Moy Curragh Car Park Upgrade (€15,516) by Knockmore Salmon Anglers
- River Moy, Bohola/Straide – River Moy Angling Access (€4,269) by East Mayo Anglers Association
- River Moy, Foxford – Accessible Angling on River Moy (€10,000) by East Mayo Anglers Association
Meath
- Mentrim Lake, Aclare – Mentrim Lake Improved Angling Access (€10,500) by Mentrim & District Anglers Community Organisation
Monaghan
- Lough More Greagh Emyvale – Lough More Enabling Easier Angling Access (€450)by Lough More and Blackwater Anglers Association
- Bairds Shore and Kilroosky, Clones – Bairds Shore Access Road and Kilroosky Parking Area (€20,364) by Monaghan County Council
Offaly
- River Brosna – Little Brosna Angling Access Works (€980), by Roscrea and District Anglers Club
Roscommon
- Castlecoote Village – Stoneham’s (Linn Ban) Lake Angling Access Infrastructure Development (€28,148) by Suck Valley Development Co-Operative Society Ltd
- Emlaghroyan – Corcoran’s Access Path to Angling Pegs (€7,945) by Suck Valley Development Co-Operative Society Ltd
Sligo
- River Easkey, Dromore – River Easkey Development Project (€10,000) by River Easkey Angling Association
- Stephen Street Car Park – Angling Access to Garavogue River, Sligo (€35,450) by Sligo County Council / Sligo BID Co/ Garavogue Salmon Festival Group
- Glencor Lake – Sligo Anglers Fisheries Angling Boat and Transportation Trailer (€5,400) by Sligo Anglers Association Fisheries
Tipperary
- River Suir, North Bank between Clonmel and Carrick on Suir – River Suir Angling Access Improvements (€10,000) by Tipperary County Council
- River Suir, Killsheelan – River Suir Kilsheelin – Angling Access Project (€5,360) by Clonmel & District And Trout Association
Waterford
- Carrigvantry and Knockaderry Reservoirs – Angling Access (€4,000) by Waterford City and County Trout Anglers Association
- Belle Lake – Belle Lake Disinfectant Station and Boat Project (€1,100) by Belle Lake Pike Angling Club
Wexford
- Ballygeary, Rosslare Harbour – Rosslare Harbour Lagoon Development (€4,698) by Community Development Group
