Limerick City and County Council invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) for funding from community groups who may have suitable projects for consideration under the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht’s Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 2026-2027.
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has announced funding of €20 million under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 2026-2027, to support the continued development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and the necessary repair, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in countryside areas. Minister Calleary’s press release can be accessed here.
The Scheme is funded under “Our Rural Future” which specifically prioritises the growing outdoor activity tourism sector as part of a long-term vision for a vibrant and sustainable rural Ireland.
In line with Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors – National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027, outdoor recreation is defined as activities that take place in the natural environment, such as walking, canoeing, mountain biking, orienteering and wild swimming. It does not include activities that take place outdoors on confined courses or pitches or motorised activities. Infrastructure funded under ORIS should be free of charge and accessible to the public, for the most part.
Projects typically funded by ORIS include walkways, cycleways, blueways, water and cycle trails, mountain access routes, bridleways and open water amenities at bogs, rivers, lakes and beaches, including tidal pools.
The additional information and documentation links provided in the Scheme Outline and on Limerick.ie should also be reviewed and considered as part of any EOI submission. Planning permission (if required) must be obtained in advance of any expression of interest progressing to application stage. Where an expression of interest notes that planning permission is not required, a Section 5 Declaration/confirmation from the Planning Authority shall be provided as supporting documentation.
All expressions of interest will be considered with regard to the criteria and recommendations detailed in the ORIS 2026-2027 Scheme Outline, with priority afforded to eligible projects that are consistent with Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors and align with one or more of the 6 interdependent strategic objectives within the Strategy.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are being sought for all Measures of ORIS 2026-2027. However, please note the later opening date for Measures 2 and 3 and separate closing dates for receipt of completed EOIs as detailed below;
Project Development Measure: Development costs for Outdoor Recreation Projects. This Measure will provide funding for the detailed development of projects, encompassing works such as detailed design, screenings, preparation for planning, procurement, appropriate assessment, ecological surveys etc… to enable projects to reach a shovel ready standard for a potential application under a future Measure 2 or 3 of ORIS.
A maximum of 4 expressions of interest can progress to application stage. The combined total of projects up to the maximum of 4 cannot exceed €100,000.
In addition, if sufficient interest and demand exist, 1 additional expression of interest, focussing specifically on equestrian trails/bridleways up to €50,000 can be progressed to application stage.
Measure 1: Small Scale Repair/Maintenance/Development/Promotion and Marketing. A maximum of 6 expressions of interest can progress to application stage, up to €40,000 per application
Please Note: Online Expression of Interest (EOI) forms for the Project Development Measure and Measure 1 are available now under the “Applications” tab on MyPoint - https://mypoint.limerick.ie/en/applications
Completed EOI forms for the Project Development Measure and Measure 1 must be submitted online with requested supporting documentation no later than 12 noon, Monday 10th August 2026
Measure 2: Medium Scale Repair/Maintenance/ Upgrade and New Trail/Amenity Development. A maximum of 3 expressions of interest can progress to application stage, up to €200,000 per application
Measure 3: Strategic Large-scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategic Trail/Amenity Development. A maximum of 1 expression of interest can progress to application stage, up to €500,000
Please Note: Online Expression of Interest (EOI) forms will be available under the “Applications” tab on MyPoint - https://mypoint.limerick.ie/en/applications from Monday 20th July 2026
Completed EOI forms must be submitted online with requested supporting documentation no later than 12 noon, Monday 21st September 2026
How to apply
All applicants must complete an online Expression of Interest form, for the relevant Measure, via this link.
- Please review the ORIS 2026-2027 Scheme Outline in full for all information in relation to planning permission, appropriate assessment screening, written consent requirements etc…, available to view here.
- In respect of Measures 1, 2 and 3, Planning Permission and Environmental Impact Assessment /Appropriate Assessment Screening (where required) must be in place for an EOI to be considered for shortlisting for onward submission of an application to the Department.
- It is essential that all expressions of interest submitted under ORIS are consistent with Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, available to view here.
- Expressions of interest submitted to Limerick City and County Council can only be for proposed projects, in rural areas, that are within the Limerick administrative area, in their entirety.
- All questions on the form must be answered and supporting documentation uploaded where requested.
- Please direct any queries to the Rural Development Department by email to oris@limerick.ie or by phone on 061-556008
It is important that Expressions of Interest submitted demonstrate that any proposed works will be carried out in line with best practice as per the guidelines and toolkits, provided by the Department, where relevant to the expression of interest being submitted.
- Trail Development |Sport Ireland, available here
- Recreational Horse Trails Criteria for Ireland here
- Blueways Ireland – Blueway Developers Toolkit, available here
- Helping the Hills Mountaineering Ireland, available here
- The Great Outdoors Resources – Accessibility | Active Disability Ireland, available here
- Leave No Trace Resources, available here
- Fáilte Ireland – Greenway Visitor Experience and Interpretation Toolkit, available here
- Nature-based Solutions to the Management of Rainwater and Surface Water Runoff in Urban Areas, available here
Closing Dates Will Be Strictly Adhered To
