Longford Community Resources

Rural Recreation Development Programme
LCRL is proud to deliver the Rural Recreation Development Programme on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development. This programme involves the management and maintenance of some of our most valuable recreational facilities, including long distance walking trails and looped walks. The programme also involves the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy and includes objectives to develop, maintain and promote recreational facilities in the countryside, to secure funding for development projects to enhance our recreational tourism product and to promote our rural tourism resources for the benefit of the local economy.

 

The Walks Scheme
The Rural Recreation Development Programme includes the administration of the Walks Scheme, whereby local landowners and farmers agree to carry out essential maintenance of the trails for a bi-monthly payment. The Walks Scheme was launched nationally in 2008 and has resulted in significant improvements in the quality of our walking trails, with increased enjoyment for trail users and benefit for local businesses as tourism increases in these rural areas. While County Longford does not currently have a trail on the walk scheme, LCRL and their RRO (Rural Recreation Officer) are actively working to develop trails that will meet the required criteria to be added to the walk scheme, and in return reap the benefits of the scheme.

 

Rural Tourism Marketing
Since a strong focus of the Rural Recreation Programme in County Longford is to support our local economy, the promotion of our rural resources for their tourism potential is an important part of our work. LCRL work closely with Longford County Council and Fáilte Ireland to develop and deliver initiatives to promote the county. While County Longford does not have a designated Rural Recreation Officer, the position is shared with County Roscommon, based in Roscommon Integrated Development Company.

 

For more information, please contact Ronan Bilbow on 086-7713550 or rro@ridc.ie