21 December 2016
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Five angling development projects in Cork have been awarded funding to improve angling access in the area. The projects are some of 50 angling development projects across the country which will receive support from Inland Fisheries Ireland 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, will now be delivered in 2017. Applications for over 100 projects were received bringing the total value of projects looking for funding to above €2million.
Sean Kyne TD, Minister with responsibility for the Inland Fisheries Sector, said: “I would like to congratulate the community groups who have been awarded this funding. The projects receiving funding are located in 18 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 Inland Fisheries Ireland’s National Strategy for Angling Development. The Strategy 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.
Inland Fisheries Ireland 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.
In Cork, the following projects were selected to receive funding:
River Ilen, Skibbereen, Co Cork – River Ilen Development Project for Recreational and Tourist Angling (€2, 750) by River Ilen Anglers Club. This project will improve angling access and infrastructure at the River Ilen, a local and tourist angling destination. This will include the provision of parking, benches, styles, picnic benches as well as weed control work.
Bandon River, Co Cork – Opening Access on the Bandon River (€3,770) by Bandon Angling Association. This includes the installation of two steel footbridges with handrails to open access along a stretch of the river for angling. One will be placed at Deasy’s Turn while the other will be at Holland’s Flat.
Glenbeg Lake, Ardgroom, Beara, Co Cork – Glenbeg Lake Angling Access (€12,000) by Beara Trout Anglers. Improving angling access around Glenbeg Lake to include information signage, safety stiles and pedestrian bridges.
Tibbotstown Carrigtwohill, Co Cork – Angling access and storage at Tibbotstown Reservoir (€19,042) by Glanmire & District Salmon & Trout Anglers Association. This project will deliver car parking and a storage hut for angling equipment at Tibbotstown Reservoir. This will help provide an excellent angling amenity for the community and visitors to the area.
Kilbarry, Co Cork – River Blackwater Access Improvement (€25,969) by Kilbarry Salmon Trout Anglers. Angling access improvement works on the River
Blackwater. The project involves construction of timber styles, regrading and orientation of access to fishery, creation of steps, stairways and handrails, regrading of stone wall at water’s edge, pruning of overhanging vegetation, provision of new fishing hut for dining and resting, timber fencing and car parking.
Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development at Inland Fisheries Ireland 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 which includes projects in Cork. 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.
Inland Fisheries Ireland 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.”
Inland Fisheries Ireland received 90 ‘Expressions of Interest’ across 21 counties in addition to the applications received for the Capital Works Fund. Feedback has been given to those who completed ‘Expressions of Interest’ and potential has been identified across a number of projects. It is anticipated that Inland Fisheries Ireland will have further funding for projects in this area in the New Year.
