Trail Network developments realised under the EU Just Transition Fund seek to give proof of concept to a longer-term ambition to develop a Midlands Trail Network, including connecting with established arterial routes such as the Royal and Grand Canal Greenways, The Old Rail Trail and the Dublin-Galway Greenway. The ambition for this connected trail network is to firmly establish the Midlands as a compelling destination for outdoor activities, supporting the creation of new jobs in ancillary and related activities e.g bike hire, hospitality services, visitor attractions and activities.

The main intervention under this scheme will be the development of universally accessible ‘rollable’ cycle trails on former industrial peatlands across public lands in EU Just Transition territory. This will include new trail developments as well as upgrades to existing trails to significantly improve the user experience.  All trail developments will be delivered in line with the principles of the Midlands Trail Network toolkit which at a minimum will link two hubs (towns, villages, visitor attractions etc.).

This intervention will be a key stimulus to encourage new investments and expansion by SMEs and community groups in the hinterland of the trail network developments.

Geographical area covered:

EU Just Transition Fund territory. This includes the entire counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, and municipal districts of Ballinasloe (Co. Galway), Athy and Clane-Maynooth (Co. Kildare), and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (Co. Tipperary).

Policy objective:

This call falls under the EU JTF programme Priority 1: Generating Employment for former peat communities by investing in the diversification of the local economy. The specific operation concerned is Action 1.1: Foster the economic diversification of the territory by supporting productive investments in micro-enterprises, SMEs and economic stakeholders in key sectors.

Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and European Union, the EU Just Transition Fund has a single specific objective, which is to enable regions and people to address the social employment, economic and environmental impacts of the transition towards the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate and a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050, based on the Paris Agreement.

Eligible Applicants:

Public Landowners in EU Just Transition Territory

Total amount of support:

Indicative amount for this programme is €30 million.

Call start and end dates:

Rolling call upon adoption of Implementation Plan by the Programme Monitoring Committee (31 July 2023). Strategic Partnership Agreement will be signed between Fáilte Ireland and the relevant Public Landowners.

Further information:

As this is a rolling call, announcements in relation to funding through Scheme A will be on the Fáilte Ireland website.

Go to Fáilte Ireland page