The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has launched the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) 2026/2027.
Monaghan County Council is administering this scheme, which is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG). We are now seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI’s) from community and local partnership groups. This scheme provides a valuable opportunity for communities to enhance local amenities, support tourism, and promote healthy outdoor activity.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme supports a wide range of outdoor recreation activities, including (but not limited to):
- Walking trails
- Canoeing and kayaking facilities
- Mountain biking trails
- Orienteering
- Wild swimming infrastructure
Projects should generally be located in rural areas. However, eligible projects may also include:
- Links from towns/villages to outdoor recreation sites
- River and lake-based amenities
- Water-based projects within town environs
| Measure | Description | Funding Available | Grant Rate |
| Measure 1 | Small-scale repair, development, promotion, and marketing | Up to €40,000 | 90% |
| Measure 2 | Medium-scale repair, upgrade, and new trail/amenity development | Up to €200,000 | 90% |
| Measure 3 | Large-scale repair/upgrade and new strategic trail/amenity development | Up to €500,000 | 90% |
| Project Development Measure | Detailed project development to bring proposals to a standard suitable for Measure 2 or 3 applications | Up to €100,000 | 90% |
Where a project requires planning permission, this must be in place in advance of an application being submitted.
All applicants submitting an Expression of Interest should familiarise themselves with the eligibility criteria. Further information and application forms are available here: Grant/Funding Streams
📞Early engagement is strongly encouraged.
Please contact Aisling Kierans, Community Development Section:
- Email: akierans@monaghancoco.ie
- Tel: 047 73707/73720
🗓️Expression of Interest Deadlines
| Measure 1 | 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 30th July 2026 |
| Measure 2 | 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 20th August 2026 |
| Measure 3 | 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 20th August 2026 |
| Project Development Measure | 4.00 p.m. on Thursday 30th July 2026 |
Monaghan County Council is permitted to submit a limited number of applications to DRCDG, EoI’s will be initially evaluated based on the information submitted on the application form against the relevant project assessment criteria outlined in the 2026/2027 Scheme Outline.
All Expressions of Interest (EOI’s) must be submitted in WORD Format to oris@monaghancoco.ie by the relevant closing dates.
Expressions of Interest received after these dates and times will not be considered for the 2026/2027 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 2026/2027