Rural Recreation Officer
The role of the Rural Recreation Officer (RRO) is to coordinate and oversee the management and enhancement of trails, and to promote outdoor recreation activities across the county.
The RRO is responsible for carrying out the National Outdoor Recreation strategy, overseeing work on the general upkeep of trails, and assisting Fáilte Ireland in the development and promotion of key trails and walking destinations.
The RRO assists local communities in developing new routes and works closely with landowners, tourists, and other stakeholders to promote strong relationships and address any concerns. They also manage maintenance plans, conduct trail inspections, and administer recreation program claims, materials, and funding.
The RRO's Role
The responsibilities of the rural recreation officer include:
- Implementing the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027
- Managing the Walks Scheme
- Helping community groups to apply for ORIS funding
- Overseeing work on the general access, upkeep, upgrades and rerouting of trails
- Assisting Fáilte Ireland in the development, marketing and promotion of trails and key walking destinations, including media and trade visits
- Working with local communities in developing trails and organising walking events
- Supporting the County Outdoor Recreation Plan
- Supporting the “Leave No Trace” initiative
Embracing Ireland's Outdoors: The National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027
Embracing Ireland's Outdoors
The National Outdoor Recreation Strategy sets out the government’s goals for improving outdoor recreation in Ireland. The emphasis is on improving access and participation to get more people across the country enjoying the great outdoors.
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The Walks Scheme
The Walks Scheme
The Walks Scheme was launched in 2008 and is aimed at farmers, private landowners, landholders and land users. It funds the development, enhancement and maintenance of walking trails that cross private lands. Landowners are paid to to maintain the trail and keep it safe for walkers.
Scéim na Siúlóidí
Sheol Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D., an tAire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe & Gaeltachta, Scéim na Siúlóidí ar an 4ú Márta 2008. Tá an scéim dírithe ar fheirmeoirí/úinéirí talún príobháideacha agus ar shealbhóirí/úsáideoirí talún agus tá obair forbartha, feabhsaithe agus chothabhála ar na Slite Náisiúnta Slímharcáilte agus ar na siúlóidí tosaíochta i gceist léi.
Scéim náisiúnta í atá oscailte do na sealbhóirí go léir a bhfuil talamh acu ar na Slite Náisiúnta Slímharcáilte, ar na Bealaí Siúlóide Lúibe agus ar na Bealaí Oidhreachta chomh maith le cosáin eile atá ceadaithe ag Sport Ireland.
Feidhmeoidh an scéim ar shlite a mbeidh comhaontú faighte i leith fhad iomlán na siúlóide agus sa chás sin amháin agus ní chuirfear an scéim i bhfeidhm ar chuid de shiúlóid.
The Walks Scheme
Éamon Ó Cuív, TD, and Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs launched the Walks Scheme on 4th March 2008. The scheme is aimed at farmers/private landowners and landholders/users and involves the development, enhancement and maintenance of National Way Marked Ways and priority walks.
It is a national scheme and open to all landholders on National Way Marked Ways, Looped Walking Routes and Heritage Routes along with other trails that have been approved by Sport Ireland.
The scheme will only operate where there is agreement on the entire walk and will not be available for part of a walk.
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The Monaghan Way
The Monaghan Way
The Monaghan Way is an 18.5km walking trail linking Castleblayney to Inniskeen. It is a National Waymarked Way and the only trail in Co. Monaghan currently registered on the national Walks Scheme. For more information, including photos and maps of the trail route, see this page.
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS)
Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS)
The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding to create, develop and maintain outdoor recreational facilities in rural areas. The RRO can help to guide community groups through the application process.
Trail Development for Community Groups
Trail Development for Community Groups
Are you interested in creating a new trail or upgrading an existing trail in your area? The RRO can help guide you towards getting your trail approved by Sport Ireland and added to the national trails register.
Monaghan County Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP)
Monaghan County Outdoor Recreation Plan
A key action in the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy is the creation of bespoke County Outdoor Recreation Plans for each county, developed in consultation with stakeholders and local communities.
Monaghan County Council has prepared a new County Outdoor Recreation Plan which sets out a strategic framework for the development, enhancement, and sustainable management of outdoor recreation across County Monaghan.
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace Ireland is a charity that provides research, education and outreach so every person who ventures outside can protect and enjoy the outdoors responsibly.
Impacts
Leave No Trace works to address:
- Wildlife Impacts: disturbance, altered behaviour
- Vegetation Impacts: vegetation loss, the introduction of invasive species
- Water Resource Impacts: siltation, sedimentation, pollution
- Cultural Resource Impacts: congestion, theft or damage to cultural features
- Soil Impacts: soil compaction
- Social Impacts: crowding, conflicts between groups
7 Principles
The seven principles of Leave No Trace are:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Be Considerate of Others
- Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife
- Travel and Camp Responsibly
- Leave What You Find
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Protect Nature From Fire
Contact Us
To find out more about the Walks Scheme or to discuss other outdoor recreation initiatives in your area, contact the Monaghan RRO at rro@midl.ie or the Monaghan Integrated Development Castleblayney office at 042 9749500.