Two Roscommon Angling facilities are among 50 nationwide that will benefit from the 2017 Inland Fisheries Ireland Capital Works Fund.
The Capital Works Fund 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.
The two Roscommon angling facilities to benefit are Stoneham’s (Linn Ban) Lake Angling Access Infrastructure Development, near Castlecoote Village has been allocated €28,148. Corcoran’s Access Path to the Angling Pegs at Emlaghroyan, Donamon is set to receive €7,945. Both facilities are part of the Suck Valley Development Co-Operative Society network.
Senator Maura Hopkins has welcomed the news, stating
“it is very positive that County Roscommon has been successful in securing €36,093 for angling development projects. I congratulate those involved in working hard to secure this funding.The projects which focus on improving angling access and infrastructure will be delivered in 2017.”
Senator Hopkins added, “already this year €89,230 was given to wheelchair angling project along the Suck Valley Way under the Rural Recreation Project Scheme. It is very evident that a significant amount of work is being completed by communities along with River Suck to develop its potential. The Suck Valley Area offers huge tourism opportunities and it is very positive that this funding will support people wishing to engage in angling and to experience the heart of County Roscommon.”
Councillor Orla Leyden who submitted the applications on behalf of the Suck Valley Development Co-operatives Society Ltd
with the Suck Valley Angling Hub and other stakeholders including Cuisle Respite Centre (IWA), Castlecoote Tidy Towns, Kilbegnet Development Association said that this is a major boost for angling on the River Suck.
Cllr. Leyden noted that the funding of €7,945 for gravel access paths to eight angling pegs in Emlaghroyan, Donamon (Corcorans) is particularly important as it will finish off this newly developed Inland Fisheries Ireland fishing area which is an excellent fishing spot on the River Suck.
Earlier this year Inland Fisheries Ireland completed 10 pegs at Corcorans which can be easily accessed by anglers. A further eight pegs have been “cut in” but they are not easily accessed. This funding will facilitate the development of a gravel path through the forest with the permission of Coillte providing ease of access by foot to these eight swims developed recently by IFI. Cllr. Leyden thanked Bill Cassidy, Chairperson of the Suck Valley Angling Hub for his work on this project at “Corcorans”.
She also thanked the local Inland Fisheries Ireland inspector Oisin Naughton and Seamus McDermott, of IFI for their assistance. She concluded by saying that she looked forward to working with the group in the New Year to see the two projects completed.