Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS)
The 2026/27 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and the necessary repair/maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in countryside areas across Ireland.
Projects typically funded by ORIS include walkways, cycleways, blueways, water and cycle trails, mountain access routes, bridleways, and open water amenities at bogs, rivers, lakes and beaches, including tidal pools.
Funding is available through ORIS under four measures:
Measure 1 - Small Scale Repair/Maintenance/Development/Promotion and Marketing – funding of up to €40,000 available per project.
Measure 2 - Medium Scale Repair/Maintenance/Upgrade and New Trail/Amenity Development - funding of up to €200,000 available per project.
Measure 3 - Strategic Large-Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategic Trail/Amenity Development - funding of up to €500,000 available for one project.
Project Development Measure (PDM) - Development Costs for Outdoor Recreation Projects – funding of up to €100,000 available.
Louth County Council is now seeking expressions of interest from community groups who may have a project proposal that they would like to see developed under any of the above measures.
Please note, submission of an expression of interest does not guarantee that a proposal will be progressed to the next stage of being submitted for funding. While project proposals may be developed in collaboration with a community group, Louth County Council will be the body responsible for the delivery of a project, should it receive funding.
If you have a project that you wish to propose, please visit our online consultation portal here to access the Scheme Outline and Expression of Interest forms. If you have any questions regarding the Scheme, please contact the Capital Delivery Team at funding@louthcoco.ie
Please note, the deadline for Expressions of Interest under the four measures are as below*
Measure 1 – midday on Monday 24th August 2026
Project Development Measure – midday on Monday 24th August 2026
Measure 2 – midday on Monday 2nd November 2026
Measure 3 – midday on Monday 2nd November 2026
*These dates are different to the application deadline dates indicated by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) on Page 24 of the Scheme Outline. This is to allow for Expressions of Interest to be reviewed by Louth County Council before any potential submission to the DRCDG.
