EQUESTRIAN tourism in south west Cork has been boosted by the confirmation that the Beara bridle way has been granted €48,000 in funding under the 2016 Rural Economnic Development Zones (REDZ) scheme.

The announcement came just days after economist Jim Power, who is currently compiling an evaluation report on the Irish Sport Horse industry in an effort to lobby the government for additional funding, said he was looking into the untapped tourism side of the sector. His comments came at the Teagasc National Equine Conference in Kilkenny last Thursday after voices raised the point about the need for the Republic to follow the UK in acknowledging our horses and horse friendly attitude with a number of bridle paths around the country.

The Cork bridle path is just one initiative of the €5.3 million REDZ scheme which was announced by Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys last week, in an aim to stimulate development in rural towns.

The 10.1km trail goes around the areas of Uran, Allihies and Castletownbere on the southern Beara peninsula.

Horse Sport Ireland chairman, Professor Pat Wall, said the equestrian sector needs to tap into the success of the Wild Atlantic Way throughout Ireland. “This funding is fantastic news,” he told The Irish Field. Reaching New Heights made recommendations for opening up the countryside, it is fantastic for attracting tourists and bringing money into the rural economy.

“There is two elements to this, the first is for people who want to just go out and ride their horses, it is therapeutic for people and horses, and secondly the potential for tourism is massive. We need to capitalise on this. We have a beautiful rugged countryside and all these lovely docile horses, this gives them value.”

Wall added: “ I hope this is the first of many opened up to funding. Leisure riding has huge huge potential in this country.”

Cork-based Fine Gael Senator Tim Lombard welcomed the funding, saying: “Under the 2016 REDZ scheme, I am delighted that €48,000 has been allocated to the Beara Bridle Way in Cork to develop a horse riding trail.

“A lot of work is being put in by the local authorities to develop the bridle way, we would hope it will be finished in a few months. It is one of the most scenic places in Munster and hopefully this funding will be a catalyst to see more of these path ways develops around the country,” Lombard added.

Belinda Bielenberg of Munny Trials in Tullow, Co Wicklow, also welcomed the funding to the equestrian leisure sector. “The more trail rides we have in Ireland, the more it will do for equestrian tourism and equestrian breaks and it is important for people who want to ride non-competitively,” she said.

Bielenberg’s Munny Trials received funding in the region of €7,000 from the Carlow County Council some eight years ago to aid the development of the course and general set up of the facility, which includes a 14km track, as well as stables and living accommodation.

“We could benefit from further funding now to keep the place in order, but it is definitely positive to see money being granted to any bridle way,” she added. The Beara bridle way was the only one that was funded under the REDZ scheme for 2016.