The
Countryside Access and Activities Network for Northern Ireland (CAAN) has recently
announced funding of £132,000 from the Rural Development Council to be made
available for the development of a downhill trail suitable for international competitions
at Rostrevor.
The
Mournes area has been identified as a priority for developing a N Ireland mountain
bike centre. For the past 2 years CAAN in partnership with Coillte have been working
to create the ‘East Border’ Mountain Bike Centre which would embrace
Castlewellan, Tollymore and Rostrevor Forests Parks in Co Down and Carlingford
and Ravensdale Forests in Co Louth and result in one of the UK's and Irelands
best mountain biking areas.
Funding
of £150,000 has already been secured for the proposed Castlewellan cross-country
trail from Mourne Heritage Trust under the Natural Resources and Rural Tourism
Initiative (NRRTI) programme.
Picture
- 2003 National Championship in Kilbroney Park. Picture courtesy of FreezeFocus.
£132,000
for Kilbroney Forest