Major enhancements planned for Lough Boora Discovery Park

Bord na Móna has announced several significant upgrades which are being carried out at Lough Boora Discovery Park in Offaly, designed to 'enhance the overall visitor experience'.

The condition of the park was brought up by many of the candidates in the recent local election campaign with some questioning Bord na Mona's commitment to the project.

Upgrades of the trail network that have been carried out to date have been completed in collaboration with Offaly County Council and according to Bord na Mona, visitors to Lough Boora Discovery Park will now be able to explore up to 4km of upgraded developed trails. It says that this upgrade offers more opportunities to enjoy the 'unique beauty and biodiversity of Lough Boora Discovery Park' and enhances the accessibility of the trails for all users. These trail upgrades were funded by Offaly County Council through the National Just Transition Fund.

Bord na Mona says that since November 2023, a dedicated team has been overseeing an intensive maintenance programme throughout Lough Boora Discovery Park adding that this programme will continue throughout 2024, ensuring that the park remains in optimum condition for all visitors.

Bord na Móna says it is also investing an additional €250,000 to improve the overall visitor experience, upgrading orientation and wayfinding, thematic experiences and visitor facilities. 

It says that Lough Boora is home to some of the most innovative land and environmental sculptures in Ireland, inspired by the rich natural and industrial legacy of the bog lands, a series of large-scale sculptures are now part of the park’s permanent collection. Bord na Móna and Offaly County Council are working collaboratively on the maintenance and repair of sculptures in the park, with Creative Ireland funding a maintenance programme.

 New services have been introduced, with the award winning Ballycommon Bake House providing café services and Mid-Ireland Adventure offering bike hire, adding to the convenience and enjoyment of park visitors. These services are available from Wednesday to Sunday during the peak season and at weekends during the off-season.   The main car park is open from 8am to 6pm and is free of charge after charges were scrapped in May.

Bord na Mona says that dditional funding for upgrades to the park have been secured through several sources including the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, totalling €500,000, with required match funding by Bord na Móna. This project is focused on making the trail network around the core visitor hub area in the park fully accessible and inclusive, providing the local community a safe, quality and inclusive local recreation resource, but will also help to increase the number of visitors to Co Offaly and encourage greater dwell time and spend in the local economy.

Work will also soon begin on the Velo Rail Project. This project includes a 4.1km loop along the existing Bord na Móna narrow gauge railway, offering new perspectives of the wetlands, sculpture park, wildlife, and biodiversity. This addition promises to be a unique attraction for visitors. Funding allocated to the Velo Rail project amounts to €445,000 through National Just Transition funding with Bord na Móna providing match funding of €120,000.

In line with these improvements Bord na Móna says it has also recruited a dedicated recreation team to work full-time on trails and other projects within the park. These developments underscore Bord na Móna's commitment to providing exceptional local amenities and promoting outdoor recreation in the region.

Speaking on the announcement, Ger Breen, Head of Land & Habitats with Bord na Mona said, “these upgrades at Lough Boora Discovery Park represent our ongoing commitment to enhancing visitor experiences and promoting sustainable tourism. Through our collaboration with Offaly County Council, we are not only preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the area but also creating new opportunities for adventure and exploration. The dedication of our team and partners ensures that Lough Boora Discovery Park will continue to be a valued destination for all."