Goldsmith Girls LGFA were one of the recipients of grants. Their Un 16 panel is pictured here with Laura -Lee Walsh and Manager Darren McManus after they were presented with medals. Photo Ann Hennessy

Funding allocated to over 60 local community projects

Over 60 projects in the Westmeath Independent region have been grant aided under a national €4.5m funding allocation by the Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring.

Last week Minister Ring confirmed that 2,106 community initiatives around the country have been allocated a total of €4,524,124 under his Department’s Community Enhancement Programme.
The Community Enhancement Programme provides capital grants to community groups to help them to enhance facilities in disadvantaged communities.
It supports a range of activities in all areas of communities, such as childcare groups, playgrounds, recreational groups, sports grounds, landscaping, and supporting the elderly.
Some 38 projects in South Westmeath, eleven in South Roscommon and 14 in West Offaly have been grant aided.
Minister Ring said: “Having allocated over €4.5 million under the Community Enhancement Programme in 2019, I am delighted to confirm that more than 2,000 projects are set to benefit from it.
“A relatively small amount of money can go a long way and this investment will greatly benefit local community projects throughout the country.”
The announcement follows an open application process which was administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area. It is intended to run the programme again in 2020.

Minister Ring continued:

“Typical enhancements under the Programme include the renovation of community centres and community amenities, improvements to town parks and common areas and spaces and the purchase of equipment which is used to benefit the community. The programme has also supported energy efficient upgrades, developing community gardens, provision of defibrillators, CCTV, and sports and IT equipment.”

Successful projects.

List includes name of group, amount granted in euro and purpose of project.

SOUTH WESTMEATH

Ashdale/Woodlands Grove Res. Association, Athlone, 1,000, Estate Enhancement

Athlone Access Awareness, 1,730, Installation of changing places equipment to enhance the facilities in Athlone for people with high levels of disability

Athlone Community Development Assoc t/a Athlone Community Taskforce (ACT), 990, Upgrade building & development of community facility

Athlone Community Radio, 1,730, Studio Upgrade - new desk

Athlone Family Resource Centre, 1,730, IT Equipment

Athlone Little Theatre, 1,250, Upgrade of Building

Ave Maria Park Residents Association, Moate, 1,730, Purchase of Gardening Equipment

Ballinahown Development Association, Ballinahown, 1,730, Install & fit energy efficient gas heating

Battery Heights Residents Association, Athlone, 1,730, Upgrade of Building

Baylin and District Dev. Group, 1,000, Fencing green area outside school

Brawny Homes Association Athlone, 1,160, IT equipment

Brawny's Men Shed, Athlone, 1,316, Purchase Cement mixer and strimmer

Brosna Residents Group, Kilbeggan, 1,730, Storage Facility

Brosna View Residents, Kilbeggan, 850, Granite/limestone "Welcome sign"/Strimmer

Caulry GAA, 1,713, Defibrillator

Coosan Men's Shed, 1,730, IT Equipment/Site Saw

Drumraney Tang Community Games, 616, Sports Equipment

Gateway Youth Project, Athlone, 1,730, Upgrade Heating System

Goldsmiths LGFA, Walderstown, 745, Sports Equipment/Erect New Notice Board

Hillcourt Residents Association, Athlone, 745, Removal of 2 trees, clear rear of hall, replant

Kilbeggan Men's Shed, 1,090, Dev. of community facility/Improvements to Town park and common area / public realm improvements

Kilbeggan Pitch & Putt Club, 745, New Cutting cylinder for Lawnmower

Ladies & Gents Senior Citizens, Castledaly, 255, Sports Equipment

Midland Amenity Park CLG, Moate, 1,730, upgrade of building

Moate Action Group, 1,730, Public Address System

Moate Active Retirement Club, 450, Laptop & Printer

Moate Bridge Club, 745, Wireless IT Scoring System

Moate CCE, 1,730, 5 new PC's

Moate Performing and Visual Arts Club, 600, Laying damp-prevention soakage channel around club premises/repair water leak damage to flat felt roof

Moate Tidy Towns, 1,730, Lawn Edgers

Mount Carmel Drive Residents Association, 1,730, Community Playground (match LEADER Funding)

Mount Temple Holy Trinity Graveyard Group, 1,730, Dev of Community Facility

Mount Temple Tidy Towns, 1,730, Picnic Area

Rosemount Community Committee, 1,730, Develop community centre

Sarsfield Square Residents Association, 1,730, Ride on Lawnmower

Streamstown Tidy Village, 1,730, Development of Community Facility

Tang Muintir Community Council Ltd., 1,000, Fencing of Templeavally Cemetery

Willow Park Residents Association, Athlone, 1,730

SOUTH ROSCOMMON

Athleague GAA Club, Athleague, 999, purchase sports equipment

Clonsellan Abbey Conservation Group, Ballymurray 1,000, purchase of a access gate to allow access to the Abbey

T.N.R South Roscommon, Mount Talbot , 1,000, purchase cat traps, waterproof covers and transfer cages

St. Peters Football Club, 1,000, supply and erect post and rail fence around the soccer pitch

Fuerty/Castlecoote Defibrillator Group, Fuerty/Castlecoote, 1,000, purchase new defibrillators and heated outdoor boxes

Tisrara Community Park, Tisrara, Four Roads, 1,000, erect new safety netting on training pitch and replace swivel seat in play ground

St. Aidan's GAA, 1,000, purchase and install a public address electronic sound system

Culleen Hall Committee, Culleen, Knockcroghery, 861, purchase curtain track

Monksland Community Development Ltd, 1,000, upgrade light fittings in the Community Centre

Moore Community Council, 12500, refurbish toilet facilities in Moore Community Hall

Ballyforan Tidy Towns Committee, 12500, develop a car park for Ballyforan Hall

WEST OFFALY

Belmont's Men's Shed, 750, To Purchase Tools for mens shed

St Manchan's Ladies Football Club, Ballycumber, 750, To purchase sports/Training equipment

Lemonaghan Graveyard & Heritage Site, Ballycumber, 1,000, To conserve graveyard wall that surrounds Heritage site

Shannonbridge Community Service Group, 1,500, To Upgrade Lighting On Bridge & Marina Area

Ballycumber Mens Shed, 655, To purchase a portable plank planer,

Ferbane Athletic Club, 1,000, To purchase a Marquee to host club events

Ballycumber Village Community & Tidy Towns Group, 500, To Purchase a hedge trimmer wildlife information Signage

Clara Community & Family Resorce Centre, 1,000, To Complete a fit out of a new extension built and to replace old windows

Dernagun Residents, Ballycumber, 500, To Use funds to maintain estate areas purchase a mulching lawnmower

Tubber Tidy Villages, 1,000, To develop a community playground

Ferbane Tidy Towns, 500, Planting of native trees

Shannonbridge Tidy Towns, 500, To produce long term planting scheme to reduce annual costs

Clara Swimming Pool, 2,000, To lay tarmacadam on the premises

Clara AC, 500, Purchase of equipment for juvenile athletics