Six rural projects in region to share over €250k in funding
Six rural projects in the Westmeath Independent region will benefit from funding of some €255,000 in 2024.
The six are among 152 projects to be supported nationally under 2023 CLÁR Programme, details of which were announced today by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys
In the South Westmeath region, two local projects are among nine across the county of Westmeath which are to receive total funding of over €300,000.
The two South Westmeath allocations relate to plans to upgrade an outdoor recreational area at Rosemount Community Centre, which is to be granted €49,968 while Market Hill Residents Association, Ballymore & St. Owens Church of Ireland are to receive €26,698 for exercise equipment and restoration works to St Owens Church of Ireland.
There are also two projects in the South Roscommon area which will receive funding.
Ballintleva NS is to receive €50,000 for the installation of an astro-turf pitch and ancillary site works, while Moore Community Hall will receive €26,868 to complete the upgrading of car parking facilities.
They are among eight projects in rural Roscommon to share almost €360,000 in funding.
In West Offaly, €49,500 is to go to two projects, with both the Shannonbridge/ Clonmacnoise Community Hall and Clonmacnoise National School receiving this allocation.
The former is for plans to renovate a room in the hall, while the latter is for the provision of a playground and sensory garden.
Across Offaly, five projects received some €205,000.
Nationally, some 152 projects will share almost €6.2 million in funding
The funding,will support the delivery of projects including astroturf pitches, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks nature trails, outdoor performance spaces and community cafés.
Announcing the details of funding today, Minister Humphreys said:
“This funding is being provided under the 2023 CLÁR Programme and is all about ensuring that some of our most rural communities benefit from projects that will make them more vibrant places to live, work and visit.
“This funding is on top of the €4.7 million that I announced in December, which focussed predominantly on supporting our GAA and other sports clubs.
“All of this investment is being delivered under our rural development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’, which is having a transformational impact right across Rural Ireland.”
In Westmeath, Minister of State for EU Affairs and Defence Peter Burke warmly welcomed the announcement
He said he was “delighted that communities are coming together and developing their shared spaces and enhancing the local amenities”.
“This funding allocation is highlighting the Government’s commitment to build stronger, safer communities and I acknowledge the good work by all the voluntary committees to bring these applications to fruition.”
Senator Aisling Dolan welcomed the Roscommon allocations.
She said it was great to see two national schools in Tulsk and Ballintleva who will now be able to develop Astro-turf pitches for school-children in the area.
Referring to the Moore allocation, she said the €26,000 to upgrade the car parks in the local area was well needed given the huge crowds turning out to see plays and Christmas markets in the centre.
"There are great ideas to make our towns and villages great places to live and community centres with so many activities like the recent concert with Mary Coughlan and Ultan Conlon in Moore Community Centre before Christmas. This brought people from near and far to enjoy a wonderful night in a upgraded venue with excellent sound and lighting. Not to mention the complimentary teas and coffees at the break!"