Latest news with #CommunityRecognitionFund
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Spending pretty penny to upgrade Oriel Park toilets
Local public representatives have welcomed the funding which was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD as part of €17 million national package to support 212 community projects that assist areas which have welcomed new arrivals in recent years. Louth County Council has received €101,000 for the development of the Muirhevnamor District Park and €100,069 for the installation of accessible, natural play equipment in Ardee Community Park. Dundalk Football Club have received €69,261 for the upgrade of toilets at Oriel Park while St. Mary's GAA, Ardee have been allocated €86,955 for a drainage system. Naomh Fionnbarra and St. Anne's GFG, Drumcar have received €97,255 to upgrade their walking track. The Louth Volunteer Centre has bee given €69,995 to purchase a community bus. The Old Drogheda Society CLG have been allocated €50,600 for enhancement works to Millmount Governor's House and the Dunleer Community Development Board have received €107,207 to upgrade the heating system in Dunleer Market House. Dundalk Tidy Towns will be carrying out enhancement works at the Demesne thanks to a €57,885 allocation. The funding was welcomed by Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly who said it 'highlights the government's commitment to support local communities to be more inclusive and resilient.' 'I am delighted to see this funding for nine projects in Louth as part of the Community Recognition Fund. This funding has enabled communities to be more inclusive by improving community facilities and community spaces. This funding will enable our communities to become more inclusive, resilient and sustainable places in which to live and raise a family, to visit and to socialise'. 'Across Louth there will be major investment supporting a diverse range of projects. Overall, across Ireland we'll see over €17 million to deliver 212 community projects. 'I want to congratulate the community groups who have been the driving force behind the successful applications and look forward to seeing the completed projects.' 'This funding will go right to the heart of our communities, delivering real benefits and enhancements to amenities across Louth and Meath,' said Fianna Fail TD Erin McGreehan.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Johnstown in Meath 'left behind' as new Navan community centre secures funding
Meath County Council's planned community centre at Cluain Adain is set to receive €400,000 under the 2025 Community Recognition Fund. In total, four projects across Meath have been awarded €696,496, as part of a national package of €17m for 212 community initiatives across the country. The scheme supports communities that have welcomed new arrivals in recent years. Senator Linda Nelson Murray welcomed the funding for Cluain Adain, but noted the ongoing demand for more community infrastructure in Navan. 'Navan is really struggling for community buildings, we don't have enough places for the elderly to go and be together, we don't have enough places for the youth to go, so the fact there is going to be a new community building built near Clauin Adain, which is a brand new housing estate, is very welcome news,' she said. 'However, I think we need more community centres; one in the Johnstown area, and one in the centre of the town.' Her call was echoed by Independent Councillor Alan Lawes, who said Johnstown has been overlooked for too long. 'Any new community centre is always welcome but people in Johnstown feel left behind. The town has about 12,000 people living in it but there's still no community centre,' said Cllr Lawes. 'We have clubs like boxing or dancing clubs with no home. All these community groups have nowhere to call home….they need somewhere to call home. Every population should have one.' Meanwhile Minister for Education and Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, also welcomed the announcement. 'This investment will empower our communities to become more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, making them better places to live, raise families, and socialise,' she said on a post on social media. Ms McEntee added: 'Congratulations to the community groups in Meath listed who have been the driving force behind the successful applications. I look forward to seeing the completed projects and the benefits they will bring to our local communities.' The four Meath projects to receive funding under the scheme are: Meath County Council's new community building in Cluain Adain (€400,000) Flexibus, Navan, for a new wheelchair-accessible bus (€146,496) Ashbourne and District Community Council CLG (€80,000) Cushinstown Athletic Club, Duleek, for facility upgrades (€70,000).
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Which Galway city parks are offering free sports equipment for users to enjoy?
The units were launched this week by Galway City Council in conjunction with Galway Sports Partnership. The 'Box Up' units are free-to-use self-service lockers with sports equipment – including footballs, tennis rackets, dumbbell weights, resistance bands, frisbees, rugby balls, and hurls – all available to borrow for registered users for up to three hours, for free. Users only have to sign up through the 'Box Up' app – no credit card required, you just need a valid ID. The units can be found in Doughiska, Ballybane (Castlepark Pitch), O'Sullivan Park, Renmore (Community Centre), South Park, McGraths Field, Salthill and in Westside. The project aims to provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to lead healthier lifestyles through increased access to free sport and leisure equipment. The lockers, which are solar powered, contain a variety of equipment based on the facilities and amenities in that area, and all equipment can be easily accessed through the use of the free BoxUp app. This project is part of the Active Cities Project and funded by the Community Recognition Fund and it has already been proved successful in Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Waterford. This Active Cities initiative is funded through the Community Recognition Fund, under the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Local Community Development Committee and supported by Galway City Council. Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Peter Keane commented: 'The BoxUp initiative is a fantastic addition to the recreational areas of the city. It is great to see this project from Active Cities Galway and Galway City Council that is supporting the people of the city to enjoy physical activity. Having these in place for eight areas across the city will make being active more accessible for all.'
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Number of community projects in Leitrim officially opened during Minister visit
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, Minister Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural Community Development visited a number of locations throughout County Leitrim, to perform official openings, a sod turning and visit a number of other projects funded by his Department in recent years. As part of his visit to the County, Minister Calleary, performed the official opening of a number of projects, notably; the Mohill Public Realm works; The Market Yard in Carrick on Shannon; The Leitrim Village Diversity and Inclusion Project, including astro turf pitch, community gym, street furniture and bus shelter, Drumshanbo Mayflower Community Centre - Basketball and Volleyball Facilities and Drumshanbo Athletic Club Training facilities before concluding his visit by carrying out the official opening of the new state of the art Dromahair Library. Welcoming Minister Calleary to the County Cathaoirleach Cllr Paddy O'Rourke, said the funding allocated to Leitrim by the Department of Rural and Community Development has been instrumental in improving the infrastructure and facilities in this county. "It is our pleasure to have Minister Calleary in County Leitrim so that he can see, first hand, how the funding allocated to a rural county such as Leitrim can make such a significant difference to the people who live in our communities. "I hope that the Minister and his Department will continue to support projects in County Leitrim, similar in nature to those we have seen today, for many more years to come,' said Cllr O'Rourke. Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council, Mr Joseph Gilhooly welcomed Minister Calleary to the County by stating the funding awarded by the Department of Rural and Community Development has been of significant importance to this county. "It has enabled Leitrim County Council to work in close collaboration with communities right across the county to develop and enhance the public realm in a number of our towns, enhance amenities and facilities that will add vibrancy to Leitrim and enable innovative, sustainable and responsive solutions for all our people and communities, making Leitrim the best place to live, work, do business, and visit,' said Mr Gilhooly. While in Drumshanbo, Minister Calleary also performed the official sod turning for the Development of a recreational trail along a disused Narrow-Gauge Railway. Over the past five years, through projects lead by Leitrim County Council, the county has received funding of over €40 million through funding streams run by the Department of Rural and Community Development such as Community Recognition Fund, Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Clár, Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme and Town & Village Renewal. This funding has been of paramount importance in developing and enhancing the public realm and providing amenities and community facilities across Leitrim. On what was a busy day in Leitrim for Minister Calleary, while in the county he also viewed projects funded by his Department that are currently in under way such as Mohill Station House, Carrick On Shannon Business Campus, Carrick on Shannon Tennis Club, Shannonside Regional Sports Campus, The Exchange Regeneration Project in Drumshanbo, The Food Innovation Hub in Drumshanbo, Car Park and viewing area in Drumkeeran.
