COUNTY Clare has been allocated €776,573 in the latest round of funding from the government’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
The allocation is part of a national total of €27 million issued by Minister Heather Humphreys to combat dereliction and breathe new life into rural towns and villages.
The biggest allocation of €249,005 is for a public realm project in the Cappa area of Kilrush to provide new access and address safety concerns at the beach and playground area, enabling it to be reclaimed as part of the coastal walk.
A project to improve the public realm in Ennistymon will receive €226,143. The work will enhance the quality of public space and the built environment to support the creation of a vibrant and inclusive townscape.
A sum of €151,925 will go towards the development of the Quin Village Park, which currently serves as a picnic area, and a community village amenity for education and entertainment.
Lisdoonvarna, meanwhile, is to be allocated €100,000 for a streetscape enhancement programme and a sum of €49,500 is to be allocated to Killaloe to redevelop the town’s Courthouse as a multi-service community and arts centre.
Welcoming the allocation, Deputy Joe Carey said the Renewal Scheme was having a significant impact on towns and villages all over the county and noted there was a particular emphasis on projects that have the capacity to support the economic development of local communities.
“It also supports improvements to public amenities to help make our smaller towns and villages more attractive places to live, work and visit,” he explained
“As a member of the Oireachtas committee on Rural and Community Development, I campaigned for the expansion of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and I am delighted to see its positive effects on areas like Clarecastle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Doonbeg, Kildysart, Miltown Malbay, Tulla, Scariff, Tuamgraney, Ogonnelloe, Sixmilebridge, Bunratty, Kilbaha and Quilty.
“I want to thank Clare County Council for engaging with local and business communities to identify these projects and look forward to working with them in support of more Clare applications in the year ahead,” Deputy Carey concluded.
Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has also welcomed the allocation saying, “As a rural county, this scheme is of huge importance to Co. Clare. I’m thrilled to see a significant investment coming our way and the list of projects selected are very exciting.”
As well as the projects listed above, Deputy Crowe noted that Kilrush will also see the iconic former Mars Cinema and Ballroom purchased and converted into a urban renewal educational research training facility.
“This is all about tackling the scourge of vacancy and dereliction in our rural towns and villages and each of the successful projects that are being funded in this round will significantly enhance these communities,” he remarked.
“It’s vital to continue to rejuvenate our rural communities and I’m very excited to see each of these projects commence.”