Tag Archives: RRDF

CNOC na Gaoithe in Tulla was lauded by the Minister Heather Humphreys as an outstanding example of how local communities can harness support to bring old buildings back into use. The Minister for Rural and Community Development stopped off in East Clare during her whistle-stop tour of the county last Thursday (July 29). As part of the national ‘Our Rural Future Roadshow’, the minister saw a range of projects which are being supported by funding from her department. At the Cnoc na Gaoithe centre, where Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are redeveloping the old convent and primary school building into a cultural hub, Minister Humphreys was treated to a tour of the work to-date as well as a flavour of the rich musical traditional of the area. “What I’ve seen here is absolutely fantastic,” Minister Humphreys told The Champion. “What strikes me most is community. Community, working with local authority, and realising their ambitions, identifying what they want to do in their …

DISAPPOINTMENT has been expressed by Clare’s Fine Gael TD over a lack of funding for this county in the latest roll-out of a multi-million euro rural regeneration fund. Commenting on the €75 million allocation unveiled earlier this month, Deputy Joe Carey said he was particularly disappointed at the lack of funding for People’s Park in Kilmihil. Addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, Deputy Carey noted the benefits the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) had previously brought to Clare, but said there was concern at the lack of an allocation in the latest funding round. Congratulating Minister Heather Humphreys on “an ambitious rural policy,” Deputy Carey said it was clear the government was committed to rural Ireland. “We have done really well in recent years in County Clare,” he acknowledged. “There is a significant project in Ennistymon, where a digital hub is being created. It has been a great success. We …

Community shares ideas to make ‘heart of town beat again’ with help of state redevelopment fund AN EXPLORATORY meeting on the possible regeneration of the old Astor Cinema building in Scariff heard hopes that “the heart of the town may soon beat again”. The Zoom gathering was convened last Saturday night by community activist Eoin O’Hagan, former chair of Clare Tourism. Mr O’Hagan is the driving force behind a bid to make a large-scale application to the Department of Rural and Community Development. Earlier this month, government unveiled a plan to reinvigorate rural Ireland by transforming disused derelict buildings into remote working hubs and community venues. He outlined how the venue, if redeveloped, could even accommodate a performance stage capable of catering to audiences inside and outside of the building. “A stage that could be opened to the outdoors could cater for festivals of all kinds. This could be a truly flexible venue for all kinds of groups and events,” …