Carlow to benefit from over €7m in funding announced for community projects nationwide

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced almost €7.4 million in funding to support 175 community projects nationwide.

Projects in Carlow include:

• Scoil Moling-Glynn - Creation of a soft play area on the school grounds to include the addition of playground equipment for use by the whole community - €44,998
• Killoughternane Hall - Killoughternane Hall Roof Replacement - €27,036
• Drumphea Community Centre Committee - Construction of new boundary wall and replacement of existing section at Drumphea Community Car Park - €14,949

Sports Clubs, Schools and Community Groups will receive grants of up to €50,000 to develop a wide and diverse range of community facilities in rural areas with successful projects including Outdoor Cinemas, Astro-Turfs, Sensory Gardens, Hurling Walls, Basketball Courts, Walkways, Public Toilets, Community Gyms, Renovations to old Handball Alleys and much more.

The funding is being provided as part of ‘Our Rural Future’, the Government’s ambitious policy for rural development.

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Announcing the successful projects, Minister Humphreys said:

“Our Rural Future is all about a ground-up approach to rural development. Every community is different and the people who know best what their town, village or parish needs are the people who live there.

“It was for that very reason that I broadened the scope of the CLÁR Programme this year to allow for a much wider range of eligible projects. The response from communities across the country has been overwhelming and that is evidenced by the diverse range and variety of successful projects under this year’s scheme.

Delighted to announce €7.4m for community projects in rural areas across the country under CLÁR.

Successful projects include new Playgrounds, Astro-Turfs, Walkways, Sensory Gardens, Basketball Courts, Youth Hubs & much more. #OurRuralFuture

Read more > https://t.co/nHuhDC6kgc pic.twitter.com/xgXvvJAPCt

— Heather Humphreys (@HHumphreysFG) August 15, 2022

“I am pleased to award funding to a record number of applications this year. This funding will supports Sports Clubs, Schools, local Development Associations and other community groups in developing community facilities which will benefit people of all ages in our rural communities.

“The recent census results show that there are now more people living and working in rural Ireland than ever before. This hugely positive. The funding I am announcing today will support communities to develop great facilities for families to enjoy.

“Astro-Turfs, Sensory Gardens, Handball Alleys, Outdoor Cinemas, Hurling Walls, Basketball Courts, Walkways, Public Toilets, Community Gyms, Youth Hubs, Community Cafés…these are just a few examples of the wide range of projects we are supporting today.

“I want to congratulate all of the successful applicants and I wish them the best of luck in carrying out these works which will make our rural communities even more attractive places to live, work and raise a family.”

“In view of the hugely positive response from communities, I am exploring the possibility of providing further funding for a second tranche of projects under CLÁR and I hope to make an announcement on this in the near future.”

The full list of successful Measure 1 projects are available here.