€100,000 in funding announced to improve streets and shopfronts of Carlow town

Almost 30 towns and villages across Ireland are set to benefit from a €2.6 million fund to enhance streetscapes and shopfronts. 

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys made the announcement, which will see communities all over the country benefitting from upgraded building facades, artwork, murals, lighting and street furniture. 

The 26 towns due to receive funding were selected by each local authority in consultation with local businesses and community groups. 

They include Bagnelstown in Carlow, Ballyconnell in Cavan, Lisdoonvarna in Clare, Bandon in Cork, Lifford in Donegal, Rush in Fingal, Tuam in Galway, Tarbert in Kerry, Athy in Kildare, Callan in Kilkenny, Abbeyleix in Laois, Carrick-on-Shannon in Leitrim, Foynes in Limerick, Granard in Longford, Omeath in Louth, Ballyhaunis in Mayo, Trim in Meath, Clones in Monaghan, Clara in Offaly, Ballinlough in Roscommon, Enniscrone in Sligo, Tipperary Town in Tipperary, Tallow in Waterford, Kilbeggan in Westmeath, Enniscorthy in Wexford, and Newtownmountkennedy in Wicklow. 

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Each town will receive €100,000 as part of the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative with the aim to make the areas more attractive places to live, work or visit. 

Minister Humphreys is urging businesses, property owners and retailers to apply to their local authority to avail of the funding.

She said, "When I announced this initiative last year, there was a hugely positive reaction from businesses and retailers. I’m therefore delighted to announce 26 additional towns that will benefit from €2.6 million in funding from my Department. We all take pride in our rural towns and villages and want them to be as attractive and welcoming as possible. That’s exactly what Streetscapes is all about.

"I want as many businesses and property owners to get involved over the next few weeks and to avail of this funding. You may wish to give the front of your shop a new lease of life and repaint it in bright, vibrant colours. Perhaps you want to cover your windowsills with flowers and plants or purchase street furniture, canopies for your customers to enjoy. Or maybe you have an even bolder idea.

"This time round, I’m encouraging neighbouring businesses to submit a joint application to their local authority if they have a more ambitious proposal. For example, under the first tranche of funding, some businesses transformed their facades with attractive murals – that’s one way to make your town stand out." 

Commenting on the announcement, Fine Gael TD John Paul Phelan said:

“This investment will help make our rural towns more colourful, vibrant and attractive places. Local authorities are to begin advertising immediately and local businesses and retailers are encouraged to apply.”