Funding of over €20 million has been granted for 82 projects in rural towns and villages around Ireland under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The successful projects include the provision of public plazas and farmers’ markets in town centres and the development of town parks, youth centres and playgrounds.

The funding scheme places a particular emphasis on combating dereliction and repurposing old buildings to revitalise rural town centres. 

Announcing the funding this week, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys said: “These projects have come from local communities themselves and I am delighted to see such a diverse range of projects ranging from new town parks and playgrounds to the development of farmers markets and outdoor dining spaces.

“This is Our Rural Future in action, delivering at local level and making a real difference in our rural towns and villages.”

The successful projects include:

  • Cape Clear, Co. Cork (€228,355): ​Development of Cape Clear’s first children’s playground in the North Harbour.
  • Ballyroan, Co Laois (€500,000): ​Redevelopment of the Old Boys School to include a children’s playground, car park facility, public lighting and landscaping.
  • Carrick-On-Shannon, Co Leitrim (€495,602): Bringing a vacant/derelict building back into use as a community/youth arts facility serving communities of all ages.
  • Enfield, Co Meath (€500,000): The redevelopment and refurbishment of a vacant building to bring it back into use as a much needed community facility.
  • Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon (€500,000): Creation of an inclusive and accessible town park, offering outdoor recreation in the centre of Ballaghaderreen.
  • Culfadda, Co. Sligo (€250,000): ​​​​​ Refurbishment of a vacant, village centre pub into a community social enterprise
  • Lacken, Co. Wicklow (€250,000): Renovation of the old schoolhouse, built in 1869, into a community heritage centre and cafe.

 Since the Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016, over €177 million has been approved for almost 1,800 projects across the country.

 Full details of the successful projects can be found here.