€2.5m has been allocated to Cavan and Monaghan in the latest tranche of funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Minister Heather Humphreys made an announcement of over €27m earlier as part of a concerted national effort to combat dereliction and breath new life into rural towns and villages.
Projects earmarked locally under the scheme include streetscape enhancement in Ballyconnell and the purchase of the Convent School building in Co Monaghan for a social enterprise hub. Speaking to Northern Sound, the Minister said the funding was a tribute to all the "hard working volunteers" across this region.
She added that the funding currently being pumped into rural Ireland is unprecedented. "I am delighted to announce a record level of funding under my department's Town and Village Renewal Scheme for Monaghan and Cavan. This is all about breathing new life into our rural communities.
"It's about taking old buildings and giving them a new lease of life. And it's about rejuvenating the centre of our towns by developing, town parks, community gardens and walking facilities for the benefit of local families.
"This investment today will be such a huge boost to the towns and villages in Monaghan and Cavan that benefit. It's the largest ever investment under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and demonstrates my passion and ambition for our rural communities," said the Minister.
Meanwhile, in Monaghan, Ballinode is set to receive €500,000 for the construction of a new purpose-built community centre in the centre of the village; Ballybay will receive an investment of €194,570 for the upgrading and provision of new play equipment and landscaping at Corrybrennan Park; Smithborough is set to receive €147,545 for the construction of a walking track with lighting at the Éire Óg Na Mullaí GAA playing and astro-facilities at Railway Park; Newbliss gets €50,000 to turn a building into a community hub; and Carrickmacross receives €44,280 as part of the Project Development Initiative for Gallow Hills amenity area.
In Cavan, Cootehill gets €500,000 that will see the former Bank of Ireland Building transformed into a remote working enterprise hub with a multi-community space and green space; Mullagh receives €225,240 for the enhancement and extension of the public amenity at Mullagh's Sports Centre grounds; Ballyconnell has been awarded €142,810 for the development of a heritage walking trail, equipped with outdoor lighting, street furniture and solar powered bins; Virginia gets €129,440 for a project that improve the aesthetics of the centre of Virginia town through the installation of benches, planters, bins and fencing; and Ballinagh has been allocated €50,000 to develop a proposal for a food hub facility for Cavan.
