Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced over €11.4 million to deliver 264 projects under the 2024 CLÁR Programme. The investment in the four counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly, and Westmeath in the Midlands region is €1.8 million.
The investment will support the development of sports and outdoor facilities such as playgrounds, astroturf pitches, running tracks, and spectator stands. Community centres and local halls will also be upgraded and given a new lease life as part of the initiative. There is a big focus too on supporting schools by investing in play areas for our children. There is also significant funding to develop green spaces, sensory gardens, and biodiversity areas, with funding also going to a number of Tidy Towns groups.
The investment represents one of the largest allocations under the CLÁR Programme to date.
Some of the investment include;
- Co. Laois: Ballyfin National School – Upgrade to the outdoor play area, multi-purpose outdoor playing surface, biodiversity garden & sensory trail: €50,000.
- Co. Westmeath: Horseleap Streamstown Community Association—Renovation and improvement works to the Community Centre: €50,000
- Co. Offaly: ‘Fivealley Pride of Place and Future Proofing initiative’ – Rest area, meeting point, cycle stop, patio with biodiversity planting: €45,000
Midlands Clár Funding Breakdown
Laois
Donaghmore Famine Workhouse & Agric Museum €50,000
Vicarstown Canalside Blueway SVT Activity Hub €50,000
Clover United FC – Meagher Doheny Park sport grounds: €45,540
Dún Mhic Cumhaill – Ballyfin Community Playground, €50,000
Colt GAA Club €50,000
St Aengus FC – CJ Sheeran Park €50,000
Ballyfin NS Upgrading NS outdoor area, €50,000
Ballyfin GAA Club Upgrading €50,000
Errill GAA Club €50,000
Clough Ballacolla GAA Grounds, €50,000
St Joseph’s GAA Club, Kellyville €33,075
Knock Chapel House & Garden €8,100
Clonin Sports Field €38,700
Longford
Moyne Community School €49,094
Lisryan & District Development Committee €17,929
Longford Coco, Higginstown Granard. €45,449
Longford Granard Community Centre €46,958
Longford Leebeen Park Development CLG T €27,900
Killoe Community Group Outdoor sensory space €28,719
Carrickedmond GAA Stand improvements €50,000
Longford Ballymahon GAA €44,863
Abbeylara Parish Centre €45,000
Colmcille GFC Tarmac and line the carpark. €49,725
Clonbroney Parish Hall Committee €9,449
Newtowncashel Gun Club €44,690
Carrickedmond GAA, Longford
Offaly
Ballybritt Village centre: €49,500
St Brigids GAA Club Croghan €43,225
Fivealley Pride of Place, €45,000
Dromakeenan N.S, Dromakeenan, Ettagh Playground €44,712
Offaly Pure Mile Group Croghan €6,953
Clonfanlough Hall Committee, Clonmacnoise €50,000
St. Finian Church, Longford, Birr, €25,000
(Edenderry MD) Public Lighting €24,200
Offaly S.N Ros Com Rua Roscomroe Astro Turf Pitch €46,899
Shannonbridge Community Services Group Repairs €49,500
Croghan Local Development Group Centre Insulation €47,347
Westmeath
Rathowen Community Development Redevelopment €45,000
Nancy to Nelly Fore walk upgrade: €50,000
Westmeath Horseleap Streamstown Community Centre €50,000
Multyfarnham Community Centre €50,000
Westmeath Solar Athlone €18,900
Westmeath Streete Parish Park upgrade: €47,486
Ballymore Community Centre Hall refurb €38,547
Westmeath Tang GAA Club €50,000
Multyfarnham Community Centre €17,325
Carpark upgrade Wicklow Annacurra GAA €50,000
Announcing the successful projects, Minister Humphreys said:
“The projects we are funding today are based on a bottom-up approach: ideas and proposals that have come directly from communities on the ground. From playgrounds and sports facilities to sensory gardens and community halls, these projects will make a really positive difference in towns and villages throughout Rural Ireland.”
Successful projects under Measure 3 of the programme that support the island communities will be announced in the coming weeks.
CLÁR funding works in conjunction with local funding and on the basis of locally identified priorities. CLÁR 2024 was launched on the 12th April 2024 and included the following measures:
- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities
- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, Meals on Wheels and Community First Responders Transport
- Measure 3: The Islands
