€7 million for Ballyjamesduff regeneration
Funding provided under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund.
The former Percy French Hotel is to be re-developed into remote working facility, café and community space at a cost of €7 million as part of a major Regeneration Project in Ballyjamesduff.
The facility will act as focal point for economic and tourism activity in historic town and the proposed development of the Percy French is one of 23 landmark projects nationwide to receive part of record €115 million record investment.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Cavan-Monaghan TD Heather Humphreys, today announced the major €7 million boost for Ballyjamesduff.
The overall investment will be €8.65 million, with some €6.9 million provided under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund.
“This project is a major endorsement of Ballyjamesduff and the wonderful community that lives and works there,” Minister Humphreys said.
“It will transform and breathe new life into the town itself, helping to attract visitors and inward investment.
“I’m particularly pleased that the project has a major focus on remote working – because this really is the game-changer for Rural Ireland post Covid-19. What we will see here is the repurposing of the former Percy French Hotel, which as we know has lay derelict for some time.
“This is such a wonderful story for Ballyjamesduff and a real vote of confidence in the community itself.”
Fianna Fail TD for Cavan and Monaghan Niamh Smyth also welcomed the funding allocation, saying: “It’s been a very long time coming and lot of hard work put in by the local development organisation in Ballyjamesduff who have worked so collaboratively with Cavan County Council to achieve this kind of funding.”
She said the allocation will be huge in terms of “restoring the integrity” of the centre of Ballyjamesduff town. “I know there are great plans to redevelop it, and extraordinary done by the development organisation there, who have recently reopened the former courthouse, the tennis courts, and this is yet another phase of their big plans for rejuvenating the town.”
Her colleague, Brendan Smith welcomed the substantial rural regeneration funding for Ballyjamesduff and also for Knockconan in Co Monaghan.
Grant-aid of €2.66 million will facilitate the development of Blackwater Valley Rural Enterprise and Digital Hub in Knockconan, providing for remote working space and meeting rooms. The overall cost of this project is €3.32 million
“I compliment Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council, along with local community groups, in advancing these projects to this stage.
“These projects, when completed, will enhance considerably infrastructure in both Ballyjamesduff and Knockconan and will contribute to further economic development and extend the tourism attractions of both areas. In Ballyjamesduff the former Percy French Hotel was an iconic building but has been derelict for some time and the new community building will be warmly welcomed in the wider Ballyjamesduff area.
“Government funding, such as this grant-aid, is essential in the necessary regeneration of our smaller towns and villages and rural areas. County Cavan and in particular areas like Ballyjamesduff have experienced a welcome growth in population and it is important that local infrastructure is improved to cater for increasing demands and to enhance the delivery of local services,” added Deputy Smith.