Picture: Left to right Monica Hamilton MCC, Cillian Cromwell MCC, Siobhan Collins MCC, Brendan Lillis Vice Chairperson Monaghan LCDC, Leona Keenan A/Chief Officer Monaghan LCDC, Cllr. Paul Gibbons Chairperson Monaghan LCDC and Nicola Payne A/Director of Services Community Development Monaghan County Council.

Over €150k for community groups across Co Monaghan

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Over €150,000 in funding has been allocated to 153 community projects across Monaghan under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026.

The funding allocation was jointly announced by the Department of Rural and Community Development with grants ranging from €300 to €6,000.

The top five recipients were Connons Community Centre, €6,000; Carrickroe Community Centre, €5,000; Crescent Hill Residents Association, €4,500; Teach na nDaoine Family Resource Centre €2,998.64 and Clones Development Society Ltd, €2,500.

A number of organisations also received €2,000 each, including: Clara Community Development Association, Hub 21 (formerly the Down Syndrome Centre North East), Magheracloone Community Centre and Monaghan Special Olympics Sports Club.

The vast majority of awards were between €500 and €1,500, benefiting a broad cross-section of community organisations including GAA clubs, tidy towns groups, scout groups, childcare providers, men's sheds, residents' associations, community centres, youth organisations, arts groups and first responder organisations across the county.

The Local Enhancement Programme is a nationwide initiative that provides funding to support essential projects undertaken by small community groups and voluntary organisations, particularly those serving disadvantaged areas.

Nationally, the Local Enhancement Programme 2026 has awarded more than 4,000 grants, with total funding of over €7M. The programme is administered locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with support from local authorities.

LCDC Monaghan Chair, Cllr Paul Gibbons (SF), welcomed the allocations: “This represents a welcome investment in our community and voluntary sector, which does such valuable work in every corner of the county. The quality of the applications impressed again this year, demonstrating the breadth of activity in which our communities are engaged, from community games to bicycle repair.”

Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, Aidan Campbell (FG), congratulated the successful groups saying they are the “backbone” of their communities.

“This funding will make a real difference by helping organisations improve their facilities, purchase equipment and continue the fantastic work they do every day,” he said.

Fine Gael TD David Maxwell also praisex the groups involved for the “enormous impact” they have in their communities.

A full list of the successful groups is available on the Department of Rural & Community Development’s website.

For details on the Cavan allocations, see the Cavan County Council pages.

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