€1.23M in CLÁR funding for Cavan and Monaghan

Eighteen projects across counties Cavan and Monaghan are set to benefit from a €1.23M in CLÁR funding from a nationwide €12.3M pot for the community infrastructure programme.

County Cavan will receive €652,359 for nine projects; while County Monaghan will benefit from €580,659 for a further nine projects. The funding is aimed at delivering significant improvements to playgrounds, sports facilities and community amenities across both counties.

The biggest beneficiaries in the Breffni county are Bailieborough and Ballyconnell each of which will receive €100,000 for playground upgrades.

While in the Farney county, Currin GFC in Clones and Clontibret GAA are each set to receive €100,000. The money will be spent on a community gym and spectator stand in Clones and, in Ardaghey, on spectator terracing and panel fencing.

Successful Cavan projects include:

• Bailieborough Community Playground - €100,000 for playground upgrade

• Ballyconnell Community Playground - €100,000 for playground upgrade

• Cornafean GFC - €65,000 for renovation of dressing room

• Kingscourt Stars GAA - €65,000 for refurbishment of walkway

• Kingscourt Harps AFC - €65,000 for new spectator stand

• Mullagh Tourism and Community Development - €65,000 for enhancement of existing basketball court

• St Aidan's GAA, Templeport - €65,000 for gym equipment

• St Felims NS, The Vale, Bailieborough - €65,000 for new Multi Use Gaming Area (MUGA)

• Cavan Burren Park - €62,359 for a sensory trail

Monaghan Projects:

• Currin GFC, Clones - €100,000 for community gym and spectator stand

• Clontibret GAA, Ardaghey - €100,000 for spectator terracing and panel fencing

• Aughnamullen GFC, Tullynamalroe Loughmourne - €65,000 for new community gym

• Cremartin Community Group/GFC, Castleblaney - €65,000 for astroturf pitch upgrade

• Truagh GAA, Emyvale - €65,000 for car park development

• Killeevan NS, Newbliss - €62,712 for refurbishment of playground

• Latton O'Rahilly GAA - €51,720 for upgrading of existing spectator stand

• Glaslough Development Association - €46,660 for playground equipment

• Ballyoisin Community Development Group, Emyvale - €24,567 for completion of car park at Blackwater centre

The Minister for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth (FF), has welcomed today's announcement by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, during a visit to Kiltimagh Knock United soccer club in County Mayo.

"This funding will make a real and lasting difference to families, sports clubs and community groups in every corner of the constituency.

"From playground upgrades in Bailieborough, Ballyconnell, Glaslough and Killeevan that will benefit young families, to vital facilities for our GAA clubs and soccer clubs in Kingscourt, Ballinagh, Templeport, Clones, Castleblaney, Latton and beyond, to the wonderful sensory trail at Cavan Burren Park – these projects represent the heartbeat of our communities," she said.

Party colleague, Deputy Brendan Smith, also expressed his delight at the funding and congratulated the projects and communities involved.

"Projects include upgrading of football pitches, playgrounds and walkways. This grant aid will assist in the enhancement of existing community facilities and the provision of new amenities benefiting people of all ages in both counties.

"Good amenities are beneficial for local residents and also visitors to our constituency,” he stated.

Both said the funding demonstrates the Government's continued commitment to supporting rural communities.

The CLÁR programme targets rural areas that have experienced significant levels of depopulation and provides funding for small-scale infrastructure projects that benefit local communities.