Almost €2 million for Meath regeneration projects

Almost €2 million in funding for for projects in Oldcastle and Dunshaughlin have been announced by Minister Heather Humphreys this morning.

The funding under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF) will see an upgrade of the town square and Fairgreen in Oldcastle, while Dunshaughlin Courthouse will be upgraded as a community space.

In total, €21.5 million has been announced for 27 landmark regeneration projects in rural communities across the country.

The funding announced today will bring these projects through the development stage and to the point where they are ready to commence works.

The Oldcastle project which received €854,502 involves the development of plans for public realm upgrades to the town square, including connecting roads and spaces. Plans for the vacant Fairgreen area will include an outdoor area, plaza and bowling green. The plan aims to modernise and upgrade the social, economic and heritage assets of the area and create a renewed public space at the heart of the community which will attract visitors.

The Dunshaughlin project received €952,600 to develop plans for the refurbishment of the Courthouse for use as a multi-purpose community space as well as public realm works along two adjacent roads to improve pedestrian safety, traffic flow and parking. The project aims to improve the heritage, social and economic assets of the area and renew the public realm to create a more attractive town centre.

Deputy Johnny Guirke said; "This is just brilliant news for the people of Oldcastle and I’m delighted to have been part of this project since our first meeting with officials on 19th March 2019.

"Never in our dreams would we of thought that when we all sat down in the room over the Oldcastle Library nearly three years ago that we would have achieved this good announcement.

"The work that was put in by the Oldcastle Tidy Towns Committee was enormous and especially Gerry McDermott, who deserves a huge amount of credit for the work he put in to getting this project across the line.

"The plan itself aims to modernise and upgrade the social, economic and heritage assets of the area and create a renewed public space at the heart of the community which will attract visitors."

Cathaoirleach of the Ratoath Municipal District, Cllr Nick Killian also welcomed the news. "This will help reenergise Dunshaughin as a vibrant attractive and exciting place to live.

"It will provide opportunities for new and existing businesses as well as refurbishing the courthouse," he said.