Big welcome for €1.9m in funding for new community centre in Kilcloon

The village of Kilcloon in South Meath is celebrating after it was approved for €1.9m in funding for its new community centre.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, unveiled an investment of over €30 million, which will deliver 12 new community centres nationwide.

The successful community centre projects will receive capital grants of between €1m and €6m to build multi-functional centres in areas that currently lack community facilities.

The Community Centres Investment Fund – was launched in March 2023 to provide investment for new and ambitious community projects in our towns and villages.

After providing funding of €45.8m to over 860 projects for refurbishments, Minister Humphreys decided to put a renewed focus on supporting communities that have no community centre at all.

Making the announcement, Minister Humphreys said she was delighted to announce details of the successful projects under the Community Centre Investment Fund 2023.

“We are investing over €30 million in 12 new build facilities – this will be transformational for our rural towns and villages.

“Our community centres bring people of all ages together, whether it be for sporting, educational or social occasions.

“They are vital for engaging with those who may find themselves marginalised and they give everyone in the community a great sense of belonging.

“They build, stronger, more vibrant communities – places that for so many people act as a home from home.

“You could say that the Community Centre is the cornerstone of community life in many towns, villages and cities around the country.

“This funding will assist community groups striving to build their own community centre to service local needs and the level of interest has shown that these centres, when complete, will be the heart of many a community.”

Welcoming the new, Minister for Sport and Meath East TD, Thomas Byrne said:

"I am truly delighted that Kilcloon Community Centre has been granted €1.915m for the development of a new Community Centre for the parish, by Minister Humphreys.

"This is fantastic news and the entire local committee has worked really hard on the application, with fundraising ongoing locally for quite some time. This Centre will provide a hub for the community and is badly needed. I was delighted to meet the Committee recently to see for myself the incredible work done in this application.

Local Cllr Caroline O’Reilly said she was absolutely delighted and honoured to be in a position to announce this news to her home community.

“For as long I can remember the community has worked tirelessly to raise money to build this. It’s going to be the cherry on the cake for our amazing parish and with the new playground already a huge success we are just totally delighted to now have our Community Centre.”

Paying tribute to her late cousin, Cllr Damien O'Relly, Cllr Caroline O'Reilly said he heavily endorsed this project and his knowledge and insight into the grants process was vital.

"To receive this news the day after Damien’s birthday was particularly poignant but it is equally wonderful to see that his efforts are still delivering. As a community representative I want to give thanks to those members of our community who provided letters of support and years of experience at the time of grant submission which were essential. I also want to applaud the persistence and resilience of everyone who has been involved over the past 40 odd years in achieving this dream.”