Clady Hall, Dunderry is to receive €222,000 towards the second phase of its refurbishment project

Four Meath projects share €1.1m Town and Village Renewal funding

Noelle Finegan

Published: Mon 29 Apr 2024, 3:41 PM

Last updated: Mon 29 Apr 2024, 4:24 PM

Four Meath projects are to benefit from funding of over €1.1m under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for 2024 announced today by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.

In Meath, the biggest beneficiary was Enfield with €500,000 awarded towards the development and refurbishment of the old parish hall into a usable space for the community.

A further €250,000 has been allocated for the refurbishment of an old vacant cottage in Castletown for community use to include a coffee shop, while Clady Hall, Dunderry, is to receive €222,167 to bring it back into use as a community centre after its seven year closure.

The final Meath project to benefit from funding is in Kells with €212,850 allocated to transform an overgrown plot of council land into a cultural outdoor hub and biodiversity garden.

Cllr Sarah Reilly with Local Artist Fiona Murphy and Geraldine Walsh from Kells Local Heroes at the plot which will be turned inot a sensory garden.

The Meath projects are among 82 nationwide to share over €20m in funding with a focus on combating dereliction and repurposing old buildings.

The investment is being provided under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with a particular emphasis on the revitalisation of rural town centres, which is a key objective of the government's 'Our Rural Future' and 'Town Centre First' policies.

Announcing the funding in Mayo, Minister Humphreys said: “I am delighted to approve funding of over €20m under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The benefit of this funding will be felt the length and breadth of the country.

“These projects have come from local communities themselves and I am delighted to see such a diverse range of projects ranging from new town parks and playgrounds to the development of farmers markets and outdoor dining spaces.

“I am also pleased to see a number of successful projects which will see vacant and derelict buildings brought back into use and repurposed with community halls and youth centres being provided.

“This is Our Rural Future in action, delivering at local level and making a real difference in our rural towns and villages”