€1.4m for rural communities to develop recreation amenities

Meath projects are to benefit from €1.4 million in funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with the largest allocation of €500,000 going to Drumconrath for the development of a civic plaza and community space at the site of the former Doyles Garage, with the adjacent house to be developed as a cafe with business rooms upstairs.

Ráth Chairn is to receive €300,000 for the refurbishment of its community centre, ensuring it remains a modern, accessible hub at the heart of village life, while Rathkenny has also been awarded €297,756 to upgrade its existing community hall, supporting local events, activities and social connection.

Duleek has secured €300,000 to develop a linear river walk, enhancing local amenities while improving connectivity and promoting outdoor recreation.

The Meath allocation is part of an overall funding announcement of €26m for 116 projects in rural communities across the country by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, for projects that will rejuvenate town centres, drive economic growth and town footfall, combat dereliction and vacancy, develop pedestrian zones and outdoor spaces and boost tourism in rural Ireland.

In the most recent round of funding, Meath County Council received €1,397,756 under the Town and Village Renewal Main Scheme. This includes €500,000 to re-develop two acquired derelict sites into multi-functional spaces to include a public park, amenity space, plaza areas, amphitheatre seating, picnic areas, café, business hub, parking and landscaping in Drumconrath.

Some €300,000 is to go towards the development of a linear river walk in Duleek, in order to link three separate green areas together and highlight attractions in the village.

Ráth Chairn Community Centre is to receive €300,000 to preserve, promote, and celebrate the unique Gaeltacht culture, language, and history of the region, while €297,756 has been allocated to upgrade the existing hall and meeting rooms in Rathkenny Community Centre to modern standards, making it much more user friendly for all age groups and user types.

In addition to this, the Council also received €100,000 under the TVRS Project Development Measure comprising of €50,000 for the development of the former St Mary’s Church in Kilmessan, and €50,000 for the development of the former National School in Moynalty.

An Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr Wayne Harding said: “I warmly welcome this significant investment of over €1.4 million in funding from the Department for six projects that will help us revitalise our towns and villages around the county.

“I am looking forward to seeing these projects delivered and to the positive impact they will have on our communities.”

Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe said: “We adopted our largest ever budget of over €258 million last month for 2026, providing for an enhanced focus on infrastructure, public spaces, and economic opportunities in our towns, villages, and communities across Meath.

“The funding announced today compliments our vision perfectly, and I am excited to see the tangible differences they will make to communities in the years to come.”

The funding has also been welcomed by Kells councillor Sarah Reilly who said the funding will deliver real and lasting benefits across the county and is a reflection of the “fantastic work being done by community organisations on the ground.”

“These awards recognise the dedication, vision and persistence of local groups who give so much of their time to improve their areas,” she said. “Time and again, particularly across the Kells Municipal District, communities have shown what can be achieved when people work together with pride and purpose.”

Cllr Eugene Cassidy also welcomed the funding allocations. He said: “I was delighted to work with this wonderful committee in Rathkenny putting this application together for town and village. They are the heartbeat of Rathkenny and do so much great work for their parish.

“The community centre is the centre of everything that happens in Rathkenny but needed a major upgrading to make it fit for purpose for today's needs. This €300,000 will help to do just that and I look forward to changes it will bring to the community centre.”

He also welcomed funding for Drumconrath saying: “This is great news for the derelict site where the old garage use to be. 500k has been secured to turn this in to a new amenity area which will include a coffee shop, business hub, village plaza, amenity park with landscaping and a seating area.

“For far too long this was an eyesore in Drumconrath that affected the whole look of the village. That is going to change in the years ahead. This funding will transform the whole appearance of the village and will have a positive effect on the area.

“I want to thank Meath County Council for believing in this project and seeing it through to where it is today. I am looking forward to working with the Council in seeing it through to fruition.”