The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has today announced €21.5 million for 27 landmark regeneration projects in rural communities across the country.
The funding, under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund, is being invested in projects that will rejuvenate town centres, drive economic growth and footfall, combat dereliction, develop pedestrian zones and outdoor spaces and boost tourism in Rural Ireland.
A total of four projects in the Shannonside region are to receive funding worth a total of €3.4million.
Plans to develop a town centre for Monksland in south Roscommon will receive funding of €1.2m, with a Granard destination town project also set to receive a cash injection of €1.1m.
Improvement works in Strokestown are also set to receive funding of over half-a-million euro while a four-strand regeneration project in Drumshanbo, including plans to repurpose two high profile buildings in the town centre as the Exchange Smart Working Hub is to get funding of almost €600,000.
Councillor Enda McGloin, who's also Chairman of Drumshanbo Community Council, says the funding will allow them to bring life back into two significant vacant buildings in the town centre.:
The announcement of funding has also been welcomed by Minister of State Frank Feighan and Senator Micheal Carrigy as well as Senator Eugene Murphy
Full details of the projects are below:
4-Strand Rural Regeneration Intervention for Drumshanbo (ExCHANGE)
This project will develop plans to repurpose two high profile buildings in the town centre as the Exchange Smart Working Hub and Creative Studios, create access to the town backlands for recreation and business use, and carry out design works for the People's Park.
The project aims to increase footfall and regenerate the centre of the town by reducing vacancy and providing remote working and creative spaces and improved linkages to local amenities and nearby businesses and attractions.
Granard Destination Town
This project involves the acquisition of key sites and design and planning to enable the development of a multi-use open space and parkland, as well as public realm enhancement to increase connectivity and reduce congestion in the town centre.
The project aims to address issue in the town relating to connectivity, parking and utilisation of assets ensuring that economic development opportunities are optimised and the attractiveness and quality of the public realm and the built and natural environment is enhanced.
Putting the Heart Into Monksland.
The project will complete plans for the creation of a town centre focus for Monksland with a new community hub, linear park and increased pedestrian and cycle linkages between residential and commercial areas. A concept plan for the development of brownfield sites is included.
The project responds to the need to create a centre for Monksland and develop the facilities necessary for this settlement area.
Rejuvenating Strokestown's Potential
This involves project development in the centre of Strokestown including improved public realm and parking, plans for the redevelopment of Bawn Street, creation of a civic space at the gates to Strokestown House, and creation of community gardens on a backlands site.
The project aims to address vacancy, integrate the town with Strokestown House and support the growth of further retail and indigenous business.
