More than €70,000 in funding has been awarded to four projects for river restoration and invasive species management in Galway’s waterways.
The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), working on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality, is awarding €72,570.22 to projects in Galway.
Overall, €1,047,265.26 has been awarded across 54 projects in 24 counties under the ‘Community Water Development Fund Open Call 2025’.
Under the fund local communities and groups were invited to apply for financial assistance to support the delivery of projects and initiatives to enhance local water bodies and benefit water quality and biodiversity.
In Galway the following projects were awarded funding:
- Annaghdown Angling Club- Kilroe / Cahermorris River & Environment Rehabilitation, Riparian Zone, Provision of alternate water supply, Ecological Study (€8,610).
- Cuan Beo Environmental CLG- Ballynamanagh River Restoration Project – Consultation, Assessment, & Planning (€17,580.22)
- Abhainn Dá Loilíoch Woodland Group- Phase 1 of 2 part project; Restoration of 20 acre clear fell site in Owendalluleagh River Valley (€40,000).
- Gort River Walk Development Group- Gort River Invasive Species management and biodiversity (€6,380).
Director of Services for LAWPRO, Anthony Coleman said, “I’m delighted to announce over €1m in grants under the Community Water Development Fund 2025, our largest fund to date supporting local community driven projects in Galway and nationwide that will go towards improving water bodies.”
“LAWPRO was set up to coordinate and support efforts to achieve good water quality and these types of projects are at the heart of what we do.”
“Community engagement is fundamental in dealing with local issues and the fund empowers groups to take action to benefit their local water bodies and the surrounding environment.”
“Providing financial support to community groups to develop and grow is an important step in achieving water quality.”
Since 2018 over €3.7m has been provided through this funding scheme to communities, assisting in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive through Ireland’s Water Action Plan.
The funding provided annually has also increased significantly during this period, from €185,800 in 2018 to over €1 million in 2025.
