Two Galway towns will benefit from funding announced today under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, which will see €13 million allocated to 24 projects across Ireland.
Clifden Town Centre and Portumna Vision 2030 will receive funding of €792,000 and €1.2 million respectively under the development fund, accounting for 75% of the cost of each project.
The funding in Portumna will go towards the renovation of the Courthouse to be used as a Community Arts Centre, and a Remote Working Hub and a Tourist Information Office.
Minister Ciarán Cannon said that this is “a fantastic development for the great team at the Shoreline’s Arts Festival, the Portumna Players and many other cultural groups in South East Galway.”
The €1.2 million in funding will also contribute to public realm regeneration works along St Brendan’s Court, Clonfert Avenue, Bridge Road and Castle Avenue, and a Sculpture Park linking Portumna Castle, Portumna Workhouse, Courthouse, Forest Park and the Loop Walk.
Two protected buildings will be acquired on Abbey Street and converted into homes, while retaining the protected structures.
Announcing the successful projects today, Minister Ring said that the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund represents an unprecedented opportunity to deliver the scale of investment necessary to allow rural communities to further develop and prosper.
“This investment is more important than ever to help address the challenges arising from the COVID-19 crisis and to drive economic recovery and sustainable development in rural areas,” he said.
Minister Ring said that the Category 2 funding is for projects that require further development to make them ready for construction.
“There can be significant work and expense involved in getting projects to the point where they are ready to be delivered.
This support is critical to ensure that a pipeline of ambitious regeneration projects are ready to hit the ground running in the future,” he added.
