Over €8 million in regeneration funding announced for Scarriff

More than €8 million in funding has been announced for a landmark regeneration project in Scariff, county Clare.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, confirmed an allocation of record funding of €164 million for 30 landmark regeneration projects across the country while visting the county this Monday morning, May 13.

€8.7 million has been allocated for the Scarriff Integrated Rural Regeneration Project.

This project will deliver integrated interventions in the centre of Scarriff including the renovation of an existing vacant derelict building as community and enterprise hub and the enhancement of Market Square to create a sense of place and arrival.

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The investment is being provided under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) with a particular emphasis on the revitalisation of rural town centres, which is a key objective of the Our Rural Future and Town Centre First Policies.

Commenting at the announcement of the funding at Loop Head in Co, Clare, Minister Heather Humphreys said: “The funding announced today will revitalise towns and villages in line with the Town Centre First Policy, addressing vacancy and dereliction, stimulating rural economies and responding to community needs”.

Fianna Fáil TD for Clare, Cathal Crowe, welcomed the announcement, calling it "fantastic news for Scarriff".

"This is a €10.9m project, with €8.7m being provided via the RRDF grant," he said.

The announcement was made by Minister Humphreys as she visited Loop Head lighthouse in Clare, which has benefited from funds of up to €1m from the rural regeneration scheme to upgrade visitor facilities there.

It has re-opened for the 2024 tourist season and the funds helped provide the first mains water supply to the complex, which in turn allowed other developments to proceed.