'Hugely positive impact': Over €750,000 awarded to two Clare villages for rejuvenation

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has announced funding of €26 million for 116 projects in rural communities across the country, including two in Clare. 

The funding, which is provided under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), is being invested in 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.

TVRS has established itself as one of the vital funding mechanisms for rural Ireland.

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In Clare, €500,000 was awarded to Mountshannon for the refurbishment and extension of a 1940’s community hall into a modern, accessible theatre, arts venue and market space with a new stage, dressing rooms, upgraded toilet and storage facilities. 

Scariff also received €274,480 to redevelop a prominent derelict building into a permanent, inclusive youth centre in East Clare, offering a creative, social and skills-based space for geographically disadvantaged youth. In total, the two villages were awarded funding to the tune of  €774,480.  

Announcing the funding for the 116 projects, Minister Calleary said: “I am delighted to announce the successful projects selected from applications to the 2025 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The scheme continues to have a hugely positive impact in Ireland’s rural towns and villages and this investment will further strengthen this work.

“We will continue to roll-out significant levels of investment in rural Ireland – making our towns and villages better places to live, work, raise a family and run a business. Today’s announcement confirms our strong commitment to supporting our rural communities both economically and socially.

He continued: “There is a high level of interest in the Town and Village Renewal scheme and the applications brought forward by our local authorities following their engagement with communities are of a consistently high standard. It is positive to note the increasing number of projects coming forward from towns that have been active in the Town Centre First process. These towns are working with their Town Regeneration Officers to develop and improve their communities. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who were successful.” 

The announcement sees 77 projects deemed successful under the TVRS ‘Main Scheme’ receiving funding of €24.4 million. In addition, €1.85 million is being provided for 39 under the TVRS ‘Project Development Measure’. This measure supports local authorities to develop a pipeline of projects and provides funding towards the costs to bring projects to a point where they are shovel ready.