Latest news with #CommunityRecognitionFund
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Church-run Carraig Centre hailed for inclusion as it expands to serve even more Cork residents
The people behind a church-run community building that became a hub for Ukrainians in Cork have been hailed for their social inclusion work, as the property is set to undergo major works to cater to even more people. Tánaiste Simon Harris visited the Church of Ireland's Carraig Centre in Ballincollig on Friday for a briefing on the work, which is benefiting from government funding set up to recognise communities that helped welcome newcomers. The centre, run by the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes as a church, parish, and community centre, already hosts a range of groups and activities — from church and prayer groups, the HSE, the ICA, and the Montforts, to music and art lessons and birthday parties. Enable Ireland also provides adult day services for service users in the area from the centre. However, the building has become a key social hub for Ukrainians who fled the war and settled in Cork, and is now the home of the Ukrainian community choir of Cork, Kalyna, which has gone on to perform at the Cork Choral Festival. Tánaiste Simon Harris speaking at the Carraig Centre. Picture: Brian Lougheed The Carraig Centre secured €185,000 over three tranches of the Department of Rural and Community Development's Community Recognition Fund, which was set up to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the work being done to welcome and host new arrivals from Ukraine and other countries. It also secured €2m in grant funding from the Department of Justice's now-closed Immigrant Investor Programme to cover the major refurbishment costs. The funding will cover: The installation of flexible wall partitions to create adaptable internal spaces for community groups; The construction of a walkway canopy to connect the existing east wing of the centre, which is currently being refurbished, ensuring all-weather access; The refurbishment of the west wing to create additional community space. Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy welcomed the government's commitment to community development in and across the city. 'The Carraig Centre is a professional, well managed, shared space that is open to all for the improvement of the quality of life for the people of Ballincollig and beyond,' he said. 'I would like to congratulate the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes on the progressive path they have taken in sharing this community facility way beyond their church community as an exemplar of social inclusion and community development.' The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy with Danielle Kelly and Emma Leahy, service owners at Enable Ireland. Picture: Brian Lougheed Rebecca Loughry, a director of services in the city council's Corporate, Community and Cultural Affairs directorate, said the Carraig Centre has consistently supported local community groups and the Ukrainian choir. 'This is an excellent example of what the Community Recognition Fund is all about in terms of enhancing services for all communities, new and established,' she said. 'It further adds to our commitment to enhancing and ensuring Cork city's reputation as a 'city of welcomes' which can be shared by all.' Tánaiste Simon Harris was greeted by the Rector of the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes and the Carraig Centre, Canon Robert Ferris and Rebecca Loughrey, Director of Services, Corporate, Community and Culture Affairs, Cork City Council. Picture: Brian Lougheed Canon Robert Ferris, rector of Carrigrohane Union of Parishes, described Friday's visit by the Tánaiste as an important milestone, bringing together many of the people — including those from national and local government, their staff, and users of the centre — who have helped them reach this point. 'We look forward to serving the community to which we are called and continuing to build upon the rock (Carraig) solid foundations in the months and years ahead," he said. The construction work will continue through the summer with minimal disruption to its wide range of community services. Read More Work on Cork taskforce 'ongoing' as Fine Gael appoints first ever spokesperson on city
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Louth's historic Millmount museum set for major upgrade
Plans for the extensive upgrade have been welcomed by local councillor, Ejiro O'Hare Stratton, who highlighted a 'growing and productive partnership between Millmount Museum and Louth County Council, a relationship that has flourished over the past year and is now delivering tangible benefits for Drogheda.' 'I am pleased to confirm that €50,600 has been allocated under the Community Recognition Fund for enhancement works to Governor's House, a key part of the museum complex.' She welcomed further funding successes including nine government grants, totalling €130,000, awarded to support the museum's ongoing development and €140,000 secured by Louth County Council to restore the historic stone wall along the walkway to Millmount Tower. The project will be delivered by McGuigan Stone Masons of Cavan, with works starting in early July. 'In addition to a €6,000 grant to modernise the museum's library archiving system, there is a new annual financial contribution from Louth County Council to support the museum's long-term sustainability.' Cllr. Hare Stratton outlined the plans to improve facilities at Millmount museum including an upgrade to windows, new bathrooms and a redecorated lecture hall along with a modernised kitchen, a full IT systems upgrade and integration with the new heating system installed last year. She acknowledged the role of Louth County Council's new Chief Executiv,e David Conway, whose support she says 'has brought renewed energy and commitment to the project.' 'This marks a turning point for Millmount. At a time when national tourism is facing challenges, we are seeing resilience, investment, and optimism right here in Drogheda. This is about partnership — between the museum, the Old Drogheda Society, and Louth County Council. It is very positive news for our heritage, our local economy, and our wider community.' Cllr Ejiro OHare also paid tribute to Mr. John McCullen, President of the Old Drogheda Society, for his 'unwavering leadership, and to the incredible team behind the scenes, their dedication and passion are the driving forces behind this success.' 'With morale high, strategic investment underway, and visitor numbers holding steady despite national trends, Millmount Museum is on course to thrive, and to shine as a cultural landmark in the northeast of Ireland.' Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
Irish Independent
17-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Joint venture for Tipperary tourism project would be a ‘game-changer'
The call was made at the June meeting of the Thurles Municipal District by councillor Jim Ryan, who highlighted that the initiative had been unsuccessful in accessing funding under the latest round of the Community Recognition Fund, as well as other funding sources previously. Thurles Tourism Office had submitted an application for the latest round of the scheme for their tourism bus for the town, which would see visitors to the area picked up at the train station and driven around to see the sights in the area, such as Holycross Abbey, the Rock of Cashel, and Cormackstown Museum before being dropped back to their accommodation in the county or to the train station so they can continue their journey. Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Ryan said that the idea behind the scheme is aiming to make tourism in Tipperary easier to access. "The thinking behind it is to make it easier for people to come to Thurles, just get the train, they will be transported around various local tourist attractions and brought back to their accommodation and back to the train station,' he outlined. "In my opinion it's a no-brainer, it would be a game-changer regarding local tourism if they were successful in getting funding for it,' the independent councillor added. Questioning where the Thurles Tourist Office go from here with regards to accessing funding, the local councillor outlined that the project had been turned down under various funding streams in the past. "Could it be some sort of link up with yourselves [Tipperary County Council] and the Tourist Office in Thurles regarding that project because something that I believe strongly is tourism and if there's something there to help it, and bring tourism to the Thurles area I think we should be supporting it. "It's very disappointing for them that year after year they keep applying for various funding streams and they keep getting turned down,' he added. 'Could there be a joint partnership between the Thurles Tourism Office and the tourism section of the county council, maybe they come up with funding and the county council come up and match the funding, at this stage they've really gone for every single stream of funding,' Cllr Ryan said. Councillors were informed at the meeting that the matter would come down to tourism budgets, which are set out in advance, but that members from the tourism section would talk to the head of the section to review the budget to see if there's any scope to get the scheme up and running for 2026.
Irish Independent
06-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Spending pretty penny to upgrade Oriel Park toilets
Local public representatives have welcomed the funding which was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD as part of €17 million national package to support 212 community projects that assist areas which have welcomed new arrivals in recent years. Louth County Council has received €101,000 for the development of the Muirhevnamor District Park and €100,069 for the installation of accessible, natural play equipment in Ardee Community Park. Dundalk Football Club have received €69,261 for the upgrade of toilets at Oriel Park while St. Mary's GAA, Ardee have been allocated €86,955 for a drainage system. Naomh Fionnbarra and St. Anne's GFG, Drumcar have received €97,255 to upgrade their walking track. The Louth Volunteer Centre has bee given €69,995 to purchase a community bus. The Old Drogheda Society CLG have been allocated €50,600 for enhancement works to Millmount Governor's House and the Dunleer Community Development Board have received €107,207 to upgrade the heating system in Dunleer Market House. Dundalk Tidy Towns will be carrying out enhancement works at the Demesne thanks to a €57,885 allocation. The funding was welcomed by Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly who said it 'highlights the government's commitment to support local communities to be more inclusive and resilient.' 'I am delighted to see this funding for nine projects in Louth as part of the Community Recognition Fund. This funding has enabled communities to be more inclusive by improving community facilities and community spaces. This funding will enable our communities to become more inclusive, resilient and sustainable places in which to live and raise a family, to visit and to socialise'. 'Across Louth there will be major investment supporting a diverse range of projects. Overall, across Ireland we'll see over €17 million to deliver 212 community projects. 'I want to congratulate the community groups who have been the driving force behind the successful applications and look forward to seeing the completed projects.' 'This funding will go right to the heart of our communities, delivering real benefits and enhancements to amenities across Louth and Meath,' said Fianna Fail TD Erin McGreehan.
Irish Independent
06-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Johnstown in Meath 'left behind' as new Navan community centre secures funding
Meath County Council's planned community centre at Cluain Adain is set to receive €400,000 under the 2025 Community Recognition Fund. In total, four projects across Meath have been awarded €696,496, as part of a national package of €17m for 212 community initiatives across the country. The scheme supports communities that have welcomed new arrivals in recent years. Senator Linda Nelson Murray welcomed the funding for Cluain Adain, but noted the ongoing demand for more community infrastructure in Navan. 'Navan is really struggling for community buildings, we don't have enough places for the elderly to go and be together, we don't have enough places for the youth to go, so the fact there is going to be a new community building built near Clauin Adain, which is a brand new housing estate, is very welcome news,' she said. 'However, I think we need more community centres; one in the Johnstown area, and one in the centre of the town.' Her call was echoed by Independent Councillor Alan Lawes, who said Johnstown has been overlooked for too long. 'Any new community centre is always welcome but people in Johnstown feel left behind. The town has about 12,000 people living in it but there's still no community centre,' said Cllr Lawes. 'We have clubs like boxing or dancing clubs with no home. All these community groups have nowhere to call home….they need somewhere to call home. Every population should have one.' Meanwhile Minister for Education and Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, also welcomed the announcement. 'This investment will empower our communities to become more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, making them better places to live, raise families, and socialise,' she said on a post on social media. Ms McEntee added: 'Congratulations to the community groups in Meath listed who have been the driving force behind the successful applications. I look forward to seeing the completed projects and the benefits they will bring to our local communities.' The four Meath projects to receive funding under the scheme are: Meath County Council's new community building in Cluain Adain (€400,000) Flexibus, Navan, for a new wheelchair-accessible bus (€146,496) Ashbourne and District Community Council CLG (€80,000) Cushinstown Athletic Club, Duleek, for facility upgrades (€70,000).
