€459,755 in CLÁR 2024 funding for 12 County Longford community projects

Funding for community facilities and amenities announced by Minister Heather Humphreys

Press Release: Monday, 11 November 2024 

Longford County Council is delighted to confirm €459,775 in CLÁR 2024 funding for projects in County Longford, as announced recently by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD. 

The CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and forms part of the Government's ambitious five-year policy for rural Ireland, Our Rural Future. CLÁR is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects in designated rural areas. 

CLÁR funding works in conjunction with local funding and on the basis of locally identified priorities. Longford County Council will support these projects by contributing up to a further 5% in funding. 

Under Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities, sports clubs, schools, and community groups will receive grant aid of up to €50,000 to develop a range of projects that will benefit people of all ages and abilities. The successful projects across the County include resurfacing sports courts, accessibility improvements to sports facilities, the provision of community centre heating, outdoor sensory spaces and gardens, community walkways, accessible toilets, and car parking facilities. All of these projects will be open to public. 

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey welcomed the funding. "It is great to see this announcement of CLÁR 2024 funding for 12 worthwhile projects including sports facilities, community centres and sensory spaces. I commend the time and effort our local schools and community groups invested in their ideas and proposals and wish all applicants every success in the delivery of their projects."

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, "Longford County Council welcomes this funding. These projects will have a really positive impact on the lives of our communities and a wide range of age groups across County Longford and the Council will support them in delivering their projects."

List of groups in County Longford benefitting from Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities funding:

  • Abbeylara Parish Centre - Installation of a stage curtain system, supply and fit steel structure and ancillary works - €45,000
  • Ballymahon GAA - Construct a community walkway, replace fencing and the planting of trees, shrubs and hedgerow - €44,863
  • Carrickedmond GAA - Stand Improvements - €50,000 
  • Clonbronney Parish Hall Committee - Renovate the toilet facilities in the parish hall - €9,449
  • Colmcille GFC - Tarmac and line the carpark - €49,725
  • Granard Community Centre - Install heating and cooling units, ductwork, piping and control systems - €46,958
  • Killoe Community Group - Create an outdoor sensory space, a biodiverse garden and improve access to the existing exercise area at Killoe Community Walkway & Exercise Garden - €28,719
  • Leebeen Park Development CLG - Tarmac and line the two car parks at the facility - €27,900
  • Lisryan & District Development Committee - Create a sensory garden in a designated area of community park - €17,929
  • Longford County Council - Resurface tennis and basketball courts, replace fencing and tennis net at Higginstown, Granard - €45,449
  • Moyne Community School - Provision of a sensory garden, polytunnel, raised beds, benches, pathways - €49,094
  • Newtowncashel Gun Club - The provision of a wheelchair accessible toilet block with septic tank and associated filter system - €44,690