Minister Calleary opens €12.7 million in community facilities

Minister for Rural and Community Development And the Gaeltacht Mr Dara Calleary TD visited Cavan on Thursday, where he officially opened community infrastructure projects representing an investment of over €12.69 million by his Department and Cavan County Council.

Visiting impactful and transformative projects across County Cavan, Minister Calleary was accompanied by Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council Cllr John Paul Feeley as he turned the sod on the Ballyjamesduff Community and Enterprise Hub, located on the iconic former Percy French Hotel site, that received a grant of €7,651,195 under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).

The Minister also officially opened a €669,832 enhancement project at Con Smith Park, Cavan Town, which received €500,000 in funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, before cutting the ribbon on the iconic and newly restored footbridge at Killykeen Forest Park, which was funded through a €323,120 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme Grant alongside a €204,095 investment by Cavan County Council.

In Ballyconnell, Minister Calleary officially opened the Market House – Community, Remote Working and Tourism Hub, a revitalising project which transformed a derelict town core property thanks to a €1,200,742 RRDF grant, supplemented by €169,825 in funding from the local authority.

Speaking as he officially opened the Natural Play Area at Dún an Rí Forest Park, Kingscourt, which received €451,292 in funding under his Department’s Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS), Minister Calleary said, “I am delighted to be here with you today in Kingscourt at Dún a Rí Forest Park to mark the official opening of this natural play area.  With over €625,000 in funding from my Department since 2018 for various works here under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, I think it is fair to say, this is money well spent. The benefit of Cavan County Council, Coillte and my Department working together, developing this wonderful amenity, is evident here today."

"To everyone involved in delivering this wonderful amenity, I commend the passion and commitment shown in your work. Projects like this are an example of how grassroots dedication, along with the engagement of the community, can have a positive impact for local people, businesses and tourism in the area.” Minister Calleary added.

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr John Paul Feeley hailed the support of Minister Calleary and his officials in supporting community facilities and rural infrastructure in County Cavan.

“I want to thank Minister Calleary and his Department for their investment in County Cavan. Today alone, we are visiting community facilities that have received an investment of over €8.9 million from his Department, supplemented by an investment of €1.9 million by Cavan County Council,” said Cllr Feeley.

“As I’m sure the Minister will agree, these are most worthy projects, finished to an exceptional standard, and I’d like to also acknowledge the staff of Cavan County Council and the local communities for their efforts in bringing these projects from the page to reality. I look forward to continued collaboration with Minister Calleary and his officials in the future as we work together to further improve community resources across the county.”

Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Mr Eoin Doyle, said “I am delighted to welcome Minister Calleary to Cavan to view the extraordinary results of his Department’s investment in County Cavan. I want to complement Director of Service Brendan Jennings, Senior Executive Officer John Donohoe and their team in Rural Development and Tourism, the local communities who rallied behind these projects, and our elected members whose support of these projects to the tune of over €2.5 million has allowed us to pursue this ambitious programme of community facility development”.