Coolagh, Muckalee, Galmoy and Windgap share €120,000 in Our Rural Future grants

Four Kilkenny communities are to share grants totalling €120,553, under the Our Rural Future programme.

Projects in Coolagh, Glamoy, Muckalee and Windgap have been selected as part of €6.2 million in funding for schools, community and sports facilities nationwide, it was revealed today (Friday).

Announcing the details of funding, Minister Heather Humphreys said the funding is being provided under the 2023 CLÁR Programme and is all about ensuring that rural communities benefit from projects that will make them more vibrant places to live, work and visit.

The Kilkenny works will see improvements to rural facilites including a community hall, sports area and parking.

The largest grant for a rural community in Kilkenny is €45,000 which has been allocated for upgrade works outside the Community Hall in Coolagh, near Callan. The work will include completing works on the car park, including a picnic area, signage and lighting.

A multi use games area is to be installed in Glamoy with a grant of €30,000.

In Muckalee phase two of the public lighting scheme has been funded to the tune of €24,750.

Congratulating the community on their successful application Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick said it was important to see phase two of the village lighting scheme completed. It will transform the area, he added.

€20,788 has been granted to Windgap Tidy Towns to provide a tarmac surface at Windgap Lake car park.

Councillor Joe Lyons welcomed the news, saying the funding will keep life and vibrancy across rural Ireland.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Michael Doyle, T.D., expressed his appreciation. "This funding is a further commitment and investment from the Government in supporting rural Ireland. It is a boost for rural communities and sports facilities in County Kilkenny, improving the overall quality of life."

This announcement builds upon the €174,916 grant announced in December 2023 for County Kilkenny under the CLÁR programme. Recipients of this funding included Tullogher Rosbercon GAA Club, Muckalee Football Club, Kilmoganny GAA Club, and St. Martin's GAA Club, Coon.

Nationally, the funding, under the 2023 CLÁR Programme, will support the delivery of 152 projects including astro-turf pitches, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks nature trails, outdoor performance spaces and community cafés.

“All of this investment is being delivered under our rural development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’, which is having a transformational impact right across Rural Ireland," said Minister Humphries.