Boost for five County Cavan projects

COMMUNITY €1.1m shared between Cootehill, Mullagh, Ballyconnell, Virginia, and Ballinagh

Five Cavan towns are to share in over €1.1 million in funding to help enhance community spaces.

The investment will see projects advance in Cootehill, Mullagh, Ballyconnell, Virginia, and Ballinagh, with a particular focus on community spaces, walking tracks and outdoor amenities.

The money was allocated by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Cootehill received the maximum level of investment of €500,000. This will see the former Bank of Ireland Building transformed into a remote working enterprise hub with a multi-community space and green space.

Mullagh received €225,240 for the enhancement and extension of the public amenity at Mullagh’s Sports Centre grounds.

Ballyconnell received €142,810 for the development of a heritage walking trail, equipped with outdoor lighting, street furniture and solar powered bins.

Virginia received €129,440 for a project that improve the aesthetics of the centre of Virginia town through the installation of benches, planters, bins and fencing.

Ballinagh received €50,000 to develop a proposal for a food hub facility for Cavan.

Cavan projects also benefited from two other strands of funding that were part of this week’s package.

Firstly, in Ballinagh, Minister Humphreys revealed that the former B+F Stores and Market House has been acquired by Cavan County Council for use as a multi-purpose community space and remote working hub.

This is part of the Building Acquisition Initiative, which sees the Department provide up to €400,000 per each local authority to re-purpose other buildings and give them a new lease of life.

Secondly, businesses in Ballyconnell will now be able to carry out works as part of the €2.6 million Streetscapes Enhancement Initiative.

This will see €100,000 being made available to businesses in Ballyconnell to upgrade their shopfronts and building facades, or purchase the likes of hanging baskets and street furniture.

“This is all about breathing new life into our rural communities," said Minister Humphreys.

“It’s about taking old buildings and giving them a new lease of life.

“And it’s about rejuvenating the centre of our towns by developing, town parks, community gardens and walking facilities for the benefit of local families.

“This investment today will be such a huge boost to the towns and villages in Cavan that benefit.”