Boost for three Offaly village renewal plans

Three Offaly projects are to receive a total of €450,000 in Town and Village Renewal funding.

The projects are in Killeigh, Ballyboy and Clonbullogue.

The allocations came as part of €18.5m national funding announced by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The largest single allocation in Offaly, of €250,000, goes to a project to establish a remote working hub in Killeigh as part of a proposed new community centre.

The funding will go towards the refurbishment of vacant Macra Hall, Killeigh, into a modern remote working hub as part of a multifunctional community space serving Killeigh village and its surrounding hinterlands.

Another €100,000 allocation is being directed at a plan in Ballyboy to develop a green space and recreational area in the village centre, including landscaped area with seating, lighting and amenity car parking area.

And a proposal to create a “People’s Park” at the river amenity in Clonbullogue village and complete a safe bridge link forming a looped River Walk accessible to all is also being funded to the tune of €100,000

Welcoming the funding announcements for Laois and Offaly, Minister of State Senator Pippa Hackett said:

“Some really interesting Laois-Offaly initiatives are being funded under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme. You have digital hubs in Killeigh, Killeshin, and Mountrath, a men’s shed in Knock and the looped river walk in Clonbullogue. This mix says we want enterprise, activity, and recreation in our towns. Our people are coming up with the ideas and as the only cabinet minister from the region, I’m glad to see this Government supporting them.”