- Minister Calleary opened the €3.4m Thurles Market Quarter.
- The Loughtagalla Biodiversity Play Park was opened in Thurles.
- Bunratty Search and Rescue launched its new vessel Rineanna.
- Lahinch Playground was officially opened.
- Corofin Community Centre received funding for accessibility and energy efficiency.
Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary has visited Tipperary and Clare to officially open a number of community facilities and regeneration projects supported by his Department. The Minister began the day in Thurles, where he opened the new Thurles Market Quarter, a regeneration project supported by more than €3.4m under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. The project has transformed a vacant 19th-century agricultural building and car park into a vibrant multi-purpose civic space, covered market and café space.
The Minister also opened the Loughtagalla Biodiversity Play Park, a community-led project supported by the LEADER Programme, the Community Climate Action Fund and Tipperary County Council. He opened Carrig Community Park, developed with support of €176,000 through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and visited St Ruadhan’s Hall and the SCEAL Community Shop and Café in Lorrha. Minister Calleary stated the projects demonstrate what can be achieved when local communities, local authorities and development organisations work together with Government.
In Clare, the Minister launched the Bunratty Search and Rescue’s new rescue vessel, Rineanna, alongside refurbishment works to the existing vessel SRK Saoirse. He opened the newly refurbished Lahinch Playground and launched the Clare Outdoor Recreation Plan. The day concluded with the official opening of Corofin Community Centre, which received Community Centre Investment Funding for improved accessibility, safety and energy efficiency. Since 2018, funding of over €610m has been approved for 270 RRDF projects nationwide.
Minister Dara Calleary shared, “This project has revitalised a key town-centre location, providing new opportunities for local enterprise, live music, cultural activities, family events, exhibitions and community gatherings.”
