‘Rooted and Growing’ – Minister Calleary opens over €1m in Roscommon projects

Minister Calleary opened over €1m in projects across Roscommon.
Ballymoe Slipway received €180,000 for cycling and kayaking facilities.
Ballintober Community Park received almost €100,000 in TVRS funding.
Castleplunkett playground received €250,000 in TVRS funding.
Growing Tree 4 childcare received €500,000 in Community Recognition Fund funding.

Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary has visited County Roscommon to officially open over €1m worth of community projects across the county. The Minister began the day at Strokestown Park House, addressing the ‘Rooted and Growing’ conference on the therapeutic value of nature in healthcare and community settings. He then travelled to Kilbride to address the Roscommon LEADER Partnership Showcase Event, ‘LEADER through the Years’, marking 35 years of the programme in the county.

The Minister officially opened the Ballymoe Slipway at Dundermot, funded through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme with a €180,000 grant for cycling and kayaking facilities along the River Suck, including a wheelchair-accessible jetty. He opened Ballintober Community Park, supported by almost €100,000 in Town and Village Renewal Scheme funding and two rounds of CLÁR funding. A new playground in Castleplunkett was delivered through €250,000 in TVRS funding, and a new walkway at Lord Edwards GAA Club in Tulsk was supported by €50,000 of CLÁR funding.

The final engagement was the opening of The Growing Tree 4 childcare facility in Ballaghaderreen, supported by €500,000 in Community Recognition Fund funding for the conversion of a derelict building into a purpose-built early years facility with capacity for up to 70 children. Since 2016, over €210m has been allocated to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for over 1,900 projects nationwide.

Minister Dara Calleary shared, “The LEADER programme has been a cornerstone of rural development policy in Ireland since being introduced by European Commissioner Ray MacSharry 35 years ago. Your vision for adventure tourism and safe trails builds a lasting, accessible legacy. You protect our environment while opening it up to all.”