Five Laois recipients of €12,500 in awards from local credit union
€5,000 for Durrow National School among Laois awards at ceremony hosted by RTÉ’s Maura Derrane
Five Laois applicants including two Laois schools have shared €12,500 of funding from their local credit union.
Schools and community groups from Mountrath, Durrow, Borris-in-Ossory and Castletown have been granted donations from St Canice’s Credit Union.
The Kilkenny based credit union has branches in Laois.
Castletown ICA received €500, Mountrath Community School €2,000, Durrow & District Pipe Band €2,500, St Joseph’s NS Borris-in-Ossory €2,500 and Our Lady’s Meadow NS Durrow €5,000.
Maura Derrane of RTÉ was the host at the awards evening, which saw a total of €150,000 given to 49 organisations in Kilkenny, Carlow and Laois, through its 2026 Community Connect Fund.
The event also featured a panel discussion, chaired by Maura Derrane, exploring the importance of volunteerism, inclusion and community leadership. Panellists included David Malone, CEO of the Irish League of Credit Unions; David Denieffe, Chief Operations Officer at South East Technological University; and Mary Pat Murphy, Communications and Engagement Coordinator with SOS Kilkenny.
A particularly powerful example of the long-term impact of Community Connect funding was shared by Mary Pat Murphy.
SOS Kilkenny was previously awarded funding through the programme to establish a Dementia Café in Kilkenny in 2025, creating a social and support network for people living with dementia, their families and carers.
What began as a monthly initiative has since expanded to fortnightly gatherings, providing a valuable community service. The project highlighted how local investment can help transform an idea into a sustainable initiative with a lasting impact.
Since 2017, the Community Connect Fund has invested almost €900,000 in local initiatives, supporting approximately 185 organisations across Kilkenny, Carlow and Laois.