Welcome funding boost for Laois towns and villages

Funding of over €950,000 has been approved for projects to improve towns and villages across Laois. 

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme funding will benefit projects in Ballinakill, Mountmellick, Portarlington, Ballyroan and Abbeyleix.  

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys announced over €27 million in funding nationally, the largest spend to date, to combat dereliction and breathe new life into rural towns and villages.

The largest beneficiary in Laois was Portarlington, where €500,000 has been allocated for the Portarlington landscape masterplan.

The masterplan was published by Laois County Council in 2020. Under the plan, the park would get wildflower meadows, an adventure woodland trail, a riverside meadow, a central plaza focal point, an overhauled playground as well as new access to the River Barrow.

Pictured above: A drawing of the  Portarlington masterplan

Ballinakill secured the second largest funding sum with €250,000 allocated for the development of Ballinakill Amenity Park and outdoor swimming pool. It includes provision of a multi use games area including floodlights, pool upgrade through lining and waterproofing and accessible parking with a drop zone to accommodate increased visitor numbers.

Pictured above: Ballinakill outdoor swimming pool

Abbeyleix was included in the funding of up to €100,000 in the Streetscapes Enhancement Initiative. 

Under the initiative, retailers and property owners will be provided with grants that they can use to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork or install features such as street furniture or canopies.

This scheme allowed funding of up to €100,000 provided to one town per local authority. 

Elsewhere, Mountmellick secured €67,500  for a project. The project will enhance car parking at Mountmellick Community Arts Centre to include resurfacing of accessible parking facilities, in addition to the installation of smart benches and bike stands.

In Ballyroan, €50,000 has been allocated to undertake a feasibility study to determine the potential future uses of the vacant/derelict former old boys school in Ballyroan village. The school fell into disrepair after it closed five years ago. 

Above: An image of the inside of the school in Ballyroan.

Meanwhile, Carlow is getting €250,000 for Graiguecullen Enhancement of the public realm in Graiguecullen through the creation of a Multi Activity Zone in the Millennium Park in the area of the Laois town managed by the Carlow local authority.

This will include outdoor dining spaces, integration of smart benches, enhanced parking facilities and upgrade of former play area to provide an interactive engagement zone for families.

Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys said:  “This is all about tackling the scourge of vacancy and dereliction in our rural towns and villages. 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 public plazas, town parks, community gardens and sports facilities for the benefit of local families,” she said. 

Blueprint in pipeline to develop Laois Offaly amenity as a 'must visit' location

Minister Humphreys  said: “This investment today will breathe new life into rural towns and villages across every single county.”

“It’s the largest ever investment under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and demonstrates my passion and ambition for our rural communities,” she added.