Three County Wicklow projects are to benefit from funding of €310,000 under the Government’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme as part of Our Rural Future which focuses on initiatives to bring town centres back to life.
The three are Wicklow Town, Ballinaclash and Donard. The announcement was welcomed today (Friday) by Cllr Shay Cullen, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council.
Funding of €221,000 has been awarded for a project to link Wicklow town centre to the port through its laneways. The aim of the project is to reanimate and revitalise the important links between the harbour, the Main Street and the Market Square while at the same time highlighting Wicklow’s heritage.
Following recent training provided by Wicklow County Council on place making, the community of Wicklow town have reimagined a public space and are working towards its fruition.
Ballinaclash has a vision of developing into a vibrant and attractive village and has been awarded funding of €63,000 to renovate and repurpose the community centre to meet the needs of the community, both present and future and to make sure that the centre is inclusive to people of all abilities. This funding will enable the centre to offer remote working facilities and improved community activities for all.
West Wicklow also benefitted from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Funding is awarded to the Donard community who have identified an opportunity to revitalise their village through developing a coffee shop in the community centre for visitors and residents.
The positive social impacts would be immediate as “the Meeting Place” will provide an essential hub not just for the town residents and the surrounding environs but also to the tourists who enjoy staying at the nearby caravan park and those involved in outdoor trails.
Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Shay Cullen, said: “I would like to thank the staff of Wicklow County Council and in particular the staff of Wicklow Municipal District who worked with such enthusiasm on this application to secure the funding. I must also pay tribute to Wicklow Town Team for the initiative shown by the members in assisting with the Wicklow application. “
Mr Brian Gleeson, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, also welcomed the funding saying “the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is another great example of what can be achieved when community groups work together with Wicklow County Council, and I encourage all Town Teams and communities to get involved in these schemes and work with us to make Wicklow a better place to visit and to live.”