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Our Rural Future Roadshow: Minister Humphreys visits County Cork to open rural development projects

  • Over €2.9 million in funding for rural development projects
  • Works commence on new state of the art library in Kinsale

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has visited County Cork to open a series of new rural development projects as part of a nationwide tour to promote Our Rural Future.

Our Rural Future is the government’s new rural development strategy, which aims to revitalise towns and villages, promote remote working, and ensure balanced regional development.

One of the Minister’s first engagements was to mark the official commencement of works on the new state of the art library in Kinsale.

The project received €2.1 million from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).

Speaking at the site in Kinsale, the Minister said:

“I was delighted to be able approve an investment of over €2.1 million through my Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for this project.

“When completed, this library will offer quality digital facilities to support small local businesses, tourists and locals requiring these facilities for work or leisure.

“It will also have a strong cultural, community and educational role particularly in the area of digital literacy while also preserving a listed building that is an essential part of the historic fabric of Kinsale town.”

Also as part of the tour of the county, Minister Humphreys:

  • Opened Argideen Amenity Walkway, in Timoleague, which will now have suitable signage, a mapboard at start point and information boards at points of interest along the route.
  • Visited Michael Collins House in Clonakilty, the museum established by Cork County Council in 2016 to celebrate the history and heritage associated with Michael Collins.
  • Visited the Amenity Walkway at Warren Beach, Rosscarbery. This project aims to repair the damage caused to the walkway from a landslide.
  • Turned the Sod for the Leap Amenity Park, which will include a viewing platform, landscaping, wild flower garden, walkways & raised seating area; and
  • Launched the Mobile Festival Marquee, Skibbereen, which will be a multi-use venue for events in towns & villages in West Cork.

The Minister then went on to:

  • Visit Durrus Village Public Realm improvements, which include the provision of footpaths, safety measures and heritage boards;
  • Officially open Béicín Amenity Walkway, which involves the upgrade and repair of the Foreshore Walk; and
  • Visit Riverside Walkway, Glengarriff, which involves the renewing and upgrading the existing walkways and the creation of a new riverside walk.

The Minister also travelled to Bere island where she;

  • Visited Wild Atlantic Glamping the first glamping site on Bere island; and
  • Bere Island Heritage Centre, which is a multipurpose centre for community activities on the island, it tells the story of the island, it has a shop and small café.

The Minister’s visit to the county concluded with the official opening of a project at Beara Breifne, Castletownbere. This project involved the upgrade of the Beara Breifne Way from the tip of the Beara Peninsula to the Charleville area.

Speaking about visit, the Minister said:

“It has been great to be back in Cork again to see first-hand how investment from my Department is supporting our rural communities.

“Our Rural Future is all about reimagining and revitalising rural Ireland, particularly as we come out of COVID-19.

“The kind of projects that my Department is delivering in conjunction with Cork County Council will benefit communities for generations to come.

“They will also play a major role in boosting tourism in Cork, as well as acting as significant economic assets in the county.”

ENDS

Notes to editor:

Please find full details of the investments and projects launched/visited as part of the Minister’s engagements in Cork.

Investment amounts and funding schemes

  • The Kinsale Library was approved for funding of €2,157,375 from the first call for Category 1 applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
  • Argideen Amenity Walkway, in Timoleague, received €13,280 under Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme
  • Amenity Walkway at Warren Beach, Rosscarbery, received €20,000 under Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme
  • Turned the Sod for the Leap Amenity Park, received €85,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme
  • The Mobile Festival Marquee, Skibbereen, received €18,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme
  • Durrus Village Public Realm improvements , received €60,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme
  • Béicín Amenity Walkway, received €160,000 under Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme
  • Riverside Walkway, Glengarriff received €100,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme
  • Wild Atlantic Glamping received € 151,254.47 under the LEADER programme
  • Phase 1 Beana Breifne, Castletownbere received €158,035 under Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme

Rural Regeneration and Development

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is a commitment of €1 billion by government to be invested in rural Ireland over the period 2019 to 2027.

In total the Fund has now provided over €249m for 164 projects across Ireland, worth a total of €338m.

RRDF funding of €12,813,227 has been approved to date for 15 projects located in Cork.

The Town & Village Renewal Scheme

The Town & Village Renewal Scheme provides funding for projects that make our towns and villages more attractive and sustainable. Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, almost €93 million has been allocated to more than 1,300 projects across Ireland. The Scheme has supported settlements the length and breadth of the country.

Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure. It also provides support for the necessary repair, maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland.

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