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Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, today (Wednesday, 19 July) visited Boyle, Co Roscommon, to officially open the Boyle Regeneration project. This project has provided a community, cultural and business hub in the town’s previously vacant Royal Hotel and the development of a new River Promenade which includes outdoor space for events and performances.
The project, funded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, with match funding provided by Roscommon County Council has been delivered at an overall cost of €3.4 million.
The investment comes as part of the government’s commitment to the revitalisation of rural towns under its Rural Development Policy, Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy which aim to bring more people, business and investment opportunities to Irish towns.
Roscommon County Council were awarded funding of over €2.5 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to deliver the project.
Speaking at today’s opening in Boyle, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted to be here today to officially open the Boyle Regeneration project. This fantastic facility will serve the town with community and cultural facilities as well as providing business opportunities to the local community.
“Boyle Regeneration, which is part of the larger Boyle 2040 masterplan, will be transformative for the town of Boyle and its surrounding communities. By repurposing a previously vacant building, this project has breathed new life into the town and will help attract further investment in the area.”
The Minister continued:
“With investment of over €2.5 million from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, this project demonstrates the commitment of my department in supporting projects which promote sustainable, inclusive communities and I must congratulate Roscommon County Council and their project partners on delivery of such a fantastic project.”
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It offers a blueprint for a thriving and inclusive rural Irelands and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. In total the Fund has now provided over €402 million for 215 projects across Ireland, worth a total of €551 million.
In relation to projects in County Roscommon, the Fund has provided €16.9 million for 12 projects worth a total of almost €21.5 million.
Town Centre First contains 33 unique actions which will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live, work, visit and run a business. Town Regeneration Officers in all relevant Local Authority areas are being funded by DRCD to drive forward Town Centre First on a local level.
The policy also contains a range of actions designed to achieve key objectives such as social and economic revival in towns, the provision of housing, as well as addressing challenges like vacancy and derelict buildings. The actions also support the protection of our environment, as well as the heritage and culture of our country.