Ballynacargy, Moate and Raharney in line for €794,300 in support

Three Westmeath town are set to benefit from a scheme to boost economic and social vitality of rural towns and villages.

Ballynacargy, Moate and Raharney will receive funding allocations totalling €794,300 under the 2025 Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The funding is part of a €26 million national investment aimed at revitalising town and village centres, tackling vacancy and dereliction, and improving public spaces in rural communities.

Under the scheme Ballynacargy will receive €500,000 to regenerate the village core, including the redevelopment of the Square at the centre of the village, improved links to the Old Rail Trail Greenway and main street enhancements.

Moate has been allocated €294,300 to rejuvenate key public spaces, including Mill Harbour Square and the Station Road-Church Road junction, with works to include building façade improvements, seating, shopfronts, floral displays and amenity signage.

Raharney will also benefit from €18,000 to progress the transfer of lands and detailed design work to develop a new playground for the local community.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Robert Troy and Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke both welcomed the announcement.

Minister Burke said the funding represents a strong vote of confidence in Westmeath’s towns and villages: “This is very welcome investment for communities right across Westmeath. “Projects like those approved today in Ballynacargy, Moate and Raharney will help breathe new life into our town centres, encourage footfall and support local economic activity. They also strengthen the sense of pride people have in their communities.”

The Minister said the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key Government programme supporting economic and social regeneration in rural Ireland and continues to deliver meaningful improvements for local communities: “Strong, vibrant town centres are at the heart of rural Ireland. Continued Government support through schemes like this ensures our towns and villages remain attractive places to live, work, raise a family and do business.”

Minister Troy said: "This funding will allow for the rejuvenation of key public spaces, and important resources that will benefit the communities of Ballynacargy, Moate and Raharney in a tangible manner.”

The funding, which is provided under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), is being invested in projects that will rejuvenate town centres, drive economic growth and town footfall, combat dereliction and vacancy, develop pedestrian zones and outdoor spaces and boost tourism in rural Ireland.

€500,000 for the refurbishment and extension of a 1940’s community hall into a theatre, arts venue and market space in Mountshannon, Clare

€500,000 for the renovation of the 3-storey vacant Gaol Block to provide a visitor experience in the Historic & Cultural Quarter in Nenagh, Tipperary

€500,000 for the renovation of 2 vacant buildings into Community Café and Shop in Glenmore, Kilkenny

€500,000 for the redevelopment of the old ShinroneLibrary in Offaly into a modern multi-purpose community space

€300,000 for renovation of the Múseum ChorcaDhuibhne and community centre in the Gaeltacht area of Baile an Fheirtéaraigh

€300,000 for the regeneration of the Market Town Square in Ballinakill, Laois

€300,000 for the construction of a playground in Collon, Louth

Today’s announcement sees 77 projects deemed successful under the TVRS ‘Main Scheme’ receiving funding of €24.4 million. In addition, €1.85 million is being provided for 39 under the TVRS ‘Project Development Measure’.

This measure supports local authorities to develop a pipeline of projects and provides funding towards the costs to bring projects to a point where they are shovel ready.