Minister Calleary announces €12.3 million for 206 projects under the under the 2025 CLÁR programme
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 28 November 2025
- Last updated on: 28 November 2025
- Investment in sports clubs and community facilities nationwide
- Funding for playgrounds, astro-turf pitches, walking tracks, spectator stands and upgrades of community centres
- Specific funding for Gaeltacht areas and our islands
During a visit to Kiltimagh Knock Utd. soccer club in County Mayo, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today (Friday, 28 November 2025) announced €12.3 million to deliver 206 community projects under the 2025 CLÁR programme. Kiltimagh Knock United are receiving just over €50,000 for a new 2-bay spectator stand.
Among the other projects being funded include:
- County Clare – Bridgetown: Funding of €100,000 for the construction of a new astro turf pitch at Bridge Celtic AFC & Bridgetown national school.
- County Cork – Newmarket: Funding of €100,000 to Newmarket Sports & Leisure to resurface the trail in Island Wood.
- County Galway – Inis Meáin: Funding of €49,808 to Comhlact Forbartha Inis Meáin for the development of a playground at Inis Meáin community centre.
- County Mayo – Clare Island: Funding of €22,958 for the provision of a generator at Clare Island Community Centre.
- County Leitrim – Drumshanbo: Funding of €99,671 for enhancement works at Sliabh an Iarainn visitor’s centre.
- County Monaghan – Clones: Funding of €100,000 for a community gym and spectator stand at Currin GFC.
- County Sligo – Ballintogher: Funding of €100,000 for refurbishment of the community playground.
- County Wicklow – Tinahely: Funding of €100,000 for the development of a new community gym in Ballymanus.
Speaking today, Minister Calleary said:
“The CLÁR programme continues to provide vital support in some of our most remote rural areas. These projects help build strong resilient and vibrant communities through the enhancement of existing community facilities and the provision of new amenities to support young and old across a range of services.
“Today’s announcement of over €12 million will see 206 projects being delivered in communities across the country and on our offshore Islands. I was particularly pleased to include a specific provision for projects in Gaeltacht areas this year. These projects will no doubt make a valuable contribution to the people who live in and visit these communities.
“With today’s announcement, I have now allocated €14 million to projects under CLAR this year – the highest allocation since the scheme was reintroduced in 2016. The funding continues to grow as we see the huge impact this funding has in our rural areas.”
Details of the 206 projects announced today are available here. The funding announced today is in respect of Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities & Measure 3: Our Living Islands. Funding under Measure 2 was announced earlier in the year.
Note
CLÁR 2025
The CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme provides funding for small scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.
The scheme was re-opened in 2016 to support the development of remote rural areas through small-scale capital projects involving collaboration between local authorities (LAs) and communities, as well as for other community-based organisations.
Areas targeted under the CLÁR Programme are parts of counties: Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, and Waterford, Westmeath, Wicklow and all of County Leitrim.
A national map of CLÁR areas, together with individual county maps, is available: here
The measures being funded under the 2025 CLÁR programme are:
- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities (applications via local authorities)
- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport (applications direct to DRCD)
- Measure 3: 'Our Living Islands' (applications direct to DRCD)