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Minister Calleary officially opens Thomastown Community Library, Kilkenny
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
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- State of the art library building delivered through over €4 million in RRDF Funding in Thomastown
- Minister Calleary presided over a number of official openings during visit to Co. Carlow and Co. Kilkenny with investment totalling over €5 million
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, today (Thursday, 23 July 2026) officially opened the new Thomastown Community Library and visited a number of Department-supported regeneration and community projects across Counties Kilkenny and Carlow.
Supported by over €4 million in funding from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the new library provides a state-of-the-art facility that features dedicated spaces for adults, children and teenagers, ICT and digital spaces with access to 3D printing, and community spaces for workshops and classes throughout the year.
Speaking at the opening in Thomastown, Minister Calleary said:
“It is a pleasure to officially open Thomastown’s new state-of-the-art community library and to witness another important milestone in the revitalisation of this vibrant town.
“Our public libraries play a vital role in the community – providing a safe and welcoming educational space for people of all ages. Revitalising Thomastown through the creation of this new library and community space in the town centre, will allow Kilkenny Library Service to expand their delivery of significant cultural, educational and social benefits and to provide new opportunities for the community, now and for future generations to come.”
Earlier in the day, Minister Calleary visited Tullow to view town enhancement works supported through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS). The Department had approved almost €366,000 in funding to support the rejuvenation of Tullow town through improvements to the riverfront amenity area, St Austin's Well and biodiversity garden, the provision of signage, a virtual heritage trail and a paint scheme.
Next, Minister Calleary visited Clonegal, where TVRS funding of €99,000 was approved to support the village enhancement project. This included a paint scheme, improved signage, upgrades to the Heritage Centre and enhancements to Wicklow Way Park.
At Carrigduff, Minister Calleary officially opened the new refurbished playground delivered with €250,000 in TVRS funding. This funding has supported the creation of a new and increased area for play with modern, accessible and inclusive equipment for community enjoyment.
Speaking in Carrigduff, Minister Calleary said:
“This new playground creates opportunities – for children to play safely, for families to spend time together, for people of all ages and abilities to stay active, and for the wider community to connect and thrive.”
Continuing his visit in St. Mullins, Minister Calleary viewed the village enhancement project which included public realm upgrades, improvements to footpaths in the Pilgrim’s Park, a paint scheme and wayfinding signage. TVRS funding of €117,000 was approved to support this project.
Travelling on to Co. Kilkenny, Minister Calleary officially opened the TVRS and LEADER funded Outdoor Intergenerational Inclusion Hub and Playground. Funding of €250,000 through the TVRS, and €100,000 in LEADER funding supported the development of an outdoor intergenerational activity hub in the centre of Gowran. The amenity will be designed to enable people of all ages to socialise, exercise and play in an inclusive, stimulating and safe outdoor environment.
Opening the playground, Minister Calleary said:
“For many years Gowran did not have any dedicated playground or sporting area for local families, children and older residents to enjoy. People had to travel outside the town to access recreational facilities that many communities take for granted.
“Today, that has changed. Standing here today it is difficult to imagine that this was once a piece of wasteland, a former dump site that had been long neglected. Now you have a vibrant, welcoming and accessible community space that the people of Gowran can be immensely proud of.”
Notes
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF)
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major capital investment programme which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas, directly supporting the objectives of Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy.
Since the RRDF was established in 2018, funding of over €610 million has been approved for 270 projects nationwide, including over €11.7 million allocated to 9 projects located across Co. Kilkenny.
Town and Village Renewal Scheme
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) is one of several measures designed to rejuvenate Ireland's towns and villages. Since 2016, over €210 million has been allocated to support the delivery of over 1,900 projects nationwide. Of this, Carlow County Council has been allocated over €8 million in TVRS funding for 80 projects and Kilkenny County Council has been allocated over €7.6 million in TVRS funding for 68 projects.
National Public Library Strategy
The national public library strategy, ‘The Library is the Place’, was launched in July 2023. It is a 5-year plan for the period 2023-2027 which sets out the strategic context for further investment in library infrastructure, technology, programmes and services.
Funding of €3m for targeted Small-scale Capital Investment in public libraries was announced on 26th June 2026. This investment will support public libraries through four key measures: sensory equipment, accessibility upgrades; ICT and broadband speed enhancements; and upgrade of furniture and equipment.