Minister Calleary reopens the newly refurbished Lourdes Parish Hall on Seán MacDermott Street, Dublin
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 15 April 2026
- Last updated on: 15 April 2026
- €770,000 provided under the Community Recognition Fund for refurbishment of Lourdes Parish Hall
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today (Wednesday, 15 April 2026) officially reopened the newly refurbished Lourdes Parish Hall in Seán McDermott Street, Dublin.
In 2023, Dublin City Council was allocated €770,000 under the Government’s Community Recognition Fund to refurbish Lourdes Parish Hall.
With the upgrades now completed, the hall is used by Lourdes Day Care Centre who offer activities for the elderly, including arts and crafts, knitting, bingo, and social outings. It is also home to the Francesca Arkins Dance Academy and Dublin One Force Taekwon Do Club.
Speaking at the reopening, Minister Calleary said:
“I am delighted to see the extensive work that has been completed through the €770,000 in funding that was provided through the Community Recognition Fund towards the external and internal refurbishment of this much needed community facility, and I would like to express my thanks to everyone who has made this possible.
“The Community Recognition Fund was introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Communities, like those here in Seán Mac Dermott Street and the inner city, where huge efforts have been made to integrate new arrivals into our community.”
The Community Recognition Fund has provided some €100 million to support a range of projects in villages, towns and cities which have welcomed new arrivals.
Projects supported through the fund include the refurbishment of community facilities, like Lourdes Parish Hall, in addition to children’s play spaces and sensory spaces, the provision of and enhancement of recreational trails and sports facilities, and transport supports for communities across the country.
Almost 1,000 projects approved under the fund have now been completed and communities nationwide are enjoying the benefits that this funding has delivered. Significant progress is being made on the remaining projects, the majority of which will be completed this year.
Minister Calleary added:
“The refurbishment works completed here in Lourdes Parish have not only addressed the long-standing structural issues but have also significantly expanded the hall’s available space and usability.
“I very much welcome the addition of the upstairs modern kitchen and studio, alongside increased storage space. The hall can now host a wider range of activities and events which I am sure is great news for the wider community and I would encourage everyone to make full use of this fantastic facility.
“I think it is fitting that the 2023 Community Recognition Fund approvals were announced here in May 2023 and that we are here again today to officially open one of those approved projects. I want to close by wishing the committee here in Lourdes Parish Hall and indeed all the visitors to the centre all the best for the future."
Notes:
Community Recognition Fund
- The Community Recognition Fund (CRF) was introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. €100 million was allocated to support cities, towns, and villages across the country.
- Under the 2023 iteration of the scheme, Dublin City Council had 30 projects approved worth over €2.39 million.
- Under the 2024 iteration of the scheme, Dublin City Council have been approved over €2.1 million for 22 projects, which brings the total amount allocation to Dublin City Council to over €4.5 million.