Minister Calleary turns sod on new €2m Community Centre in Rylane, Co. Cork
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 1 December 2025
- Last updated on: 1 December 2025
- Construction of a new build single-storey facility on a greenfield site in Rylane village
- Funding from the Department’s Community Centre Investment Fund
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has today (Saturday, 29 November 2025) turned the sod for the construction to commence on a new community centre in the village of Rylane in Co. Cork. This project, with a total cost of €2m, is to receive funding of €1.8m from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht under the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF).
CCIF provides investment for improvement and refurbishment of community centres, as well as the development of new centres where such a need is identified. Since 2022, over €110 million has been provided for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing centres and for the construction of new facilities where such a need has been identified.
Since the fund was established in 2022, over €10.7 million has been allocated to almost 190 projects in Co. Cork.
Speaking today in Rylane, Minister Calleary said:
“I am delighted to be here today in Rylane as we turn the sod for construction to start on this wonderful centre. This new community space will include a multipurpose community hall, meeting rooms, a community dining area and a range of services to support greater community use.
“My Department is providing up to €1.8 million for this facility. This project will provide a range of locally based social, recreational, cultural, civic and educational activities as well as opportunities for people to volunteer, which is at the heart of community life.”
Minister Calleary concluded:
“I want to commend the community here in Rylane who, with support from IRD Duhallow, will now realise their ambition to see this project become a reality. This development will support the community in becoming more sustainable and resilient and will provide much needed space for the people of Rylane and indeed further afield.
“I also want to acknowledge my colleague in the Department, Minister of State Jerry Buttimer, who I know worked very closely with IRD Duhallow on this and other projects.
“I very much look forward to returning in the not-too-distant future to see the centre completed. It will no doubt be transformative for the wider community for generations to come.”
Notes
The Community Centres Investment Fund - New Build Measure invests in new build multi-functional community centres with a minimum grant of €1,000,000 up to a maximum of €6,000,000.
12 projects were approved in April 2024 with associated funding of over €30m.
Further details on all programmes administered by the Department can be found at www.gov.ie/drcdg