Our Rural Future Roadshow: Minister Humphreys opens series of projects in Cavan funded under Our Rural Future

The Minister was in Cavan to officially open rural development projects funded by her Department as part of Our Rural Future.

Our Rural Future is the Government’s rural development strategy, which aims to revitalise towns and villages, promote remote working, and ensure balanced regional development.

The Minister’s engagements in the county were;

The official opening of Templeport Connected Hub.
Visit to Bawnboy, to see how funding from the Town and Village Renewal Scheme was used to paint streetscape façades.
Visit to Tullydermot Falls to see the Cuilcagh Experience tourism project supported by the LEADER programme.
Ballyconnell Market House to see progress the redevelopment of the former Market House
Official opening of the Ballyconnell to Bellaheady Recreational Trail
Launch of the “This is Cavan” tourism website in the Slieve Russell Hotel
Official opening of Shercock Playground and amenity area; and
The final leg of the whistle-stop tour of the county was in Gallonray House, Maudabawn for the launch the Cavan Broadband Connection Point Network.

Speaking about the importance of the Cavan Broadband Connection Point Network, the Minister said:

“I think we all know that there are rural parts of this county and indeed many others that continue to suffer from poor connectivity. And while the National Broadband Plan is picking up pace, we have had to find new ways of working and connecting with each other, especially in rural areas. And that’s why the BCP network is so important – it allows you to visit your local community centre, meet friends and neighbours and do some work, send emails or connect with other people. There are now 259 Public BCPs live and operational across the state. And this number will continue to increase over the coming months as we complete the roll-out of 300 sites. Of these 300 sites, 13 BCPs are planned for Cavan. Some 12 of these are live now and the most recently added site will be completed as quickly as possible.”

In concluding her visit to Cavan, Minister Humphreys said:

“This is all about getting out and seeing first-hand the projects that are being funded under our rural development policy, Our Rural Future. But above all, visits like these are an opportunity for me to say ‘thank you’ to the local communities.”

ENDS

Notes to editor:

Cavan Broadband Connection Points

Templeport Community Centre was awarded €24,500 under the 2021 Connected Hubs fund
Gallonray House was awarded €20,000 under the 2021 Connected Hubs fund
BCP’s in Cavan, 3 towns Bunnoe, Killenkere, Maudebawn (Gallonray House) received €40,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (accelerated measure) to equip three Broadband Connection Points in Cavan with video conferencing and IT equipment to allow communities to develop digital skills, to deliver IT training and facilitate remote working.

Tullydermot Falls (part of the LEADER funded Cuilcagh Experience Co-operation Project)

LEADER Grant Amount €98,160, primary aim is to increase tourism footfall to the region and create a more enhanced tourism offering.

Ballyconnell Market House

The Ballyconnell Market House project was approved for funding of €794,700 from the third call for Category 1 applications. The cost of the project is €883,000.
The project is led by Cavan County Council and the project partners are Ballyconnell and district development association, Cavan Monaghan ETB, Cavan LEO and Cavan County LDC.
The project will renovate and redevelop a heritage building, the former Market House located in the centre of Ballyconnell, into a Community, Remote Working and Tourism Hub.

Ballyconnell to Bellaheady Recreational Trail

Received and investment of almost €600,000 under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme to create a 5.5km walking and cycling trail from Ballyconnell, to Bellaheady Bridge along the Woodford River on the Shannon-Erne Waterway. Also associated accommodation works with trailheads at Ballyconnell on Waterways Ireland property and at Bellaheady on Cavan County Council property.

This is Cavan! Tourism website

Received €15,472 through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme to greatly improve the marketing tools available to Cavan Tourism to promote walking and cycling in the County.

Shercock Playground and amenity area

Received €40,000 under Town & Village Renewal Schmeme for the upgrade playground area, development of public amenity, landscaping lakeshore area.

Shercock also got €31,250 funding under the 2016 scheme for village enhancements, and €49,548 in 2020 for upgrades including seating, bus shelter, sculpture and landscaping.

Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure. It also provides support for the necessary repair, maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas across Ireland. ORIS provides funding for the development of new and existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural areas. It funds trails, cycleways, blueways, bridleways, outdoor amenities located near rivers, lakes and beaches.

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund is a commitment of €1 billion by government to be invested in rural Ireland over the period 2019 to 2027.

In total the Fund has now provided over €278 million for 191 projects across the country worth a total of €376 million.

To date, RRDF funding of €8.2 million has been approved for 9 projects located in Cavan.

The Town & Village Renewal Scheme

The Town & Village Renewal Scheme provides funding for projects that make our towns and villages more attractive and sustainable. Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, almost €113 million has been allocated to more than 1,400 projects across Ireland.