Funding of €817,000 for three Longford projects

Longford is to benefit from €817,000 in funding for three community projects in the county.

Senator Micheal Carrigy welcomed the funding allocated to three projects in Longford under the Town and Village Scheme announced by Minister Heather Humphreys this morning.

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, today (Monday, April 24) announced funding of over €20 million to benefit rural towns and villages the length and breadth of the country.

Funding is allocated to deliver 82 projects right across Ireland, with the three Longford projects . The successful projects include the regeneration of derelict buildings, the provision of public plazas and farmers’ markets in town centres and the development of Town Parks.

Ballinalee will see the development of a community park with sensory equipment following the allocation of €190,000, in Edgeworthstown the grant of €248,000 will go toward the renovations to a community building for a social enterprise project.

The largest sum, €379,000, goes to the development of a special needs playground at the old dog track and create a connection to the Royal Canal.

Senator Carrigy said: “I want to offer a sincere thanks to Minister Heather Humphreys for her continued support for Longford and to my colleagues on Longford County Council for their support.”

At the opening of the skatepark last February Minister Humphreys spoke of the representations by Cllr Peggy Nolan for funding for the sensory park in Longford.

“This playground is an essential piece of infrastructure,” Cllr Nolan told The Leader, “It's particularly for children with special needs and it develops the site's significance as a focal point for the community.”

Cllr Nolan spoke of her delight at the announcement: “I could cry with emotion. It was done in conjunction with our in-house architect, Richard Smith, and director of Service John Brannigan.

“On the day of the opening I hitched a lift from Minister Humphreys. I made the case for the sensory playground. My next mission is to get funding for lights and a carpark for the area,” Cllr Nolan said.

The Fine Gael elected representative said the plans are sympathetic to the site: “The fact that it provides for landscaping to create a connection to the Royal Canal greenway is very important. It's going to be very aesthetically pleasing for the kids.”