€1,881,634 in funding for 34 community projects in the Midlands under the 2025 CLÁR Programme – Measure 1
The CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) programme provides funding for small-scale projects in rural areas that have experienced population decline. The 2025 programme is divided into three measures, which cover the different initiatives supported by the scheme.
- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities
Laois Total: 9 projects totalling €611,124
- Ballaghmore Gaelscoil tSlí Dála Enhancement of existing sensory garden €56,430
- Ballyfin National School €29,694
- Coolrain Tidy Towns Playground upgrade: €65,000
- Crettyard AFC Installation of new community astro turf pitch €65,000
- Donaghmore Laois County Council in conjunction with Donaghmore Famine Workhouse and Agricultural Museum Cooperative Society Ltd. Accessible toilets and wastewater treatment system: €100,000
- Mountrath Slieve Bloom GAA Club New astroturf pitch €65,000
- Raheen Auld School Men’s Shed Upgrade old schoolhouse: €65,000
- Rathdowney Clover United Football Club Resurface small astro pitch €100,000
- Vicarstown SVT Activity & Wellness Hub Recreational area enhancement €65,000
Westmeath Total: 9 projects totalling €470,705
- Ballymore community centre €65,000
- Castlepollard community and sensory area €28,800
- Kilbeggan Shamrocks GAA pitch upgrade works €54,000
- Streamstown Tidy Towns, creation of cycle track, €100,000
- St. Oliver’s Hall, Moyvore, upgrade works, €65,000
- Multyfarnham, bins and furniture, €40,005
- Multyfarnham, WCC Church, repair work to Mayne Church, €37,350
- Multyfarnham, WCC cemetery/Coole development group, upgrade works of cemetery, €44,550
Longford Total: 9 Project totalling €455,897
- Longford Whitehall Ballinalee Seán Connollys GAA Club €35,325
- Longford Aughnacliffe Leebeen Park Development clg €56,199
- Longford Ballymahon Ballymahon AFC €44,467
- Longford Cloonee Killoe Young Emmets GFC €30,362
- Longford Edgeworthstown Mostrim GAA Resurface carpark €73,879
- Longford Granard Lus na Gréine Family Resource Centre €76,493
- Longford Granard Lisryan & District Development Play equipment €33,672
- Longford Killeendowd Carrickedmond GAA Community walkway €65,000
- Longford Lanesboro Rathcline GAA Development of handball facility €40,500
Offaly Total: 7 Projects totalling €343,908
- Brosna, Birr Coolderry Central School Provision of a new walkway €25,830
- Clonfanlough St. Kieran’s Development Clonfanlough Carpark upgrade €65,000
- Croghan Scoil Bhríde Croghan Astro New astroturf pitch €31,500
- Kilclonfert Kilclonfert GAA New astroturf pitch €100,000
- Kinnitty, Birr Longford Graveyard Group Renovation of a church and biodiversity planting €21,578
- Rhode St Brigid’s GAA Club Croghan, Astro extension Upgrades to existing astroturf pitch €65,000
- Roscomroe Roscomroe Community Devolpment Committee €35,000
Minister Robert Troy told the Westmeath Independent,
“This funding will make a real difference in people’s lives, helping to improve local facilities, create safer and more accessible spaces, and bring communities closer together. It helps us create strong, resilient, and vibrant communities where families can thrive, young people can grow and stay close to home, and local clubs and schools can continue to flourish. Initiatives like this demonstrate the real impact that can be achieved when communities, local representatives, and government work together to deliver positive, lasting change.”
With today’s announcement, over €14 million has now been allocated under the CLÁR Programme this year, the highest annual amount since the scheme was reintroduced in 2016.
