Four Waterford communities share major funding boost of over €1m under national scheme

Four Waterford communities are set to benefit from more than €1.18 million in funding under the latest round of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

The funding was announced this week by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary TD as part of a €26 million national package supporting more than 100 projects across Ireland.

In Waterford, successful projects have been approved for An Rinn, Dunhill, Dunmore East and Portlaw, with the funding aimed at rejuvenating town centres, boosting footfall, enhancing outdoor amenities and supporting economic and social activity in rural communities.

An Rinn will receive €283,386 for the development of supporting infrastructure and green space amenities, while €300,000 has been allocated to Dunhill for the delivery of a planned architectural design within a former light industrial space to create additional office capacity at Dunhill Eco Park, supporting individuals and small businesses.

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Dunmore East has also secured €300,000 to upgrade the existing children’s play area at Counsellors Strand into a modern, inclusive facility, alongside the creation of a new multi-use space designed to support social inclusion.

A further €300,000 has been awarded to Portlaw for the Portlaw Park Regeneration Project, which will see the redesign and delivery of upgraded outdoor amenities for the local community.

Welcoming the announcement, Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr Seamus Ryan said he was “delighted that these four projects have received funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme”.

“The funding will not only help in the regeneration of these localities and communities, but it will also enable the further enhancement of amenities that will benefit local communities and local businesses, and the environmental and tourism sectors within the areas,” he said.

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Conor O’Neill, Acting Town Regeneration Officer with Waterford City and County Council, said the funding highlighted continued backing for rural Waterford.

“Today’s announcement by Minister Calleary reaffirms the ongoing support and commitment to Waterford’s rural communities from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht,” he said.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is administered through local authorities and typically supports rural towns and villages with populations of up to 10,000 people, helping communities deliver projects that enhance quality of life and long-term sustainability.