32 community and TidyTowns groups
throughout County Clare are set to benefit from a once-off €112,500 euro
funding allocation being provided under the Public Area Enhancement
Scheme.
The Department of the Environment,
Community and Local Government is providing 75% of the finance with the
remainder being matched by Clare County Council.
In approving the Council's funding
application, the Department acknowledged the local authority's
commitment to working with community-based groups and its focus on
promoting tourism activity throughout County Clare.
Among the projects being proposed by
communities in receipt of funding is the development of a river walk in
Ennistymon, upgrade of the Place De Plouzane in Kilrush, provision of
lighting along the cascades in Lissycasey, development of a bog walk in
Kilkishen, upgrade of the Victorian Spa Well in Lisdoonvarna, and the
development of a Slí na Sláinte Walk Route in Sixmilebridge.
Mayor of Clare, Cllr. Joe Arkins has
welcomed the funding announcement, adding: "A huge number of local
projects can now be undertaken across Clare as a result of this once-off
funding announcement, which is especially welcome considering the
reduction in recent years of finance for such community-based projects."
The Mayor added: "The established,
collaborative working relationship between Clare's community groups and
Clare County Council was a key factor in the success of the Council's
funding application. I look forward to seeing work on these projects
progress during the coming weeks and months. I have no doubt that they
will bring significant economic and social benefits for the communities
in question and collectively, will draw additional visitors to the
County."
Betty Devanny, Administrative
Officer/Tidy Towns Coordinator, Tourism & Community explained that
the 32 funding applications received from around the County followed the
announcement of the scheme at the TidyTowns information evening held
during March.
She commented: "As part of Clare County
Council’s commitment to the work being undertaken by TidyTowns groups
throughout the county and to provide some very tangible support to
implement a number of initiatives, the Council has decided to allocate
the entire fund to initiatives undertaken by TidyTowns Committees that
will enhance public spaces throughout the county."
Funding is being provided under the Public Area Enhancement Scheme to the following community groups (projects):
€6,000 - Sixmilebridge Development Association/Tidy Towns (develop a Sli na Sláinte Walk Route); Killimer Tidy Towns (improve and develop the existing open space); Lisdoonvarna Fáilte (upgrade of Victorian Spa Wells); Scariff Community Council (Improvement works to the Riverside Park); Shannon Tidy Town (enhancement of approach road to the town); Newmarket On Fergus Tidy Towns (develop Fairgreen area); Miltown Malbay Tidy Towns (develop an urban space/square and general improvement works)
€5,500 - Clarecastle Tidy Towns (enhance the Famine Memorial and wildlife areas); Kilkee Tidy Towns (develop the Percy French Green)
€5,000 - Kilkishen Development Ltd (development of Kilkishen Castle Bog Walk); Tuamgraney Development Association (carry out improvement works to the approach road to Tuamgraney from Bodyke)
€4,000 - Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee (upgrade the Place De Plouzane); Lissycasey Tidy Towns (provide lighting along the route of the Cascades); Ennis Tidy Towns (further development of amenity area in the town)
€3,000 - Aistear Iniscealtra Mountshannon (upgrade of public park); Mountshannon Community Council (installation of outdoor fitness equipment at Aistear Park); O’Briensbridge Community Group (develop a Heritage Garden, replacement of three picnic benches, develop a heritage walk); Ruan Tidy Village (develop an amenity walk)
€2,000 - Kildysart Tidy Towns (upgrade existing picnic area. Provide new shrubbery and seating in the Quay area); Bridgetown Tidy Towns (provide information boards and repair and enhance the green area); O’Callaghan’s Mills (development of seating and picnic area in the village); Ennistymon Tidy Towns (develop the riverside walk); Barefield Tidy Village Committee (development of unsightly area on approach to the village); Feakle Tidy Towns (development of well area as focal point of village); Kilfenora Tidy Towns (develop and carry out improvements to the area around St. Fachtna’s well); Ballynacally Tidy Towns (enhancement of the area); Corofin Tidy Towns (village enhancement and improvement of Heritage Trail); Whitegate Tidy towns (provide new road signage on regional roads and construct flowerbeds of stone and general amenity works); Bunratty Tidy Towns (replace existing signage, flowerpots and benches and replanting of new trees following storm damage)
€1,500 - Kilmihil Tidy Towns (new flower beds and seating around Knockalough Lake, repairing of footpaths/slipway, installation of a sculpture); Connolly Tidy Towns (carry out improvement works to the existing museum)
€500 - Mullagh Tidy Village (erect a large flag stone and rock display at village entrance).
€6,000 - Sixmilebridge Development Association/Tidy Towns (develop a Sli na Sláinte Walk Route); Killimer Tidy Towns (improve and develop the existing open space); Lisdoonvarna Fáilte (upgrade of Victorian Spa Wells); Scariff Community Council (Improvement works to the Riverside Park); Shannon Tidy Town (enhancement of approach road to the town); Newmarket On Fergus Tidy Towns (develop Fairgreen area); Miltown Malbay Tidy Towns (develop an urban space/square and general improvement works)
€5,500 - Clarecastle Tidy Towns (enhance the Famine Memorial and wildlife areas); Kilkee Tidy Towns (develop the Percy French Green)
€5,000 - Kilkishen Development Ltd (development of Kilkishen Castle Bog Walk); Tuamgraney Development Association (carry out improvement works to the approach road to Tuamgraney from Bodyke)
€4,000 - Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee (upgrade the Place De Plouzane); Lissycasey Tidy Towns (provide lighting along the route of the Cascades); Ennis Tidy Towns (further development of amenity area in the town)
€3,000 - Aistear Iniscealtra Mountshannon (upgrade of public park); Mountshannon Community Council (installation of outdoor fitness equipment at Aistear Park); O’Briensbridge Community Group (develop a Heritage Garden, replacement of three picnic benches, develop a heritage walk); Ruan Tidy Village (develop an amenity walk)
€2,000 - Kildysart Tidy Towns (upgrade existing picnic area. Provide new shrubbery and seating in the Quay area); Bridgetown Tidy Towns (provide information boards and repair and enhance the green area); O’Callaghan’s Mills (development of seating and picnic area in the village); Ennistymon Tidy Towns (develop the riverside walk); Barefield Tidy Village Committee (development of unsightly area on approach to the village); Feakle Tidy Towns (development of well area as focal point of village); Kilfenora Tidy Towns (develop and carry out improvements to the area around St. Fachtna’s well); Ballynacally Tidy Towns (enhancement of the area); Corofin Tidy Towns (village enhancement and improvement of Heritage Trail); Whitegate Tidy towns (provide new road signage on regional roads and construct flowerbeds of stone and general amenity works); Bunratty Tidy Towns (replace existing signage, flowerpots and benches and replanting of new trees following storm damage)
€1,500 - Kilmihil Tidy Towns (new flower beds and seating around Knockalough Lake, repairing of footpaths/slipway, installation of a sculpture); Connolly Tidy Towns (carry out improvement works to the existing museum)
€500 - Mullagh Tidy Village (erect a large flag stone and rock display at village entrance).
