Six Kilkenny projects get €166,000 to help communities respond to pandemic

Kilkenny will receive €166,000 to fund six key projects to help local communities respond to the pandemic.

The funding is part of a €3.3 million funding package for 120 projects across the country under the second round of the enhanced Town and Village Renewal Scheme. It comes on top of the €2.8 million that was announced under Round 1 of the scheme in August and is supported through the Government’s July Stimulus Package.

The focus of the funding is on measures and interventions that help towns and villages in the county to adapt to social distancing requirements and to provide safe environments that encourage people to shop and socialise.

Announcing the funding, Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan said: “These projects approved will assist businesses and communities in Kilkenny to adapt to the challenges posed by Covid-19 and to increase footfall and generate economic activity in the short-term. The projects have been identified by Kilkenny community groups and businesses in conjunction with Kilkenny County Council.

“They include projects where outdoor spaces can be adapted for social gatherings, dining or the hosting of outdoor events and marketing campaigns to entice people back into towns and villages and  investment in developing or improving the online presence of towns and villages.”

Kilkenny County Council has been allocated funding of €166,000 for the following projects:

Deputy Phelan added: “”I am delighted that Kilkenny County Council was allocated funding of €166,000 for the following projects: Graiguenamanagh gets €36,000 for the production of a tourist audio guide, the relocation of parking spaces to make way for footpath widening; Kilmacow has been granted €22,500 for outdoor seating and tables with a canopy and bicycle parking and a signed cycle route; Mooncoin has been granted €22,500 for similar works, plus landscaping and €40,000 is to be made available to help finance a mobile festival/cinema kit which will be available to community festivals throughout the county.

“The latest funding round also provides €22,500 for seating and a meeting area in Mullinavat as well as a fund of €22,500 for deep cleaning, signage and minor public realm improvements in Callan, Castlecomer, Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown.

“The funding is further evidence of the great cooperation of Kilkenny County Council and local communities as they work together to come up with innovative ways of making the areas where we live, work, shop and socialise better places, particularly as we learn to live with Covid-19.”

Minister of Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, Heather Humphrey, added: “The €3.3 million in funding which I am allocating today to 120 towns and villages is for projects that can be delivered quickly and which will encourage people into our towns and villages, and giving them the confidence to spend more time there.

“Once again the local authorities, together with their local communities, have brought forward projects that will help meet the specific needs of their own areas. A wide variety of innovative measures are being supported under this round of funding, including the purchasing of marquees and equipment to facilitate outdoor events and festivals, and the provision of sheltered outdoor meeting spaces.

“I’m also pleased to be able to provide support for the fit out of a number of Broadband Connection Points throughout the country, which will be vital for people in remote locations to stay connected or to work remotely.”

PHOTO: Graiguenamanagh waterfront