€50,000 funding boost for Kickhams
COOLEY Kickhams GAA club have got a funding boost when they were awarded €50,000 to upgrade ther existing outdoor pitches under Measure 2 of CLAR Funding delivered through the Department of Rural and Community Development .
Deputy Fergus O’Dowd welcomed the confirmation of the funding by his colleague Minister Ring last week. ‘ This is great news for children and families in Cooley and the wider community.’
‘At a time when outdoor activities are often overlooked for hi-tech games, we must ensure our playgrounds and sporting areas are exciting, and engaging for young minds.’
He said he had recently visited the Cooley Kickhams GAA complex with Minister Ring to view some of the excellent work that has already been completed at the complex and to discuss the future plans.
‘Since 2016, the CLÁR Programme has provided funding to over 1,100 projects under various measures, including funding for 265 play and multi-use games area projects around the country.’
‘Communities in the applicable CLAR area of Louth have
scoring 7-14 to Gaels 0-7. Callum O’Hanlon played a huge part in the success scoring 4 goals and three points.
The team and scorers were; Niall Brady 1-0, Paul Brennan, Aaron Rafferty 1-0, Cathal Malone 0-1, Ian Arnold 0-1, Cormac Malone, Aaron Sheelan, Conor McAviney, Aaron Carolan 0-1, Pierce Hulme 0-1, Enda O’Neill 0-3, Caolan Haugh, Thomas McCarragher 0-1, Cian Murphy 1-2, Callum O’Hanlon 4-3, John Digney, Finn O’Hanlon, Colm Keenan, Darragh Brady. fundraised and worked with Louth County Council to put forward these projects for funding and this cooperation is to be acknowledged and welcomed.
‘ These projects are excellent examples of what can be done when everyone works together - resulting in new and improved recreational resources for children and communities in the rural areas of Louth.
‘ This is a further testament to the passion and commitment of local communities to make rural Ireland a place where people want to live, work and prosper.”
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, said: ‘I am delighted to be in a position to announce funding under the CLÁR programme of €2.78 million for play areas in rural communities.’
‘I have again decided that all applications that qualify under the Play Areas Measure of the programme will receive funding this year. These projects will make the areas in which they are located more attractive places for families to live in and settle, in line with the aim of the CLÁR programme.’
‘Partnership and community involvement is vital in all areas of life and that partnership and the community spirit that has been evident to me in the small rural towns and villages all across the country in recent years under my Department’s initiatives such as the CLÁR programme, the Rural Recreation Schemes and the Town & Village Renewal Scheme.’