COMMUNITY GRANTS
TEN towns and villages across the county were last Friday granted a total of just over ¤1.1million between them for enhancements.
The Folk Park in Riverstown topped the list with a grant of ¤200,000 for refurbishments.
The villages of Aclare, Ballymote, Enniscrone and Rathcormac each received ¤100,000 for village enhancements.
Raghley received ¤100,000 to enhance the port and extend a 3km looped walking route.
Grange got ¤100,000 to establish the village as the Armada Centre of Ireland.
Ballisodare received ¤80,000 to restore the Ballisodare River fish pass, while Collooney got ¤100,000 to redevelop the former Courthouse.
Cloonacool also received ¤100,000 to develop walks and trails.
Independent Councillor Marie Casserly welcomed the funding for both Grange and Raghley.
She told The Sligo Champion the funding for Grange would allow the Grange and Armada Development Association to pay for a feasibility study be done on where the Armada Centre should be.
“For projects like this we need this sort of funding because we can’t raise this sort of funding ourselves. We need outside help to bring this to the next level,” Cllr Casserly told this newspaper.
“It’s a great shot in the arm for the entire North West - to have Grange as the Armada Centre for Ireland, it’s great the Government recognises this took” she said.
Cllr Casserly also welcomed the ¤80,000 funding for Raghley Harbour and walking route.
“It’s fantastic, it’s such a beautiful area,” she said.
Ballymote Fianna Fáil Councillor Keith Henry welcomed the allocation of ¤100,000 funding for the town.
“Having worked with community groups and drafted some of the paperwork in Ballymote, Killavil and Bunninadden I’m delighted to see we’ve been approved for funding” he said.
Ballymote will use the €100,000 to continue reviving the town’s community facilities such as the Art Deco, Town Park and the development of a heritage trail.
Cllr Henry’s native village of Killavil received €58,400 for village enhancement works which will take into account the local musical heritage of the area. It will also involve some work in nearby Bunninadden. Cllr Henry also thanked the Council’s Community Development section for their help and work on the applications.
Fine Gael Councilor Dara Mulvey said the Scheme stimulated economic development and was a welcome boost for these communities listed.