Seven towns and villages to share over €500,000

HALF-A-MILLION euro has been allocated to seven Co Wicklow projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Blessington, Hollywood, Newcastle, Newtownmountkennedy, Rathdrum, Tinahely, and Wicklow town are all set to benefit from the scheme, which was established to enhance rural towns and villages and help to stimulate economic development.

Wicklow town is due to receive €120,000 for the lighting of landmark buildings in the town.

Newtownmountkennedy has been allocated €120,488 for public realm works, while Blessington will receive €80,000 for enhancements to the town. Staying in the west of the coun- ty, Hollywood is due to receive 29,757 for a new pathway and safety enhancement works.

The village of Newcastle has been allocated €23,760 for a healthcheck and the establishment of 4km walkway heritage trail and geophysical survey, while Tinahely will receive €76,000 for public realm improvements.

Finally, €68,000 has been set aside for the installation of street lighting in Rathdrum. According to Cllr Pat Kennedy, these lights will stretch from the garda station down to Mill Bridge and are ‘30 years overdue’.

Welcoming the funding announcement for Co Wicklow, Minister Simon Harris said the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development.

‘It is vital that we are focusing on supporting and developing our rural towns and villages in Co Wicklow,’ he said.

Welcoming the approvals, the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Pat Vance, said all seven projects, spread across different communities throughout the county, would significantly enhance a number of towns and villages and he congratulated all those involved in the applications.

Frank Curran, Chief Executive, also congratulated the groups involved in the individual applications and said that council staff will now work in partnership with the successful groups to carry out the work as speedily as possible.