Trio of North Cork villages to get a share of €435k rural regeneration fund

A TRIO of North Cork villages are set to benefit to the tune of more than €435,000 for public realm works and local infrastructural projects.

Ballydesmond, Dromahane and Doneraile are among seven locations in Cork County that will between them share a more than €735,000 funding windfall under the 2019 Town Village Renewal Scheme.

An initiative of the Department of Rural and Community Development, the scheme is managed by Cork County Council, with the authority providing additional finances for projects from its own coffers to maximise their impact.

The funding announcements follow formal approval by Cork County Council for improvements works at the locations.

Ballydesmond was the largest single Cork beneficiary under the initiative, receiving €150,000 for the renewal and upgrading of the public realm area. Works will incorporate improving pedestrian connectivity within the village environs and enhancing its urban centre for leisure activities.

Specific projects will include a new pedestrian footbridge, the replacement of existing footpaths and the installation of new ones, new pedestrian crossings and the upgrading of public lighting.

Dromahane has been allocated €142,500 for works that will include park upgrades and a raised traffic table at Russell Place, replacement of existing footpaths, provision of new footpaths new pedestrian crossings and public lighting upgrade works.

Doneraile has been allocated funding of €145,000 which will be used to improve village centre amenities, provide a public Wi-Fi service and tackle derelict buildings.

It is anticipated that works in the three North Cork villages will commence next year and be completed by the summer of 2021.

Welcoming the funding Cllr John Paul O’Shea (FG) said the money would bring huge benefits to all of the relevant communities.

“The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is vital for enhancing rural Ireland and is part of this government’s ambitious plan for rural Ireland,” he said.

Cork County Council chief executive Tim Lucey said the renewal and regeneration of towns and villages was a key priority for the local authority.

“They form the very fabric of our county and this significant allocation of funding for Cork reflects our ongoing commitment to rural regeneration,” said Mr Lucey.