RURAL FUNDING BOOST
€2.2 MILLION WINDFALL FOR RURAL PROJECTS IN REGION
NESTLED in the Ox Mountains and the recent winner of Sligo’s Tidiest Town, Coolaney is a picturesque spot that has just got Government funding for a new community cafe.
Fia cafe which was opened and run by the community in 2016 was unable to operate full time. Now thanks to the grant of almost €200,000 the facility will be open for business from next year.
Chairman of Cafe Fia Co-op Joe Fogarty says: “We will now work with the Coolaney Development Company to establish a permanent community cafe. This entity will be very special as it will be the first and only community cafe in Connacht, owned by the community. It will have a very important social function, bringing people together for book and wine evenings, mother and toddler groups and meetings for the elderly.
From a tourism perspective, Joe says the cafe will serve as a hub for the increasing number of visitors to the Ox Mountain region.
“Fia means Deer. This cafe is all about welcoming people to the Ox Mountains. Walkers, hikers and cyclists can start and finish their tours or treks at Cafe Fia.”
The funding is part of a €2.2million grant for Sligo and Leitrim under the Town and Village Rural Renewal Scheme. Joe says: “We see this grant as a great credit to all of the volunteers who helped get Cafe Fia up and running. We could not do this without our customers, local suppliers and volunteers.”
As for the immediate plans Joe says: “We have to decide on a premises, whether to build or buy but this will be a very funky and stylish place and an economic boost to the town.”
Fia Cafe was just one project under the rural renewal scheme which was announced last Wednesday. €21million was allocated in total to projects nationwide.
Fine Gael TD Tony McLoughlin welcomed the move: “Sligo and Leitrim’s allocations under this scheme were amongst the three highest allocations in the country.
“The 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which was launched in April focus on local projects which can help to enhance and develop our rural towns and villages, with a particular emphasis on stimulating economic development.
“In total 281 rural towns and villages across the country are set to benefit. The scheme is a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development.”
In Sligo, €1,063,968 has been allocated to 14 towns and villages while in Leitrim €1,098,538 has been allocated to 12 towns and villages including €100,000 for Ballinamore, €100,000 for Carrick-on-Shannon, €200,000 for Drumshanbo, €96,000 for Cloone, €60,000 for Dowra, €100,000 for Dromahair, €45,000 for Kinlough, €75,000 Leitrim Village, €100,000 for Manorhamilton, €100,000 Mohill and €98,000 for Roosky.