€2.25m combined for Macroom and Charleville works

Two Cork towns received a combined €2.25m in Government funding for regeneration projects.

The allocations were made by the Department of Rural and Community Development, under the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF).

The RRDF is a capital investment scheme, established under the National Development Plan, which is committed to €1bn investment by government into rural Ireland from 2019 to 2027.

The larger of the two additional RRDF allocations is €1.3m for regeneration work in Macroom, while the smaller is €953,000 for the Charleville Town Centre Renewal Project.

Among the works planned for Macroom town centre are the refurbishment of the vacant St Colman’s Church, off Main St, and its re-use for community, culture, and heritage.

The planned works include the reconfiguration of O’Riada’s car park and surrounding footpaths, and the public-realm development at Mill Dam/Masseytown.

Also planned is the development of a riverbank walk linking O’Riada’s car park to the Fairy Garden Park; the connection of Mill Dam/Masseytown to the town park and Macroom Castle; as well as the development of enhanced public realm works on South Square.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West, Aindrias Moynihan, said the investment would enable the renovation of a number of vacant and derelict buildings.

“With the bypass opened, there are now great opportunities for Macroom and the hinterland,” Mr Moynihan said.

“Macroom is now an attractive destination for locals and visitors, with through traffic now using the bypass. With this additional funding, all the development plans for the town will be realised.”

In Charleville, the planned works will include the renovation of vacant and derelict buildings, including the courthouse, the development of a new arts and community centre on Chapel St, and the conversion of an old HSE building into a men’s shed and snooker club.

The Charleville funding was welcomed by Cork North West’s other Fianna Fáil TD, Michael Moynihan. “I am delighted to welcome €953,000 in funding for the development and regeneration of Charleville Town Centre,” Mr Moynihan said. 

“My colleagues and I will continue to prioritise transformative projects, such as these, to revitalise our town centres, stimulate the rural economy, and attract people back to live, work and visit rural areas.”