Creeslough allocated €12.1m for regeneration project

Ten people died in Creeslough following an explosion two years ago.

The Government has announced a €12m grant to help regenerate the Donegal village of Creeslough, where 10 people died in a devastating explosion two years ago.

The funding is part of a record €164m allocation for rural and village regeneration projects around the country. The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will help deliver 30 projects in rural towns and villages.

It includes just over €3m for Údaras na Gaeltachta for the regeneration of the derelict former Colaiste Iosagáin boarding school in the Ballyvourney Gaeltacht in Co Cork as a digital hub and regional development centre, and just over €1.8m to Cork County Council for public realm upgrades in Skibbereen.

The plans for Creeslough were drawn up in the wake of the October 2022 tragedy which killed 10 people and destroyed the village’s local service station, a shop and an apartment building.

Following a consultation plan with locals, the bereaved families, and overseen by Donegal County Council, the Creeslough Community Association, and Arup Consultants, who acted pro bono, a village regeneration plan was granted for a new community centre with sporting and other facilities on land already owned by the community behind the local church.

Parish priest Fr John Joe Duffy has said the centre will be a place to give a new beating heart to their community.

Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys made the funding announcement at Loophead Lighthouse in Clare.

“The funding announced today will revitalise towns and villages in line with the Town Centre First Policy, addressing vacancy and dereliction, stimulating rural economies and responding to community needs," she said.

Funding allocations

Other large funding allocations include €12.2m to redevelop a derelict site in Edenderry, Co Offaly for a new community library and arts base and town centre regeneration; €5.2m to redevelop a derelict convent primary school building and grounds in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo for a public library, enterprise hub and public park; and €9.6m for the redevelopment of former stations houses along the Limerick Greenway route to create mini destinations, trailheads and service hubs;

Some €6.4m is given for the regeneration of Cahersiveen town centre in Kerry including the renovation of an historic building as a community facility and development of a waterfront amenity and boardwalk; €8.4m for the regeneration of key seafront areas in Enniscrone, Co Sligo; and €3.6m for the redevelopment of the historic Tuam Town Hall as a multi-purpose community facility.

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Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West, Aindrias Moynihan, welcomed the €3.2m allocation for the redevelopment of the former Colaiste Iosagain school.

“Huge background work has been done in cooperation with Táiniste Michéal Martin and with Minister to advance this funding. 

"Coláiste Íosagan has been an ongoing project over many years and it’s great that there is now the chance to light the light in the building and bring life and opportunity to the former school.”