6 November 2019
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cllr JP O’Shea
Some €2.6 million has been allocated for transformative regeneration projects in Kanturk and Macroom, according to Cork North West General Election candidate Councillor John Paul O’Shea.
Cllr. O’Shea said: “This is fantastic news for both Kanturk and Macroom, and the wider Cork North West region in general. The Rural Regeneration & Development Fund is a fantastic means to support rural Ireland and its communities. Earlier this year, more than €1.1 million was allocated to Banteer through this same fund, so these most recent funding announcements show that Fine Gael is really delivering for the people of Cork North West.
“€619,500 has been allocated to deliver the first phase of the Kanturk Regeneration Strategy, that will see the development of the Kanturk Relief Road. This project will facilitate the future growth and development of the town. It will unlock further regeneration opportunities and improve accessibility for residents and visitors to the town.
“In Macroom, €2 million has been allocated to restore and upgrade the Briery Gap Theatre and Library. This location is a valued cultural and artistic asset, important to the continued vitality of the town and the wider hinterland which depends on it,” Cllr. O’Shea said this week.
He added: “The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund was established under Project Ireland 2040 to deliver the targeted investment necessary to ensure that rural Ireland continues to grow and prosper and deliver on the balanced regional growth that is in everyone’s interests.
“I believe that it is vital that we continue to build resilience in rural communities and make our towns and villages vibrant places for families to live.
“The projects that this Fund supports are targeting areas where they can have the greatest economic and social impact and will help support communities in facing the uncertainty still posed by Brexit.”
Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring said: “Today’s announcement represents the completion of the second call for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
“We have had a phenomenal level of interest, with applications of an excellent standard, and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who were successful.”