Number of community projects in Leitrim officially opened during Minister visit
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, Minister Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural Community Development visited a number of locations throughout County Leitrim, to perform official openings, a sod turning and visit a number of other projects funded by his Department in recent years.
As part of his visit to the County, Minister Calleary, performed the official opening of a number of projects, notably; the Mohill Public Realm works; The Market Yard in Carrick on Shannon; The Leitrim Village Diversity and Inclusion Project, including astro turf pitch, community gym, street furniture and bus shelter, Drumshanbo Mayflower Community Centre - Basketball and Volleyball Facilities and Drumshanbo Athletic Club Training facilities before concluding his visit by carrying out the official opening of the new state of the art Dromahair Library.
Welcoming Minister Calleary to the County Cathaoirleach Cllr Paddy O'Rourke, said the funding allocated to Leitrim by the Department of Rural and Community Development has been instrumental in improving the infrastructure and facilities in this county.
"It is our pleasure to have Minister Calleary in County Leitrim so that he can see, first hand, how the funding allocated to a rural county such as Leitrim can make such a significant difference to the people who live in our communities.
"I hope that the Minister and his Department will continue to support projects in County Leitrim, similar in nature to those we have seen today, for many more years to come,' said Cllr O'Rourke.
Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council, Mr Joseph Gilhooly welcomed Minister Calleary to the County by stating the funding awarded by the Department of Rural and Community Development has been of significant importance to this county.
"It has enabled Leitrim County Council to work in close collaboration with communities right across the county to develop and enhance the public realm in a number of our towns, enhance amenities and facilities that will add vibrancy to Leitrim and enable innovative, sustainable and responsive solutions for all our people and communities, making Leitrim the best place to live, work, do business, and visit,' said Mr Gilhooly.
While in Drumshanbo, Minister Calleary also performed the official sod turning for the Development of a recreational trail along a disused Narrow-Gauge Railway.
Over the past five years, through projects lead by Leitrim County Council, the county has received funding of over €40 million through funding streams run by the Department of Rural and Community Development such as Community Recognition Fund, Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Clár, Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme and Town & Village Renewal.
This funding has been of paramount importance in developing and enhancing the public realm and providing amenities and community facilities across Leitrim.
On what was a busy day in Leitrim for Minister Calleary, while in the county he also viewed projects funded by his Department that are currently in under way such as Mohill Station House, Carrick On Shannon Business Campus, Carrick on Shannon Tennis Club, Shannonside Regional Sports Campus, The Exchange Regeneration Project in Drumshanbo, The Food Innovation Hub in Drumshanbo, Car Park and viewing area in Drumkeeran.
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