By Helen Broderick
Minister Heather Humphreys was in Limerick last weekend to open a wide range of projects, supported under Our Rural Future From Department of Rural and Community Development.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, officially opened a new remote working hub in Abbeyfeale.
A former bank on Abbeyfeale Main Street has been re-developed as remote working hub.
The Abbeyfeale E-hub is part of the ENGINE Hubs Network, a collaborative cluster of business hubs spanning the Mid-West and North Kerry.
Speaking in Abbeyfeale, Minister Humphreys said: “This is a wonderful facility, and I am delighted to see my department’s funding put to such good use. Under the popular Town and Village Renewal Scheme, we have provided €200,000 to fit out co-working spaces at this former bank. Really, this facility sums up what my Department and the Our Rural Future policy is all about. Right across the country, we are taking old buildings such as banks, convents, factories, cinemas – and redeveloping them as e-hubs and remote working facilities. It’s all about breathing new life into our towns and villages such as Abbeyfeale – making them better places to live, work, and raise a family. And it’s about saying loud and clear – Rural Ireland is open for business.”
The Minister also opened a range of new rural development projects in the county:
Dromcollogher Community Park and walking trail;
ASH – Ashford Social Hub;
Barnagh Greenway Hub Playground; and
Ardagh District Recreational and Sporting Company Astro-turf facility.
All of these projects received investment from the Department of Rural and Community Development to deliver the Government’s rural development strategy – Our Rural Future.
The Minister’s visit also took her to Ardagh Station House and Limerick Greenway Hub.
The Limerick Greenway project previously received investment capital of €2.7 million from Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
A further €600,000 was allocated to develop Greenway Hubs. This will involve the renovation of heritage buildings and sites adjacent to the Greenway at Abbeyfeale and Ardagh.
Speaking in Ardagh, the Minister said: “I am delighted to be here today to visit the Great South Limerick Greenway. This is a transformation project for the region, and I wish to congratulate Limerick County Council and the project partners on completing the Greenway last year. The last two years have shown us how vital our outdoor amenities are for our mental and physical wellbeing. Investing in our natural amenities to benefit the health and wellbeing of our communities and to support the growth in local and international adventure tourism is a key goal of the Governments rural policy, Our Rural Future.”
The visit concluded at the Rathkeale Railway Goods Shed project which has been approved for funding of €200,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
All grants were applied for through LCCC and were approved by the LCDC.