Two Conamara communities are sharing over €400,000 in grand aid this week to help them improve and upgrade their facilities.

The grants were confirmed by Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Patrick O’Donovan, on Friday when he announced approval of a grant of up to €351,758 – or 80% of the total cost – for the Coiste Pobail na Minna committee in Indreabhán to undertake refurbishment works to the Community Centre there.

He has also announced a grant of €66,063 – or again 80% of the total cost – of upgrading Páirc Spraoi na Ceathrún Rua for Comharchumann Mhic Dara in An Cheathrú Rua to undertake this work.

Minister O’Donovan visited Ionad Pobail na Minna in person on Friday to see their work for himself.

Ionad Pobail na Minna is a central hub for many community activities, including a range of classes and social events, and all events there are organised through Irish.

This centre is also the location of the local Irish language summer college from June to August every year.  The grant funding will go towards refurbishment of the centre.

Comharchumann Mhic Dara, meanwhile, intends to use the funding to improve the facilities in the playground in An Cheathrú Rua to a standard that ensures that they are accessible to all members of the community.

The grants have been approved under the Department’s Community and Language Supports Programme.

Minister O’Donovan said that the grants would enable both organisations to undertake necessary repairs and upgrades.

“For Ionad Pobail na Minna this will ensure that the building remains functional for years to come and will continue to serve the community and the language,” he said.

“For An Cheathrú Rua, the existing facilities will be enhanced and developed to ensure that the local community, both young and old, can come together in a fun and creative environment,” he added.

“Opportunities for sport and play are essential, not only for the purposes of developing infrastructure also for the social and cognitive development of the young generation and this facility will greatly contribute to that objective. This allocation is being provided under the Department’s Community and Language Supports Programme,” he concluded.

This grant is in line with the commitment made in the National Development Plan and the Community and Language Supports Programme.

Pictured: Announcing a grant of €66,063 to Páirc Spraoi na Ceathrún Rua for Comharchumann Mhic Dara in An Cheathrú Rua in Ionad Pobail na Minna last Friday were from left: Senator Sean Kyne, Councillor Páraic Mac an Iomaire;  Seán Ó Domhnaill, manager,  Comharchumann Mhic Dara, Minister of State for the Gaeltacht Patrick O’Donovan and Stiofán de Bhailís, Irish Planning Officer, An Cheathrú Rua. Pic: Seán Ó Mainnín