South Roscommon was the setting on Tuesday morning as Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Heather Humphreys, officially opened a number of community focused projects, all of which were the beneficiaries of investment under the Government’s ambitious rural development policy, Our Rural Future.
Minister Humphreys commenced the day on the Roscommon side of Athlone, where she officially opened Monksland Way, a recreation walkway which details the heritage of the area. The project was supported with €200,000 under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS ).
“The community here in Monksland have done a tremendous job in developing this new walkway which will be used by people of all ages.
“This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when people work collaboratively for the benefit of the wider community.
“This type of investment, through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, is central to what ‘Our Rural Future’ is all about,” Minister Humphreys asserted.
The Minister then went on to visit the site of the Life Sciences Hub Project, which received over €2.75 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. The project is due to be completed next year and involves the repurposing of a disused building into a life sciences and co-working hub.
The Minister then officially opened the Portrunny Harbour upgrade, which received a total of €250,000 in funding - €200,000 under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and €50,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
“If we learned one thing during Covid-19, it’s how much we appreciate the great outdoors in terms of supporting both our physical and mental well-being.
“I have no doubt this project will attract thousands of people to the beautiful Lough Ree this summer – and I want to particularly commend the Local Development Association in Portunny for the work they have done in delivering this Harbour Upgrade,” Minister Humphreys remarked.
