Preasráiteas: Tugann an tAire Calleary cuairt ar Chontae Mhuineacháin chun oscailtí oifigúla agus iompuithe fóid a dhéanamh
Tuesday, 2 June 2026
Minister Calleary visits Co. Monaghan for a number of official openings and sod-turnings
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, today (Tuesday, 2 June 2026) officiated at a number of project openings and sod-turnings across County Monaghan. The projects were funded through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and will deliver essential services and support local communities. The total investment of the projects unveiled today by Minister Calleary is over €15.8 million.
The Minister’s visit began in Carrickmacross, where he opened the Cloughvalley Sensory Garden and Play Area, funded under the Community Recognition Fund (CRF). This sensory garden and outdoor classroom are serving as a dynamic, living space where the public can connect with nature and engage in hands-on learning.
Speaking at the opening, the Minister said:
“I am delighted to provide funding through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to support the development of the Sensory Garden and Play Area. I would like to thank all those involved in this transformative project, which will have a positive impact on the community.”
The Minister then visited Castleblayney Market House to mark the commencement of works on a landmark regeneration project supported by €11.9 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). The historic Market House will be redeveloped as a multi-use community and cultural hub alongside significant public realm improvements in the town centre.
Speaking in Castleblayney, Minister Calleary said:
“I firmly believe that the rejuvenation of this key site will have a transformative impact for the entire community, which is what strategic investment under the RRDF is all about. The works that will be completed here will transform the Market House into a vibrant and welcoming destination for all ages.“I have no doubt that upon completion, the benefits derived from this project will be enjoyed for many years to come and that the Market House will play a central role in community life, here for all to enjoy.”
The Minister then visited Black Island on Lough Muckno where he unveiled a number of refurbishments under the Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). The works included; flood mitigation, improved visitor facilities and the development of an outdoor educational space.
The Minister then opened refurbishments to the Community Gym and a car park in Aughnamullen, funded under the CLÁR programme, before moving onto Newbliss.
At Newbliss Digital Hub, the Minister officially opened a redeveloped remote working and enterprise facility located in the former courthouse building. Supported under the RRDF, the hub now supports 40 jobs and forms part of the Connected Hubs network.
Speaking in Newbliss, Minister Calleary said:
“As Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, it is important to me that those who chose to live in rural Ireland are given the chance to avail of the increased remote working opportunities that have emerged in recent years.”“The Connected Hubs network not only assists with these opportunities, it is helping to sustain the population in some rural areas, revitalise town centres, reduce commuting times and improve the quality of life for people.”
The Minister also visited Slí Óige Uí Dhufaigh in Monaghan Town where he turned the sod at the Town and Village Renewal Scheme-funded Motorhome Stopover Amenity.
At his final stop, he opened the Ballinode Community Centre. Funding of €500,000 under the 2022 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was provided for the construction of a new, purpose-built community centre in the centre of the village of Ballinode. The Community Centre is a modern, flexible space that meets the current needs of the community while also allowing for future growth and development in the area.
Preasráiteas
Dé Máirt, an 2 Meitheamh 2026
Tugann an tAire Calleary cuairt ar Chontae Mhuineacháin
chun oscailtí oifigúla agus iompuithe fóid a dhéanamh
Inniu (Dé Máirt, an 2 Meitheamh 2026) bhí an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary TD, i bhfeighil ag oscailtí agus iompuithe fóid roinnt tionscadal ar fud chontae Mhuineacháin. Maoiníodh na tionscadail tríd an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta agus cuirfidh siad seirbhísí riachtanacha ar fáil agus tacóidh siad le pobail áitiúla. Tá an infheistíocht iomlán sna tionscadail atá nochtaithe inniu ag an Aire Calleary os cionn €15.8 milliún.
Thosaigh cuairt an Aire i gCarraig Mhachaire Rois, áit ar oscail sé Gairdín Céadfach agus Limistéar Súgartha na Clochbhuaile, a mhaoinítear faoin gCiste Aitheantais Pobail. Tá an gairdín céadfach agus an seomra ranga lasmuigh seo ag feidhmiú mar spás maireachtála dinimiciúil inar féidir leis an bpobal ceangal leis an dúlra agus páirt a ghlacadh i bhfoghlaim phraiticiúil.
Ag labhairt ag an seoladh, dúirt an tAire:
“Tá áthas orm maoiniú a chur ar fáil tríd an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta chun tacú le forbairt an Ghairdín Chéadfaigh agus an Limistéir Shúgartha. Gabhaim buíochas le gach duine a ghlac páirt sa tionscadal seo ina dtionscnaítear bunathrú, a mbeidh tionchar dearfach aige ar an bpobal.”
Ansin thug an tAire cuairt ar Theach Margaidh Bhaile na Lorgan chun tús na n-oibreacha ar thionscadal athnuachana suntasach a chomóradh, tionscadal a fuair tacaíocht €11.9 milliún faoin gCiste Athnuachana agus Forbartha Tuaithe (CAFT). Déanfar an Teach Margaidh stairiúil a athfhorbairt mar mhol ilúsáide pobail agus cultúir in éineacht le feabhsuithe suntasacha ar an réimse poiblí i lár an bhaile.
Ag labhairt inniu i mBaile na Lorgan, dúirt an tAire Calleary:
“Creidim go daingean go dtionscnófar bunathrú in athnuachan an tsuímh ríthábhachtaigh seo ar an bpobal ar fad, agus sin é croílár na hinfheistíochta straitéiseacha faoi CAFT. Déanfaidh na hoibreacha a chríochnófar anseo Teach an Mhargaidh ina cheann scríbe bríomhar agus fáilteach do gach aois.“Níl aon amhras orm ach go mbainfear taitneamh as na buntáistí a bhainfear as an tionscadal seo ar feadh na mblianta atá le teacht nuair a chuirfear i gcrích é agus go mbeidh ról lárnach ag Teach an Mhargaidh i saol an phobail, anseo le go mbainfidh cách taitneamh as.”
Ansin thug an tAire cuairt ar an Oileán Dubh ar Loch Mucnú áit ar nocht sé roinnt athchóirithe faoin Scéim Áineasa agus Bonneagair Allamuigh. Áiríodh ar na hoibreacha; maolú tuilte, áiseanna feabhsaithe do chuairteoirí agus forbairt spáis oideachais lasmuigh.
Ansin d’oscail an tAire athchóirithe ar an Ionad Aclaíochta Pobail agus ar charrchlós in Achadh na Muileann, a maoiníodh faoi CLÁR, sular bhog sé ar aghaidh go Cúil Darach.
Ag Mol Digiteach Chúil Darach, d’oscail an tAire áis athfhorbartha cianoibre agus fiontraíochta atá suite i seanfhoirgneamh na cúirte. Tacaithe faoi CAFT, tacaíonn an mol anois le 40 post agus is cuid de líonra na Moil Nasctha é.
Ag labhairt i gCúil Darach, dúirt an tAire Calleary:
“Mar Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, tá sé tábhachtach domsa go dtabharfar deis dóibh siúd a roghnaíonn maireachtáil i gceantair thuaithe na hÉireann leas a bhaint as na deiseanna méadaithe cianoibre a tháinig chun cinn le blianta beaga anuas.”
“Cabhraíonn líonra na Moil Nasctha leis na deiseanna seo, ach tá sé ag cabhrú le daonra roinnt ceantar tuaithe a choinneáil beo, láir bhailte a athbheochan, amanna comaitéireachta a laghdú agus feabhas a chur ar cháilíocht beatha daoine chomh maith.”
Chomh maith leis sin, thug an tAire cuairt ar Shlí Óige Uí Dhufaigh i mBaile Mhuineacháin áit ar iompaigh sé an fód ag Áis Veain Champála atá maoinithe faoin Scéim Athnuachana Bailte agus Sráidbhailte.
Ag a stad deireanach, d’oscail sé Ionad Pobail Bhaile an Fhóid. Cuireadh maoiniú €500,000 ar fáil faoin Scéim Athnuachana Bailte agus Sráidbhailte 2022 chun ionad pobail nua, a tógadh le sainchuspóir, a thógáil i lár shráidbhaile Bhaile an Fhóid. Is spás nua-aimseartha, solúbtha é an tIonad Pobail a chomhlíonann riachtanais reatha an phobail agus a chuireann ar chumas fás agus forbairt amach anseo sa cheantar ag an am céanna.