Preasráiteas: Tugann an tAire Calleary cuairt ar chontae Phort Láirge chun oscailtí oifigúla agus iompuithe fóid dhéanamh
Monday, 8 June 2026
Minister Calleary visits Waterford for official openings and sod turnings
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, today (Monday, 8 June 2026) visited Co. Waterford to officiate at a series of openings and sod turnings for projects aimed at strengthening communities and supporting regeneration across the county.
The visit began at Cappoquin where Minister Calleary officially opened the Cappoquin Railway Bridge Loop Walk which received investment from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). This walk will benefit locals and visitors enhancing business and tourism in the area.
Staying in Cappoquin, Minister Calleary next visited two sites included in the Cappoquin Town Regeneration and Renewal Project, a strategic and innovative response to combating dereliction and breathing new life into the town. Supported with €7.2 million through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the project includes the renovation of a series of former vacant and derelict buildings in the town centre, including the former Moore’s Hotel, for residential accommodation and commercial space.
Speaking in Cappoquin, Minister Calleary said:
“I know that this ongoing regeneration, supported by funding from my Department, is having a very positive impact in promoting the town, including instilling confidence in investors to undertake privately funded renovation of buildings.
“As a result of the strategic vision by Waterford Council, its project partners, and targeted Government investment through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, this has helped breathe new life into the town.
“Of course, the work does not end here, and these projects are an example of what can be achieved by supporting and developing our rural towns and villages.”
Travelling to Lismore, Minister Calleary officially opened a new glamping pod facility, delivered through funding provided under the Community Recognition Fund (CRF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS). Funding of over €121,000 was provided to Waterford City and County Council under CRF to develop this new facility while €200,000 had been provided under TVRS to facilitate the acquisition of the former Bank of Ireland building where this is located.
Opening the glamping pods, Minister Calleary said:
“It is a pleasure to be here in Lismore, today and to witness first-hand the impact the Community Recognition Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme have in the delivery of this new Glamping Pod facility.
“This project exemplifies how the various funds my Department operates can collaborate to deliver exciting new amenities to local communities.
“Through thoughtful design focused on inclusivity and sustainability, this project will generate employment opportunities, attract visitors and benefit the wider community for years to come.”
Next, the Minister travelled to An Rinn where he cut the ribbon at Cóbh Heilbhic and made a visit to Coláiste na Rinne. ORIS funding of €30,000 was used to update the changing rooms on the beach to increase accessibility to, and use of, the beach for swimmers, snorkellers and scuba divers, both from the local area and tourists visiting the area. Also at An Rinn, Minister Calleary turned the sod at Páirc Uí Shíotcháin, where TVRS funding of €283,386 will deliver a dedicated green space for the community with a resurfaced car park, lighting, bike stands, picnic areas and a coffee dock stand.
The Minister also visited Lemybrien, for the official opening of a public realm project in Lemybrien Village Centre, and Kilrossanty to open upgrades to Mahon Bridge Trailhead that will facilitate access to Crough Wood and the Comeragh Mountains.
Minister Calleary then travelled to Portlaw where he opened three new walking trails at Tower Hill Woods.
As part of his visit to Waterford, the Minister also officially opened the KOKORO Visitor and Cultural Centre in the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens in Tramore, which was approved for LEADER funding of almost €160,000 and also receives funding under the Community Services Programme. The event was also attended by the Japanese Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Miyagawa Manabu.
Minister Calleary said:
“The facility celebrates the life and legacy of Lafcadio Hearn, who spent part of his childhood in Tramore before later settling in Japan, where he became internationally recognised for his writings on Japanese culture and folklore. I am glad my department could support this wonderful facility which acts as a cultural bridge between Ireland and Japan.”
Travelling to the outskirts of Waterford City, the Minister opened the Brill Family Resource Centre (BFRC). Under the Community Centre Investment Fund, Brill Family Resource Centre received funding towards construction works and the establishment of new bakery and cookery school. The Cookery school will have 12 cooking stations and support local families, individuals, disability services and homeless services leading to healthier families and communities while supporting people to build practical cooking skills and independence.
Next, Minister Calleary visited Carrickphierish Recreation Park, where €450,000 from the Community Recognition Fund (CRF) is being used to design and construct a playground, exercise area, multi-use games area, the planting of trees and shrubs and works on paths and lighting.
Finally, Minister Calleary visited the Waterford Greenway where he opened a Biodiversity hotspot and pocket recreation area connecting SETU West Campus to the Greenway.
Speaking at the Greenway, Minister Calleary said:
“By integrating a Greenway rest stop with an educational biodiversity zone, this initiative delivers dual benefits. It promotes outdoor recreation and wellbeing while supporting year-round tourism and local economic activity.
“It is deeply rewarding to see my Department drive meaningful, tangible change in our towns and villages. With the delivery of outstanding projects like this one, I can confidently say we are bringing the vision of Our Rural Future closer to reality than ever before.”
Preasráiteas
Dé Luain, an 8 Meitheamh 2026
Tugann an tAire Calleary cuairt ar chontae Phort Láirge chun oscailtí oifigúla agus iompuithe fóid dhéanamh
Inniu, Dé Luain, an 8 Meitheamh 2026, thug an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary TD, cuairt ar chontae Phort Láirge chun sraith oscailtí agus iompuithe fóid a reáchtáil do thionscadail ina ndírítear ar phobail a neartú agus ar athnuachan a thacú ar fud an chontae.
Thosaigh an chuairt i gCeapach Choinn áit ar oscail an tAire Calleary Siúlóid Lúibe Dhroichead Iarnróid Cheapach Choinn go hoifigiúil, tionscadal a fuair infheistíocht ón Scéim Bonneagar Áineasa Allamuigh. Rachaidh an siúlóid seo chun tairbhe do mhuintir na háite agus do chuairteoirí chun gnó agus turasóireacht sa cheantar a fheabhsú.
Agus é i gCeapach Choinn, thug an tAire Calleary cuairt ar dhá shuíomh atá san áireamh i dTionscadal Athnuachana Bhaile Cheapach Choinn, freagra straitéiseach agus nuálach chun dul i ngleic le tréigin agus chun beocht a chur sa bhaile. Le tacaíocht €7.2 mhilliún tríd an gCiste Athnuachana agus Forbartha Tuaithe, áirítear leis an tionscadal athchóiriú shraith seanfhoirgneamh folamh agus tréigthe i lár an bhaile, lena n-áirítear iar-Óstán Uí Mhóra, le haghaidh lóistín cónaithe agus spás tráchtála.
Ag labhairt i gCeapach Choinn, dúirt an tAire Calleary:
“Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil tionchar an-dearfach ag an athnuachan leanúnach seo, a fhaigheann tacaíocht ó mhaoiniú mo Roinnse, ar chur chun cinn an bhaile, lena n-áirítear muinín infheisteoirí a chothú chun athchóiriú foirgneamh a mhaoinítear go príobháideach a dhéanamh.
“Mar thoradh ar fhís straitéiseach chomhairle Phort Láirge, a comhpháirtithe tionscadail, agus infheistíocht spriocdhírithe Rialtais tríd an gCiste Athnuachana agus Forbartha Tuaithe, chuidigh sé seo le beocht nua a chur sa bhaile.
“Ar ndóigh, níl deireadh leis an obair anseo, agus is sampla iad na tionscadail seo de na rudaí is féidir a bhaint amach trí thacú lenár mbailte agus sráidbhailte tuaithe agus iad a fhorbairt.”
Ag taisteal go Lios Mór, d’oscail an tAire Calleary áis nua faighneoga glampála go hoifigiúil, a sheachadtar trí mhaoiniú a cuireadh ar fáil faoin gCiste Aitheantais Pobail agus faoin Scéim Athnuachana Bailte agus Sráidbhailte. Cuireadh maoiniú os cionn €121,000 ar fáil do Chomhairle Chathair agus Chontae Phort Láirge faoin gCiste Aitheantais Phobail chun an tsaoráid nua seo a fhorbairt agus cuireadh €200,000 ar fáil faoin Scéim Athnuachana Bailte agus Sráidbhailte chun cabhrú le ceannach seanfhoirgneamh Bhanc na hÉireann ina bhfuil sé suite.
Ag oscailt na bhfaighneoga glampála, dúirt an tAire:
“Is pléisiúr dom a bheith anseo i Lios Mór inniu agus tionchar an Chiste Aitheantais Phobail agus an Scéim Athnuachana Bailte agus Sráidbhailte a fheiceáil go díreach i seachadadh na saoráide nua Glampála seo.
“Léirítear sa tionscadal seo conas is féidir leis na cistí éagsúla a oibríonn mo Roinnse comhoibriú chun áiseanna nua spreagúla a sheachadadh do phobail áitiúla.
“Trí dhearadh machnamhach ina ndírítear ar chuimsitheacht agus inbhuanaitheacht, ginfear sa tionscadal seo deiseanna fostaíochta, meallfar cuairteoirí agus rachaidh sé chun tairbhe don phobal i gcoitinne sna blianta amach romhainn.”
Ansin, thaistil an tAire go dtí an Rinn áit ar ghearr sé an ribín ag Ceann Heilbhic agus thug sé cuairt ar Choláiste na Rinne. Baineadh úsáid as maoiniú €30,000 ón Scéim Bonneagar Áineasa Allamuigh chun na seomraí feistis ar an trá a nuashonrú chun rochtain agus úsáid na trá a mhéadú do snámhóirí, do snámhóirí snorclála agus do thumadóirí scúba, ón gceantar áitiúil agus do thurasóirí araon. Chomh maith leis sin, sa Rinn, d’iompaigh an tAire Calleary an fód i bPáirc Uí Shíocháin, áit a gcuirfidh maoiniú €283,386 ón Scéim Athnuachana Bailte agus Sráidbhailte spás glas tiomnaithe ar fáil don phobal le páirceáil athdhromchlaithe, soilsiú, seastáin rothair, limistéir phicnice agus seastán caife.
Thug an tAire cuairt freisin ar Léim Uí Bhriain, le haghaidh oscailt oifigiúil tionscadail réimse poiblí i lár shráidbhaile Léim Uí Bhriain, agus ar Chill Rosanta chun uasghráduithe a oscailt ar rian Dhroichead na Machan a éascóidh rochtain ar Choill na Cruaiche agus ar Shléibhte an Chomaraigh.
Ansin thaistil an tAire Calleary go Port Lách áit ar oscail sé trí rian siúil nua ag Coillte Chnoc an Túir.
Mar chuid dá chuairt ar Phort Láirge, d’oscail an tAire Ionad Cuairteoirí agus Cultúir KOKORO i nGairdíní Seapánacha Lafcadio Hearn i dTrá Mhór go hoifigiúil, a faomhadh le haghaidh maoiniú LEADER de bheagnach €160,000 agus a fhaigheann maoiniú faoi chlár na Seirbhísí Pobail freisin. D’fhreastail Ambasadóir na Seapáine go hÉirinn, a Shoilse Miyagawa Manabu, ar an ócáid freisin.
Dúirt an tAire Calleary:
“Ceiliúrann an tsaoráid saol agus oidhreacht Lafcadio Hearn, a chaith cuid dá óige i dTrá Mhór sular shocraigh sé síos sa tSeapáin ina dhiaidh sin, áit ar bhain sé aitheantas idirnáisiúnta amach as a chuid scríbhinní ar chultúr agus ar bhéaloideas na Seapáine. Tá áthas orm gur éirigh le mo Roinnse tacú leis an tsaoráid iontach seo a fheidhmíonn mar dhroichead cultúir idir Éirinn agus an tSeapáin.”
Ag taisteal go dtí imeall Chathair Phort Láirge, d’oscail an tAire Ionad Acmhainní Teaghlaigh BRILL. Faoi Chiste Infheistíochta na nIonad Pobail, fuair Ionad Acmhainní Teaghlaigh BRILL maoiniú i dtreo oibreacha tógála agus bunú bácúis agus scoil cócaireachta nua. Beidh 12 stáisiún cócaireachta ag an scoil chócaireachta agus tacóidh an scoil le teaghlaigh áitiúla, daoine aonair, seirbhísí míchumais agus seirbhísí do dhaoine gan dídean, rud a fhágfaidh go mbeidh teaghlaigh agus pobail níos sláintiúla ann agus go dtabharfaidh an scoil tacaíocht do dhaoine scileanna cócaireachta praiticiúla agus neamhspleáchas a fhorbairt.
Ansin, thug an tAire Calleary cuairt ar Pháirc Áineasa Charraig Phiarais, áit a bhfuil €450,000 ón gCiste Aitheantais Phobail á húsáid chun clós súgartha, limistéar aclaíochta, limistéar cluichí ilúsáide a dhearadh agus a thógáil, crainn agus toir a phlandáil agus oibreacha ar chosáin agus soilsiú.
Ar deireadh, thug an tAire Calleary cuairt ar Bhealach Glas na nDéise áit ar oscail sé limistéar bithéagsúlachta agus áineasa a nascann Campas Thiar Ollscoil Theicneolaíochta an Iardheiscirt leis an mBealach Glas.
Ag labhairt ar an mBealach Glas, dúirt an tAire Calleary:
“Trí stad sosa ar an mBealach Glas a chomhtháthú le crios bithéagsúlachta oideachais, tugann an tionscnamh seo a dhá oiread buntáistí. Cuireann sé áineasa agus folláine faoin aer chun cinn agus tacaíonn sé le turasóireacht agus gníomhaíocht eacnamaíoch áitiúil ó cheann ceann na bliana.
“Is iontach an rud é a fheiceáil go bhfuil mo Roinnse ag tiomáint athrú fiúntach, follasach inár mbailte agus inár sráidbhailte. Le seachadadh tionscadal den scoth mar seo, is féidir liom a rá go muiníneach go bhfuil fís Ár dTodhchaí Tuaithe á fíorú againn.”