Preasráiteas: Osclaíonn an tAire Calleary Gairdín Céadfach i mBéal an Átha go hoifigiúil
Press Release
Friday, 25 September 2026
Minister Calleary officially opens Sensory Garden in Ballina
- Funding of €54,570 provided to develop a Sensory Garden in Ballina under the Community Recognition Fund
- Minister commends extraordinary community effort in developing and fundraising for the garden
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, today (Friday, 25 September 2026) officially opened the newly developed Sensory Garden in his hometown of Ballina. The garden, which was awarded funding of €54,570 under the Community Recognition Fund 2024, will provide a therapeutic and calming outdoor sanctuary which will enhance the lives of people with sensory needs.
The Community Recognition Fund was introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland.
The Community Recognition Fund has provided over €4.7 million in Mayo towards the delivery of over 80 projects supporting towns and villages across the county.
The sensory garden was also allocated funding of €65,000 in 2021 from the then Minister for Disability, Anne Rabbitte.
Speaking at the opening in Ballina, Minister Calleary said:
“I am delighted to be here in my hometown to witness the great work that has been completed here in this sensory garden through the Community Recognition Fund. This space will provide a calming and therapeutic environment for all, particularly children and adults with additional needs, disabilities or those living with an illness or health condition.
“It is a wonderful example of how investment in our communities can create spaces that are inclusive, welcoming and make a real difference to people’s lives. Huge credit must go to Western Care, Flow Community Project and Ballina Community Clean-up who have done trojan work on this project.
“I also want to thank my colleague, Senator Anne Rabbitte for her commitment to the project.”
Preasráiteas
Dé hAoine, an 25 Meán Fómhair 2026
Osclaíonn an tAire Calleary Gairdín Céadfach i mBéal an Átha go hoifigiúil
- Cuireadh maoiniú €54,570 ar fáil chun Gairdín Céadfach a fhorbairt i mBéal an Átha faoin gCiste Aitheantais Pobail
- Molann an tAire an tsáriarracht a rinne an pobal chun an gairdín a fhorbairt agus chun cistí a bhailiú ina leith
Inniu (Dé hAoine, an 25 Meán Fómhair 2026) d’oscail an tAire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta, Dara Calleary TD, an Gairdín Céadfach nua-fhorbartha go hoifigiúil ina bhaile dúchais, Béal an Átha. Cuirfidh an gairdín – ar bronnadh maoiniú €54,570 air faoin gCiste Aitheantais Pobail 2024 – tearmann suaimhneach teiripeach ar fáil faoin aer a rachaidh chun sochair do shaol daoine a bhfuil riachtanais chéadfacha acu.
Tugadh an Ciste Aitheantais Pobail isteach sa bhliain 2023 chun aitheantas a thabhairt do na sáriarrachtaí a dhéanann pobail chun fáilte a chur roimh dhaoine a thagann go hÉirinn agus chun tacú leo. Cuireadh breis agus €4.7 milliún ar fáil faoin gCiste Aitheantais Pobail i gContae Mhaigh Eo chun tacú le breis agus 80 tionscadal i mbailte agus i sráidbhailte ar fud an chontae.
Leithdháileadh maoiniú €65,000 ar an ngairdín céadfach freisin sa bhliain 2021 ón Aire Míchumais ag an am, Anne Rabbitte.
Ag labhairt ag an oscailt i mBéal an Átha, dúirt an tAire Calleary:
“Tá an-áthas orm a bheith anseo i mo bhaile dúchais chun an obair iontach a cuireadh i gcrích anseo sa ghairdín céadfach seo, a bhuí leis an gCiste Aitheantais Pobail, a fheiceáil. Cuirfear timpeallacht shuaimhneach agus theiripeach ar fáil do chách sa spás seo, go háirithe do leanaí agus do dhaoine fásta a bhfuil riachtanais bhreise nó míchumais acu, nó dóibh siúd atá ag maireachtáil le tinneas nó le riocht sláinte.
“Is sampla iontach é seo den chaoi ar féidir le hinfheistíocht inár bpobail spásanna a chruthú atá cuimsitheach agus fáilteach, agus a dhéanann fíordhifríocht i saol na ndaoine. Ba chóir moladh mór a thabhairt do Western Care, do Flow Community Project agus do Ghlanadh Pobail Bhéal an Átha as an obair ollmhór a rinne siad ar an tionscadal seo.
“Gabhaim buíochas freisin le mo chomhghleacaí, an Seanadóir Anne Rabbitte, as a tiomantas don tionscadal.”