North Cork Fine Gael Councillor John Paul O’Shea has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD on the 8 successful Cork County Community projects to be funded under 2021 CLÁR Programme. Three projects were successful in North Cork – Kiskeam, Knocknagree & Millstreet.
This funding, totalling over €298,000 for Cork County, will support local groups in developing community and sensory gardens, outdoor spaces and allotments in rural towns and villages.
Welcoming the funding, Cllr. O’Shea said “The CLÁR funding, provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and administered through Cork County Council, will support community led interventions in the hearts of the 8 towns and villages. Community Groups, Tidy Towns and Development Associations will be empowered to making their localities more vibrant places to live. The works funded will go a long way towards maintaining and developing a sense of community by providing central spaces for public activities.”
The CLÁR Programme is a key example of what can be achieved when local communities, local government and national government work together. Local community groups bring unique perspectives on the needs of their communities, and by availing of Cork County Council’s expertise with national funding, they are capable of engaging in transformative projects. The fact that 8 Cork County projects were approved for a total of nearly €300,000 serves as glowing recognition of the creativity and resilience of our community sector.
The 2021 CLÁR Programme is a key part of the Government’s five-year rural development strategy, Our Rural Future.
The following Cork County projects were approved for funding.
MEASURE 1 Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
| School Name/Community Facility Name | Project Description | Amount of CLÁR funding approved |
| Kiskeam Development Association | Pedestrian crossing in front of Kiskeam National School, improve parking for playground, traffic calming measures and footpath access to Kiskeam Playground. | €50,000.00
|
| Bantry Bay Sailing Club | Purchase of digital speed safety signs. | €14,000.00
|
| Leap Church Community car park | Leap National School Parking for the church, national school, playschool, playground and local community. | €29,700.00
|
MEASURE 2 Outdoor Community Recreation Facilities
| School Name/Community Facility Name | Project Description | Amount of CLÁR funding approved |
| Schull Community Council | Upgrade of existing facilities with new equipment along the coastal walk. | €13,500.00
|
| Millstreet Tidy Towns/ Cork County Council | Redevelopment of pollinator park to public space with covered areas. | €48,375.00
|
| Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Barra Rua_Barryroe GAA | Solar lighting of community walkway around local GAA pitches. | €48,617.00 |
MEASURE 3A Community Wellbeing Support (a) Community Gardens and Allotments
| Community Facility Name | Project Description | Amount of CLÁR funding approved |
| Cork Durras & District Community Council | Durras Sensory Garden and Allotments. | €44,179.00 |
| Knocknagree Community Development Group | Sensory Garden in Fairfield & provide covered area in a paved circle to facilitate outdoor events/activity in the park. | €49,999.50 |
