A funding allocation of €12.1million has been hailed as an important milestone in the regeneration of Creeslough village.
The allocation, announced today, will go towards the construction of a new central hub for community life in Creeslough, as the village continues its journey of healing after the October 2022 explosion in which 10 people lost their lives.
The regeneration project, which has a total value of €13,529,935, forms an integrated part of the Village Plan. The co-funding balance of €1,352,093 will be provided by Donegal County Council.
The new central hub will support Creeslough on a journey towards a vibrant, healthy, well serviced and socially inclusive and sustainable community
“The Council remains conscious at all times of the tragedy which occurred in the village on 7th October 2022 and the challenge that this remains for the entire community and everyone affected by those tragic events,” said Mr. Liam Ward, Chairperson of the Creeslough Working Group and Director of Community Development and Planning Services, Donegal County Council.
“The Council endeavours at all times in its Creeslough community work to respect the wishes, privacy, personal grief and dignity of the families and the wider community and will strive to do so as this project moves forward,” Mr Ward said.
Mr Ward acknowledged the role of the Creeslough Community Association, the Trustees (of the Field), ARUP and his own colleagues in Donegal County Council and the Creeslough Working Group for their commitment, energy and leadership in progressing the Creeslough Community Regeneration Project to this important milestone of approval under the Fifth Call of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).
Welcoming the funding announcement Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Martin Harley said “I am delighted to welcome this positive news this morning. Much work has been accomplished over the past 12 months by community stakeholders and other agencies who have worked collaboratively with the Council’s own Regeneration and Development Team to consult, design and position this community project for capital funding.
“This positive announcement today is welcome reward for their collective efforts and it is my sincere wish that it will be an importance source of hope and support to the community as it looks to the future. I wish to thank Minister Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development for this important and merited award for the Creeslough Community and I now look forward with great anticipation to the delivery of this ambitious and exciting project.”
Impression of the Creeslough Hub
Acknowledging the funding announcement, Mr. John McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council said “The Council is committed to our rural communities and securing investment in the renewal and regeneration of our towns and villages and great progress has been made towards our regeneration ambitions under this Fund. The Council has applied significant and experienced resources to the consent, funding, procurement and delivery stages of large scale regeneration projects and now looks forward to supporting the Creeslough Community in the delivery of this important project.
“The next steps will see the Project now move through a process of due diligence, before procurement and detailed design stages lead to capital construction stage. The Council is well prepared to ensure that established momentum is maintained towards the detailed design and delivery stages of this project.”
The Council also acknowledged that the Rathmullan (Community & Heritage) Regeneration Project was not successful under the Fifth Call of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
“The Council remains committed to the development and progression of this project and is confident in the strength of the project as a regeneration proposition. The Council will take some time to consider feedback from the application process together with community partners and to reappraise the options for repositioning this project towards future eligible funding opportunities,” a spokesperson said.