Massive funding for Drumshanbo and Glenfarne announced this morning

Drumshanbo based FG Cllr and Chairman of Drumshanbo Community Council Enda McGloin has this morning (Monday) warmly welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD that her department has allocated €5,555,148 to fund the new EXCHANGE Project which will get this significant regeneration project get the go-ahead for Drumshanbo under the RRDF programme.

Separately, in Glenfarne the greenlight has been given to commence the 1st phase of the Glenfarne Wood, Rural Regeneration Project. This is a partnership project led by Coillte with Leitrim Co Council. This area which is close the N16 and the proposed SLNCR greenway route will see the development of Glenfarne Wood into a significant tourism destination. The proposed spend of €2,588,0540 will kickstart several of the proposals within the plan which has received full planning.

The successful application for Drumshanbo contains plans to repurpose two high profile buildings in the town centre including the former Bank of Ireland as the Exchange Smart Working Hub and Creative Studios which will create access to the town back lands for recreation and business use and now following planning permission, the €6.2m project will see the repurposing of the prominent buildings in the town centre into the EXCHANGE Smart Hub Facility and will deliver a riverside amenity experiences and enhancement to the people’s park

The application this project will bring a derelict building back into use, increase footfall and regenerate the town centre creating the potential for a smart digital working hub and creatives spaces generating more employment based in the town centre.

“The closure of the Bank of Ireland building in the town centre was a devasting blow to the community at the time however from the ashes rises the phoenix in the guise of the EXCHANGE project which will bring employment, reduce dereliction and bring ownership of our town centre back to the people”.

Minister Humphreys department is now committed to spend in excess of €6.2m with this announcement and the previous allocation for plan preparation and building purchasing.

“I wish to conclude by thanking Fergal Mc Partland of our Community Council alongside Orla Casey of Momentum consulting who worked very hard on the project and to Joseph Gilhooly, Shay O’Connor (retired), Pauric MacShera, Joe Lowe and Nicola McManus of Leitrim County Council who compiled an excellent project application. I also wish to thank Minister Humphreys who has visited Drumshanbo on a number of times at my invitation and saw for herself the worth of this project & application.

“I am grateful for the support of Frank Feighan TD who has supported my lobbying efforts to ensure this project was successful.

“Our collective ambitions are high, and we have some exciting opportunities ahead for our town “We look forward with confidence as this development coupled with the new Food Hub on the Dowra Road, the ongoing expansion of the existing food hub and their businesses will bring renewed confidence for the future of Drumshanbo” concluded Cllr Mc Gloin.