'This is what rural Ireland can look like”: Minister Calleary praises €40 million community investment during Leitrim visit

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, visited County Leitrim on Thursday, April 24, where he officially opened a number of high-impact community projects and praised the county’s use of over €40 million in funding from his Department.

Speaking at Leitrim Village, Minister Calleary commended the role of volunteers and local collaboration. “This is a facility that will last many years… all of that is because of volunteer input, people who give up their time freely to put the plans together,” he said. He credited the Community Recognition Fund for enabling towns like Leitrim Village to build inclusive, welcoming spaces. “It's all about telling people who are new to our community and new to our country—you are welcome, you are part of this.”

In Carrick-on-Shannon, the Minister joined local leaders for the formal unveiling of the newly redeveloped Market Yard. The €1 million regeneration, driven by MRD Marketing Ltd., has transformed a once-derelict space into a bustling town centre hub for commerce, creativity, and community life.

Minister Dara Calleary meets and greets locals at the Market Yard in Carrick on Shannon.

“This is what rural Ireland can look like—with proper collaboration, with community, with local authority, and with central government working together,” said Minister Calleary. “It’s vibrant, it’s busy, and it’s making a difference. Projects like this are not cathedrals in the desert—they’re real, they’re lived in, and they’re loved.

“This yard was purchased in trust for the people of Carrick back in 1991. What you see here today is the result of decades of dedication—and vital funding from schemes like the Town and Village Renewal programme.”

The Market Yard now hosts multicultural events, artisan food kiosks, and will soon offer a tourist information point and community performance space. “I’ve been absolutely entranced by what I’ve seen here today. You are building something sustainable here—something that welcomes families, artists, businesses, and even people living with autism or dementia.”

Minister Calleary also travelled to Leitrim Village, where he opened a suite of inclusive community amenities including an astroturf pitch, community gym, seating areas, and bus shelter—developed under the Community Recognition Fund.

“This is about inclusion,” the Minister told the crowd. “Telling people who are new to our community and new to our country: you are welcome, you are part of this. Over €4.5 million has been allocated to Leitrim County Council through this fund, and what’s happening here is some of the best practice in the country.”

He praised local volunteers and councils for delivering facilities that serve everyone from young children to the elderly. “This facility will last for many years,” he said. “Without the local input—without that concept of working together—we wouldn’t be here.”

The Minister performed multiple official openings, including the Dromahair Library, sports facilities in Drumshanbo, and public realm upgrades in Mohill.

Gerard Murtagh of MRD Marketing Limited, which spearheaded the Market Yard redevelopment, noted the long journey: “This was a derelict market yard… purchased in trust for the people of Carrick back in 1991. What we have here today would not have happened without the significant sums allocated to us through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.”

Leitrim County Council Chief Executive Joseph Gilhooly called the development “a prime example of what community drive, vision and resilience can deliver,” and emphasized how national policies like Our Rural Future and Town Centre First are shaping Leitrim’s progress.

Minister Calleary closed the day by reaffirming his Department’s commitment to meaningful investment: “There’s no sense in speaking of big amounts of money unless you see an impact on the ground. What’s happening here in Leitrim shows that impact—and that’s what we want to replicate across the country.”

In Dromahair, he unveiled the village’s new state-of-the-art library—another project completed with funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development.

The Minister concluded his tour in Drumkeeran, where he viewed progress on a new car park and scenic viewing area.

READ MORE IN PICTURES: Minister on whirlwind tour of Leitrim to view major projects