Over €4.7 million has been provided for the Trim Library and Cultural Centre regeneration project and the Kells Creative Placemaking project, under funding delivered through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

The €4,711,504 announcement by Minister for Rural & Community Development Michael Ring is part of a national package worth €62 million to help deliver a total of 26 projects across the country.

The Trim Library Cultural Centre has being provided funding of €3,718,670.  Estimated to cost in the region of €4,958,277, the regeneration project will see the redevelopment of the existing library in Trim and the adjacent chapel to provide a multifunctional space that will include an extended library and a theatre.  The facility will contribute to the ongoing and sustainable regeneration of Trim and provide an important community and visitor facility in the town centre.

A second project, The Kells Creative Placemaking (Phase 1)  has received funding of €992,834, with an estimated cost of over €1m.  This heritage led regeneration project involves the regeneration of two heritage buildings in the town centre, the former Courthouse and a former sawmills to become the Kells Courthouse Cultural Hub and Kells Printworks and Centre for Typography.   The project will help attract artists, students and other visitors to the town and drive cultural and economic activity in Kells.

Speaking at the event today Minister Ring said “I am delighted to announce the successful projects from the second call for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. The Fund was established under Project Ireland 2040 to deliver the targeted investment necessary to ensure that rural Ireland continues to grow and prosper and deliver on the balanced regional growth that is in everyone’s interests.”

He concluded “Today’s announcement represents the completion of the second call for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. We have had a phenomenal level of interest, with applications of an excellent standard, and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all those who were successful.”

Details of the successful projects under second call for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund are available here.