Construction has officially begun on the new Ionad Pobail Mhaigh Cuilinn, a state-of-the-art community facility that will serve Maigh Cuilinn and the surrounding area in County Galway.

The €9.3 million project will receive €7 million in funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, including €6 million through the Community Centre Investment Fund and €1 million from an Ciste Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga. The new facility will provide modern community and enterprise spaces designed to support local groups, businesses, and Irish language initiatives in the Gaeltacht area.

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, turned the sod on site to mark the start of the works.

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Speaking at the event, Minister Calleary said: "I am delighted to be here today in Maigh Cuilinn as we turn the sod for construction to start on this wonderful centre. This community facility, which includes an enterprise hub, will greatly add to community life for those in Maigh Cuilinn and the wider catchment area.

"This project will help support the community in becoming more sustainable and resilient, and will provide much needed space for a range of community groups and activities, as well as local enterprises in this Gaeltacht location, and will also further strengthen the language planning process by providing spaces where Irish language events and activities are promoted and encouraged."

Minister Calleary concluded: "I want to commend the community here in Maigh Cuilinn for their vision and determination in seeing this project to this stage following many long years of work. I very much look forward to returning in the not too distant future to see the centre completed. It will no doubt be transformative for the wider community for generations to come."

The project marks a significant investment in local infrastructure and is one of more than 100 developments across County Galway supported by the Community Centre Investment Fund since 2022.

Photo credit: maighcuilinn.net