Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has announced €12.3 million in funding for 206 community initiatives under the 2025 CLÁR programme.

The announcement was made during a visit to Kiltimagh Knock Utd. soccer club in County Mayo, which will receive just over €50,000 for a new two-bay spectator stand.

The funding will support sports clubs and community facilities nationwide, including playgrounds, astro-turf pitches, walking tracks, spectator stands and upgrades to community centres. Dedicated supports are also being provided for Gaeltacht communities and the offshore islands.

Approved projects include:

- County Clare – Bridgetown: €100,000 to build a new astro turf pitch at Bridge Celtic AFC and Bridgetown National School.

- County Cork – Newmarket: €100,000 to Newmarket Sports & Leisure to resurface the trail in Island Wood.

- County Galway – Inis Meáin: €49,808 to Comhlact Forbartha Inis Meáin to develop a playground at Inis Meáin Community Centre.

- County Mayo – Clare Island: €22,958 for a generator at Clare Island Community Centre.

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- County Leitrim – Drumshanbo: €99,671 for enhancement works at the Sliabh an Iarainn visitor's centre.

- County Monaghan – Clones: €100,000 for a community gym and spectator stand at Currin GFC.

- County Sligo – Ballintogher: €100,000 to refurbish the community playground.

- County Wicklow – Tinahely: €100,000 to develop a new community gym in Ballymanus.

Speaking today, Minister Calleary said: "The CLÁR programme continues to provide vital support in some of our most remote rural areas. These projects help build strong resilient and vibrant communities through the enhancement of existing community facilities and the provision of new amenities to support young and old across a range of services.

"Today's announcement of over €12 million will see 206 projects being delivered in communities across the country and on our offshore Islands. I was particularly pleased to include a specific provision for projects in Gaeltacht areas this year. These projects will no doubt make a valuable contribution to the people who live in and visit these communities.

"With today's announcement, I have now allocated €14 million to projects under CLAR this year – the highest allocation since the scheme was reintroduced in 2016. The funding continues to grow as we see the huge impact this funding has in our rural areas."

Today's allocations cover Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities, and Measure 3: Our Living Islands. Funding under Measure 2 was announced earlier this year. A full list of the 206 projects is available on gov.ie.

CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) supports small-scale capital projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant depopulation. Reopened in 2016, the programme backs collaboration between local authorities and community organisations. Targeted areas include parts of Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath and Wicklow, as well as all of County Leitrim.