Kilkenny County Council has welcomed the allocation of €1,135,785 million by Minister Heather Humphreys of the Department of Rural and Community Development under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2021.

The funding will support projects in Gowran, Kilmanagh, Urlingford, Graiguenamanagh and Piltown.

"This is wonderful and exciting news for the communities of these five towns. This funding is about helping our towns and villages become more attractive places to live, work and do business. The staff in the Council's Community Department work closely with communities in submitting these applications for funding and it is hugely rewarding for everyone when applications are successful resulting in local people and communities playing an integral part in how their local area develops into the future," said Cllr. Fidelis Doherty, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council.

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The €1.1m package brings total investment in Kilkenny's towns and villages to almost €4.6m over the past five years, supported by the Council’s annual matched funding approved by elected members.

Project allocations are as follows: Gowran will develop an intergenerational outdoor activity hub in the town centre (€250,000); Kilmanagh will redevelop the former school and ballpark, vacant since the 1970s, into a multi-purpose community activity hub (€43,542); Urlingford will convert a vacant Main Street bank building into a Remote Working Hub (€250,000); Graiguenamanagh will enhance the Barrow Activities Hub to boost use by residents and visitors (€92,242.84); and Piltown will regenerate its former Garda Station as a remote working hub for up to 20 people (€500,000).