The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, announced funding of €26 million for 116 projects across rural communities in Ireland under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) on 22 December 2025. The funding aims to stimulate town centre economic and social regeneration, tackle vacancy and dereliction, and enhance footfall in rural towns.
The investments will support projects that rejuvenate town centres, develop pedestrian zones and outdoor spaces, boost tourism, and foster community engagement. The scheme also provides funding for pre-development costs, helping communities prepare applications for future funding calls and ensuring projects are ready for implementation.
TVRS has proven to be a vital mechanism for rural development, as highlighted during the recent opening of the Canal House Community Youth Facility in Belmullet, County Mayo. Funded with €500,000 under the 2022 scheme, the facility offers a dedicated space for youth activities in the Erris area.
Among the projects approved under the 2025 scheme are the refurbishment of a 1940s community hall in Mountshannon, Clare, into a theatre and market space; renovation of the vacant Gaol Block in Nenagh, Tipperary, for a visitor experience; conversion of two vacant buildings into a community café and shop in Glenmore, Kilkenny; redevelopment of the old Shinrone Library in Offaly into a modern multi-purpose space; renovation of the Múseum Chorca Dhuibhne in the Gaeltacht; regeneration of the Market Town Square in Ballinakill, Laois; and construction of a playground in Collon, Louth.
Minister Calleary emphasized the ongoing positive impact of the TVRS, noting that the scheme strengthens rural communities both economically and socially. He highlighted the high quality of applications submitted by local authorities in collaboration with communities and the increasing engagement of towns participating in the Town Centre First process.
Of the 116 successful projects, 77 received €24.4 million under the TVRS Main Scheme, while 39 projects were awarded €1.85 million through the TVRS Project Development Measure. The latter supports local authorities in developing project pipelines and preparing projects for implementation, ensuring communities are ready to maximize the benefits of future investments.
