Community projects in Laois share over €610,000
Tom Jacob at the Old School Men's Shed in Raheen with Emma O'Connor of Laois Co Council during 2025 Men's Health Week. The old schoolhouse in Raheen, the new home of Portlaoise Men's Shed, has received €65,000 for upgrades under CLÁR funding. Photo Denis Byrne
NINE community projects in Laois will share more than €610,000 in CLÁR funding announced today.
A Men’s Shed, schools and sports clubs are among those selected for grants ranging from €29,694 to €100,000, as part of a total county fund of €611,124.
The biggest winners are Donaghmore and Rathdowney, with each receiving €100,000 for important local developments.
The grant for Donaghmore Famine Workhouse and Agricultural Museum is for installation of accessible toilets and a wastewater treatment system, while Clover United FC in Rathdowney will be able to resurface the small astro pitch.
Grants of €65,000 each will go to Coolrain Tidy Towns for a playground upgrade; Crettyard AFC for installation of a new community astro turf pitch; the Old School Men’s Shed in Raheen to upgrade the old schoolhouse; Slieve Bloom GAA Club in Mountrath for a new astroturf pitch and the SVT Activity & Wellness Hub in Vicarstown for recreational area enhancement.
Gaelscoil tSlí Dála in Ballaghmore has been awarded €56,430 for enhancement of the existing sensory garden, while Ballyfin NS will receive €29,694 for fencing of the multi-use games area (MUGA).
Welcoming the funding, Laois TD Seán Fleming said it would “make a real difference in people’s lives”, helping to improve local facilities, create safer and more accessible spaces and bring communities closer together.
He said: “I want to sincerely thank all those organisations and the people involved, for their work in making excellent applications for this funding and ensuring that this funding will be of benefit to the local communities.”
