Minister opens five Laois community projects on whistle stop visit

RECENTLY, Laois Co Council welcomed the minister for rural and community development and the gaeltacht Dara Calleary to Co Laois for the official opening of five government‑funded community projects in various locations across the county. The visit was centred on highlighting the impact of targeted capital investment in supporting community development and social enterprise. During the visit, the minister was on hand to officially open a number of projects that had been gestating in development across Laois for several years.

They are ‒ Market House, Portarlington: a redevelopment which was run in collaboration with Laois Co Council, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and various local elected members. The newly revamped Market House will henceforth serve as a community and civic hub, providing public space, meeting rooms, exhibition and workshop areas, office accommodation and support facilities. Its design ensures accessibility and a solid relationship with the surrounding public realm, helping to enhance town centre vitality and footfall.

People’s Park, Portarlington: prior to the project, the park consisted primarily of open green space with a playground and limited seating, with no dedicated facilities for outdoor events; thus the project set out to better meet the needs of the local community with the provision of a new central plaza/event space, an edible garden, an outdoor adventure activity area, upgrade of play equipment and the development of natural play features. It also now includes the upgrade of park furniture throughout the park, enhanced landscaping, including a tree trail, provision of sculptures and enhanced information signage.

Compass Community Hub (formerly The Hive), Portlaoise: originally the St Francis School for children with disabilities, the building fell into vacancy in 2021 when the school relocated before being bought by the Laois Partnership Company to become the new headquarters of the local development enterprise. Following this, the group availed of a mix of EU and state funding to upgrade the premises, multiple funding rounds which have enabled the space to be relaunched under the Compass Community Hub moniker, an accessible community hub that supports a wide range of local development, inclusion and community activities.

Café Donate, Mountrath: Café Donate is a community‑led social enterprise café located on Patrick Street, Mountrath, which is aimed at providing a welcoming and inclusive space while supporting social inclusion, skills development and local employment.

Mountrath River Walk and Town Centre Enhancement Scheme: a general rejuvenation of Mountrath town centre and river walk was also celebrated during the minister’ visit. Improvements include upgrading the pedestrian walkway along the White Horse (Mountrath) river, the introduction of accessible outdoor dining furniture to improve inclusivity, restoration of the entrance to the Quakers’ graveyard, with landscaping and interpretive signage, and general streetscape improvements to enhance the overall town centre environment.

Speaking in Portarlington at the outset of his visit, minister Calleary said: “I am delighted to be here in Portarlington to officially open this landmark project. Funding of nearly €1.4 million was provided under my department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. As one of the principal projects within the Portarlington Regeneration Strategy 2030, this will transform the centre of Portarlington and play a key role in the day-to-day life of this community. It will help increase footfall in the town and stimulate further investment in buildings and streetscapes across the town.”

Funded by the local Democracy Reporting Scheme