Santa brings almost €650k to two Laois towns
In Ballinakill, almost €300k will go to the regeneration of Market Square and improvements to public areas. File image
TWO Laois towns will share almost €650,000 after Santa arrived with festive funding this week.
Mountmellick and Ballinakill have been approved for substantial grants, which were confirmed today under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Mountmellick has received funding of €347,000, while Ballinakill has been awarded €297,000.
The majority of the Mountmellick fund, or €297,000, will go towards enhancement of the existing carpark, to support an increasing number of visitors to local facilities.
The improvements will include resurfacing, EV charger ducting, space marking, pedestrian safety enhancements and a widened entrance and exit.
An additional €50,000 for Mountmellick will go to development of a masterplan for Smiths Field, an under-utilised green space in the town centre.
In Ballinakill, the grant will be spent on the regeneration of Market Square and improvements to public areas.
The annual Town and Village Renewal Scheme aims to stimulate economic and social regeneration and future development of small and medium urban centres.
Welcoming the grants today, local TD Seán Fleming said: ‘I want to thank the communities in Mountmellick and Ballinakill and Laois County Council for their work in preparing these funding applications, which have now been approved by government.
‘I look forward to Ballinakill and Mountmellick progressing with these much-needed improvement works in their areas in 2026.’
