€100,000 funding confirmed for teenage recreational space in Mayo town

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has today confirmed funding of €100,000 for the Friary Grounds Teen Zone in Ballyhaunis. The space will provide a safe and attractive place for young people to meet friends, spend time outdoors and engage in unstructured play and recreation.

Speaking today, Minister Calleary said:

“I am delighted to be able to confirm the €100,000 in funding for this project in Ballyhaunis. In this intense digital age, it is more important than ever that we provide our teenagers and young adults with spaces where they can feel safe, be themselves and spent time talking, forging friendships and making memories that will last a lifetime.” 

“I want to thank the community in Ballyhaunis and Mayo County Council who have been working together and advocating for this space. They held public consultations with teenagers, young adults and community groups which have proved invaluable in securing this funding. I also want to thank my colleague, Minister Norma Foley, for granting this funding and for believing in the project.” 

Local Authorities, working with their local Comhairle na nÓg (local youth councils), were invited to develop and submit a proposal for a project to address the recreational needs of teenagers in their local authority area, up to a maximum cost of €100,000, with matched funding of 25% required from the Local Authority. The total funding available was €400,000. In total, four projects across the country today received funding of €100,000 each.

The funding, announced today by Minster for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, was secured from the Dormant Accounts Funding and National Development Plan following the successful 2025 pilot, Making Places for and with Teenagers.

Announcing the funding, Minister Norma Foley said:

"I am delighted to announce four new teenage specific recreational spaces under the ‘Making Spaces for and with Teenagers Initiative.’ This will provide our young people with opportunities to meet and spent time together in a place they can call their own. There are innovative features such as music speakers, work-out equipment, football tables, table tennis tables, an in-ground trampoline suitable for wheelchairs and even designs suitable for parkour movements.”