Sun shines in Kilglass as new centre opens
Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD officially opens the Kilglass Digital Hub. Also included are Minister of State Frank Feighan TD; Marian Harkin TD; Cllr Gerard Mullaney, Cathaoirleach, Sligo Co Council; Cllr Joe Queenan and local committee members. Picture: John O'Grady
It was a red-letter day in the picturesque West Sligo village of Kilglass last Saturday as Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys officially opened the local Digital Hub.
After a long winter and rain-sodden spring, glorious sunshine greeted Minister Humphreys as the seaside village looked at its very best for the historic occasion.
In February 2022, Kilglass Community Council was awarded €500,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to develop a new Digital Hub and Business Centre. Two years later, the project has come full circle with the Minister on hand to cut the tape on the new centre.
Shortly after welcoming Minister Humphreys to Kilglass, it was announced that the local community council has been awarded €1,163,710 under the Community Centres Investment Fund.
The funding will support the development of a new community centre in the village, serving the communities of Kilglass, Enniscrone and Culleens. This development will consist of a multi-purpose hall that can be used for sports, meetings, and other activities, and will feature a stage for performances of amateur plays, children’s concerts, and other community events. This will complete phase two of this landmark development and will provide much-needed facilities in the community.
This development supports the goals under the social inclusion, poverty, and equality section of the Local Economic and Community Plan for County Sligo. As the area covered has a relatively high level of disadvantage, investment in new facilities will foster stronger community bonds and activities, thus lessening isolation, exclusion, and the risk of disadvantage.
Welcoming the announcement, Chairperson of Kilglass Community Council, Louise McDonnell, said: “This funding will be transformative for the area and will provide much-needed facilities which will support the community now and for decades to come. I would like to thank Minister Heather Humphreys and the Department of Rural and Community Development for giving our community this opportunity.
"I would also like to acknowledge the support of Minister Frank Feighan TD, who was instrumental in supporting our committee and Sligo County Council for assisting us with the grant application process.”
