€6.7m funding for Westmeath sports clubs

Over €6.7m in funding has been allocated to sports clubs across Westmeath to support a range of projects.

Over 50 Westmeath clubs have been allocated funding in the latest round of the Sports Capital Grant Scheme. The biggest beneficiaries locally are Mullingar Rugby Club, who received €436,663 to help fund new changing rooms, showers and toilets, and Mullingar Athletic, who received €358,310 that will go towards the provision of a new synthetic grass pitch and floodlights.

Over 30 local GAA clubs received funding for a range of projects. Mullingar Shamrocks (reconstruction of playing pitch) and Tyrrellspass GAA (juvenile pitch, fencing, ball catchers and goals) have been allocated €200,000, while Oliver Plunketts (gym) and St Mary's, Rochfortbridge (energy efficient LED lights for two pitches) are to get €199,175 and €195,175 respectively.

Other local clubs to receive funding include Mullingar Cricket Club (€121,456 - new ground development) and Raharney United (€60,757 – increased female/disabled membership numbers).

Deputy Robert Troy has welcomed the allocation of €6.7m in grant funding to support local and community grassroots sports clubs across Westmeath.

Nationwide, 1,996 grants have been announced, to a total value of €230m for new and improved sports facilities and equipment throughout the country under the Community Sport Facilities Fund, formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.

Combined with May’s allocation of €26m for sports equipment, the grants bring the total investment in community sport and recreation in 2024 to an unprecedented €256 million, the largest-ever investment in sports facilities nationwide, which has been delivered by Fianna Fáil in government.

Deputy Troy said: “This funding for sports clubs in Westmeath has been announced by my party colleague, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, as part of the largest-ever investment in sports facilities nationwide.

“This €250 million investment represents a 250% increase in funding compared with the previous 2020 round of funding, clearly demonstrating the priority Fianna Fáil places on encouraging and facilitating sporting participation and excellence.

“There is also a tremendous sense of community that comes from engagement with sports and their associated organisations. Ensuring that we have the right equipment in place and that adequate facilities are provided is key to supporting people of all abilities to get, and to stay, involved.

“This is an unprecedented level of sports funding and will prove transformative for sports clubs in our communities. As a party in government we are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to participate in sport.”

The news has also been welcomed by Minister Peter Burke.

“It’s fantastic to see a huge variety of clubs in Westmeath receiving funding and will come as a major boost to members.

“Our local clubs are at the heart of our communities and any help they receive is a great source of support to local teams and sportspeople and a boost for participation in sport.

“This funding will benefit nearly 50 clubs in Westmeath. Active engagement in sports not only helps keep people healthy, but it also builds confidence, independence and promotes team building. Cullion GAA, Tubberclair GAA, Castlepollard GAA, Lough Lene Gaels GAA, Mullingar Athletic AFC, Mullingar Rugby Club

“It is crucial that we invest in sport for the overall health and wellbeing of our population and that is why this programme is so important.

“I will always advocate strongly for sports clubs and organisations because of the positive impact they have on our community.

“I thank our volunteer committees for the invaluable contributions they make to our community and look forward to seeing the improvements they make with this funding.

“Fine Gael is committed to supporting communities and this funding will go a long way in helping clubs not only in Westmeath, but across Ireland,” concluded Minister Burke.