Date: 24 Mar 2026
Visit of Minister Dara Calleary to Donegal
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary visited Donegal on Monday, 23rd March 2026, to perform two official openings of projects in the County.
The Minister began the day in Donegal MD, where he officially opened the Laghey Village Community Park. This Park was funded through the 2023 CLÁR and Town & Village Renewal Schemes.
Minister Calleary was welcomed to the event by Cathaoirleach of Donegal MD, Cllr Michael Naughton, the Laghey Hall Development Committee and public and community representatives.
This project developed a new outdoor recreation facility and enhanced the outdoor public realm space in Laghey Village. It includes an accessible Multi-Use Games Area, newly installed Play Equipment and a Community Sensory Garden.
Commenting on his visit to Laghey, Minister Calleary said “I am delighted to be here in Laghey in Donegal to officially open this community space. Funding of €250,000 was provided under my Department’s 2023 Town and Village Renewal Scheme for the creation of an outdoor recreational amenity. Further funding of €50,000 was provided under my Department’s 2023 CLÁR programme for a sensory garden.
These projects go hand in hand in the provision of a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for families and friends to come together. I want to commend the Laghey Community and indeed Donegal County Council for your collaboration on these projects.
I was delighted late last year, to announce funding of over €26.2m under the 2025 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Of this almost €900,000 in TVRS funding was allocated to Donegal County Council across four projects”.
The Minister’s next stop was Castlefinn, where he officially opened the refurbished Castlefinn Playground at the CPI Centre in the town. This project was funded by the Community Recognition Fund 2023 which supported the development of community infrastructure and facilities for the entire community in recognition of their contribution in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.
The Minister was greeted in Castlefinn by Cllr Martin Harley, Cathaoirleach of Lifford/Stranorlar MD, Cllr Martin McDermott, Chairperson of Donegal LCDC, who administered the scheme, members of the Castlefin Partnership Initiative Committee, Public Representatives and members of the Castlefin community.
Speaking in Castlefin, Minister Calleary said “As Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, I am delighted that the Community Recognition Fund has made such a difference in towns and villages who hosted new arrivals and welcomed them into their communities.
This newly refurbished playground in Castlefinn, close to the community centre and childcare facility, will no doubt be a catalyst for play and social gatherings for children of all ages and indeed their families It is a testament to the “Meitheal” that exists with people coming together to make our communities better places. In total €6.5 million has been provided to 95 projects in Donegal under this fund.”
Mr. John G. McLaughlin, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council said “Today we were delighted to be able to showcase to the Minister the positive impact of projects, funded through his Department’s various funding streams, have had on two communities in County Donegal. These projects are an example of the enormous benefits felt by Communities throughout the County who have received funding for Community Projects from the Department. We thank the Minister for taking the time to visit the county and funding awarded under the Town & Village Renewal, CLÁR Programme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and Local Enhancement Fund in 2025 from his Department to Donegal. It has been a huge benefit for our communities and continues to grow each year ”.
