Waterford development group delighted with community funding allocation

The members of Dunmore East Development Group have expressed delight at securing €300,000 for the refurbishment of the playground and Counsellor's Strand car park.

A spokesperson for the group commented: "Dunmore East Development Group (DEDG) is delighted to announce that we have secured €300,000 for two key projects in the village under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme."

The first project is the complete refurbishment of the children's playground in the park. 

"While our playground is a fantastic amenity for the children of Dunmore East, its condition in recent times has been a concern for many," said the spokesperson.

Regarding the allocation, he said it means the shortfall in the village infrastructure will be rectified and that the children of Dunmore East and future generations will get to enjoy a modern, inclusive, and fun playground for many years to come.

"The second project allows for the enhancement of the car park at Counsellor's Strand," said the spokesperson.

"This area offers wonderful vistas of the village and surrounding coastline and is frequented by both locals and visitors alike," he added.

He went on to comment: "Suitable infrastructure will be sympathetically developed here to accommodate those who use the area for both recreational and fitness activities, while at the same time protecting the natural beauty of the area."

Dunmore East Development Group expressed gratitude to Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and local Minister of State, Mary Butler TD, for their assistance with their funding application. 

"We would also like to extend our gratitude to Waterford City and County Council for their strong support and assistance to our Group in getting to this stage," said the spokesperson.

Dunmore East Development Group was established in June, 2024, under Town Centre First. 

It's setting up came in the wake of a public meeting in the Haven Hotel in May, 2023, at which it was agreed that representatives from the various community and commercial organisations in the village would be invited to nominate representatives to form the group. 

In the interim the group members worked assiduously to get to the point of securing such funding.

"We are thrilled with [the] announcement and the progress of these two important projects, and we look forward to working closely with all relevant stakeholders to bring to fruition other ambitious and transformative projects for the village and for everyone who calls Dunmore East home," said the spokesperson.

Dunmore East Development Group can be contacted by email at dedginfo@gmail.com