Community Groups Get A Little Enhancement Moolah

Greystones Cancer Support feel the love in 2024. But not 2026.

atest press release from Simon Harris TD, issued on Thursday, July 2nd 2026…

Tánaiste and Wicklow TD Simon Harris has today announced almost €200,000 in funding for 208 community groups and organisations across County Wicklow under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026.

The funding is part of a €7 million national programme that will support over 4,100 projects across the country.

It provides small capital grants to help community groups improve their facilities and buy essential equipment. The supports can be used for everything from upgrading community halls to improving disability access and cutting energy costs. In Wicklow the programme is administered by the Local Community Development Committee, with support from Wicklow County Council.

The county’s allocation of €199,043.66 is a significant increase on the €147,000 provided in 2024 and the number of groups benefitting has risen from 149 to 208.

Groups receiving support this year span every part of the county. They include Purple House Cancer Support and Bray Musical Society in Bray, Greystones Family Resource Centre, Blessington GAA, Baltinglass Men’s Shed and more. Funding is also going to Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue, the Glen of Imaal mountain rescue team, Blue Dolphins Special Olympics and Happy Hooves Therapeutic Riding, along with tidy towns groups, men’s and women’s sheds, scout troops and community first responders in towns and villages right across Wicklow.

Announcing the funding, the Tánaiste said: “The Local Enhancement Programme is about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs. They are the building blocks of community life right across Wicklow.

“I am really delighted that community organisations, clubs, men’s and women’s sheds, youth centres and parish halls in every corner of our county will benefit from this support. These are the groups that fill the gaps and meet needs that too often go unmet.

“From Purple House in Bray to the mountain rescue teams in the west of the county, this funding reaches so many and will make a real difference.

“I want to congratulate every successful applicant and thank them for the vital work they do, day in and day out, for the benefit ion Wicklow and our communities.”

Tanaiste Simon Harris said the funding reflected the Government’s continued commitment to rural and community life under its ‘Our Rural Future’ policy.

“Our local organisations breathe positivity, energy and activity into towns and villages all over Wicklow,” he said.

“This Government believes in backing the people who give so much of their own time to make their communities better places to live. The projects funded today will make a real and lasting difference on the ground.

“Together with Deputy Edward Timmins and Fine Gael Councillors, we are working to deliver well funded and stronger communities, this funding will help do just that.”

The Tánaiste encouraged community groups across Wicklow to stay in contact with their Local Community Development Committee about future rounds of funding and other supports available to them.

Nice. Close to home, €1,000 (or thereabouts) went to the Greystones Family Resource Centre, the Greystones Lawn Tennis Club, the St Patrick’s Community (huh?) and The Whale (€800), Delgany Community Council, Kilcoole Men’s Shed, Newcastle Community Centre CLG and their Residents Association, Newtown’s Area Sports Development, its Community Centre, St Patrick’s Day Committee and Tidy Towns, ReWild Wicklow, Kilmacanogue Community First Responders and the Kilmacanogue Show, the Enniskerry Boxing Club, Tennis Club, First Responders (€1,500) and Village Forum, Ashford Development Association CLG and the Ashford GAA Club, The Bray Bowling Club, Bray Musical Society, Bray Talking Heads (€985), Bray Tidy Towns, Bray Community Addiction Team (€1,150), Bray Church Of Ireland (€920), Purple House Cancer Support (€1,500), Bray Men’s Shed (€965), Lakers Sports & Social Club and Signal Arts Centre, West Wicklow Cancer Support (€1,500), West Wicklow Chamber Music Festival, West Wicklow Day Care Centre, West Wicklow Historical Society (€800), Wicklow Cancer Support (€1,500), Wicklow Community Services CLG, Wicklow Democratic School CLG, Wicklow Hills Arts Collective (€500), Wicklow Hills Residents Association, Wicklow Town Team and Wicklow Triple A Alliance.

On the lower end of the scale, Making Waves Youth Theatre got €400, the North Wicklow Women’s Shed got €305, Wicklow Pride CLG €625, Wicklow Town Memory Café €375 and West Wicklow Environmental Work €300.