New funding call opens a conversation about Ballyconnell's priorities
Community groups in County Cavan have until 12 noon on Monday, 19 October 2026 to submit proposals to Cavan County Council under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme 2026. With substantial support available for town-centre projects, the new call is also an opportunity to consider what Ballyconnell may need in the years ahead.
The programme is intended to support the regeneration of rural towns and villages. It can fund projects that make town centres more welcoming, useful and active for residents, local businesses and visitors.
For Ballyconnell, the announcement is about more than an application deadline. It offers a timely reason to look around the town, recognise the work already completed and ask what the next priorities should be.
Has Ballyconnell already put forward an idea?
At the time of writing, we have found no public announcement confirming that Cavan County Council or a Ballyconnell organisation is preparing a specific local proposal for the 2026 scheme.
That does not mean there are no ideas. Local organisations have already identified practical needs through other community funding programmes. In a 2025 Community Fund summary published by Ballyconnell Credit Union at https://ballyconnellcu.ie/news/1st-distribution-of-our-community-fund-summary, Ballyconnell Tidy Towns received support to hire a landscape architect to help enhance the town. Ballyconnell History and Heritage Group sought funding for signs at historical sites, the Community Centre Committee was working on redevelopment of the centre, and Ballyconnell Market House received support for exhibition display boards.
Those projects were funded separately and are not applications to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. They do, however, show that local groups are already thinking about the town’s appearance, heritage, community facilities and cultural life.
The question now is whether one of those ambitions, or another idea with broad community support, could be developed into a larger town-centre project that fits the 2026 scheme.
How much funding is available?
Under the Main Scheme, grants start at €50,000. Each local authority can submit one application seeking up to €500,000 and three further applications seeking up to €300,000 each. Only one Main Scheme application can be submitted for an individual town or village.
For projects that are not yet ready for construction, the Project Development Measure can provide up to €50,000 for preparatory work such as design, planning and assessments.
In County Cavan, funding can cover up to 95% of an eligible project’s costs, subject to the scheme limits. The remaining contribution must still be secured. Applications are competitive, and submitting a proposal does not guarantee that it will be selected or funded.
What could this mean for Ballyconnell?
No single project is being proposed here. These examples simply illustrate the range of local needs that could be discussed, provided a future proposal meets the programme rules.
Better public spaces in the heart of town
Investment could improve the appearance and everyday use of central public spaces. Depending on the project, that might include better seating, planting, street furniture, attractive gathering areas or improvements that make the centre a more pleasant place to spend time. A coordinated project could encourage greater footfall and give residents more reasons to use the town centre.
Green and recreational spaces
The scheme can support green spaces and recreational amenities in town and village centres. Ballyconnell could consider where families, older residents and young people have opportunities to sit, meet, relax or take part in informal activities. Ideas might include improving an existing green area, creating a small town-centre garden, adding planting and biodiversity features, or making an underused space more welcoming throughout the year.
A stronger setting for markets and community events
Funding may support infrastructure for farmers’ markets, local traders, artisan markets and similar activities. Suitable services, shelter or a flexible public space could make it easier to organise regular markets, seasonal events and community gatherings. The right facilities would not create activity by themselves, but they could remove practical barriers and help bring more people into town.
New life for vacant or underused buildings
One of the clearest aims of the scheme is to bring vacant and derelict buildings or sites back into use as multi-purpose community spaces. A suitable building might become a shared venue for meetings, training, cultural activity, remote work, small events or services that are difficult to accommodate elsewhere. Any proposal would need an appropriate site, secure ownership or lease arrangements, a sustainable operating plan and evidence of community need.
Improving existing community facilities
The programme can also support the upgrade or refurbishment of existing community centres. Possible priorities could include making facilities more flexible, accessible, energy-efficient and suitable for a wider range of age groups and activities. The strongest proposal would serve several parts of the community rather than one narrow purpose.
Climate-conscious improvements
Climate action is expected to be considered across projects. Depending on the location and type of work, this could include energy-efficiency measures, sustainable materials, planting, biodiversity improvements or designs that are easier and less expensive to maintain over time.
Not every local need fits this programme
Ballyconnell has many needs, but the Town and Village Renewal Scheme cannot fund everything. The 2026 guidance excludes new buildings, ongoing running costs, housing, tourist accommodation, support for a single private business and stand-alone footpath or cycle-route projects. Single-purpose sporting, diocesan or community projects are also excluded.
A good local idea must therefore fit the rules, have broad community value, be based in or close to the town centre and be supported by a realistic plan and budget.
From local idea to funding decision
Local groups submit proposals to Cavan County Council first. The council then selects and develops a limited number of applications for submission to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, which makes the final competitive funding decisions.
The local deadline is only the first stage. Permissions, assessments, leases and detailed costings may be required as a proposal progresses. Groups considering an application should read the full guidance and discuss their idea with the council before assuming that it is eligible.
What should Ballyconnell's priorities be?
The funding call raises a broader question for residents, community organisations and local businesses: if Ballyconnell could secure support for one major town-centre improvement, what should come first?
Public spaces, green areas, facilities for markets and events, community buildings and the reuse of vacant properties are only starting points. Local knowledge is essential in identifying which needs are most urgent and which ideas could deliver lasting value.
Look at the town through the eyes of a child, an older person, a local trader, a visitor or someone trying to organise a community event. What is missing? What is underused? Which improvement would make people spend more time in the centre, bring neighbours together or create new activity?
We will follow this article with a post on the Ballyconnell Community Facebook page, inviting residents to share specific proposals and priorities. The discussion will not be a formal application process, but it can help reveal which ideas have genuine local support and encourage community groups to take the next step.
If you have a proposal, do not leave it as a passing comment. Describe the place, the problem, who would benefit and how the idea could improve Ballyconnell over the long term.
Deadline and official information
Applications to Cavan County Council close at 12 noon on Monday, 19 October 2026.
Read the 2026 scheme guidance: https://www.cavancoco.ie/media/c1nhqhzh/2026-final-tvrs-scheme-outline.pdf
Main Scheme application: https://submit.link/5oi
Project Development Measure application: https://submit.link/5oo
Cavan County Council announcement: https://www.cavancoco.ie/news/2026/town-and-village-renewal-scheme-2026/
For questions about a proposal or the application requirements, Cavan County Council lists Bernie O’Rourke as the scheme contact at [email protected].