Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the allocation of over €91,000 in funding to community groups across Galway East as part of the Government’s Local Enhancement Programme 2025.

The funding was announced by Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD. It will benefit voluntary organisations across the constituency, including in Athenry, Tuam, Gort, Mountbellew, Loughrea, Portumna, New Inn, and Monivea.

“This is a real boost for our local communities,” Minister Canney said. “These grants, while modest in size, make a big difference on the ground. They help volunteers upgrade facilities, purchase equipment, or cover essential running costs. I’m proud to see such strong support for Galway East through this initiative.”

A total of €91,998 is being invested in towns and villages throughout Galway East. The funding supports a broad range of groups—from Men’s Sheds and youth services to community halls, sports clubs, and active retirement associations.

The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 was launched in November with an overall national budget of €7 million. It is a key measure under ‘Our Rural Future’, the Government’s policy for rural development. The fund is administered locally by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) with support from Galway County Council.

Minister Canney added: “I want to acknowledge and thank the volunteers who work so hard in every town and village in Galway East. This funding is a testament to their dedication and the value of the work they do every day.”

Note to Editors: Full list of funding recipients in Galway East
19th Galway Athenry Scout Group, Athenry – €1,500
* Athenry Community Council CLG, Athenry – €2,000
* Athenry Men’s Shed, Athenry – €3,800
* Fr. Sammon Community Centre CLG, Athenry – €500
* Lackagh Museum & Community Development Association, Athenry – €2,500
* Monivea Community Council, Athenry – €400
* The Parish Shed Monivea, Athenry – €800
* 2nd (Galway) Tuam Scout Group, Tuam – €3,000
* Abbeyknockmoy Parish Society CLG, Tuam – €1,000
* Ballyglunin Community Development CLG, Tuam – €580
* Barnaderg Foroige Club, Tuam – €1,500
* Corofin Community Development Association CLG, Tuam – €2,616
* Golden Girls Ladies Club, Tuam – €1,000
* Make a Difference Youth Club Tuam, Tuam – €2,000
* Milltown Defibrillator Group, Tuam – €500
* Milltown Heritage Group, Tuam – €900
* The Mall Theatre & Cinema CLG, Tuam – €3,000
* Tuam Bridge Club, Tuam – €2,000
* Tuam Men’s Shed, Tuam – €800
* Tuam Sociaball, Tuam – €750
* Tuam Women’s Shed, Tuam – €950
* Youth Work Ireland Galway Tuam, Tuam – €750
* Tynagh Abbey Duniry Men’s Shed, Kylebrack – €2,600
* Kilnadeema Leitrim Community Games, Kylebrack – €400
* Killalaghton Hall Committee, Killalaghton – €500
* Kilrickle Community Hall Committee, Loughrea – €3,500
* Kiltullagh Killimordaly CFR, Loughrea – €1,000
* Carrabane Parish Hall, Athenry – €5,000
* Ballinakill Community Hall, Loughrea – €500
* Abbey Muintir na Tíre, Loughrea – €2,800
* Leitrim Ballydugan Community Centre and Field, Loughrea – €2,900
* Loughrea Men’s Shed, Loughrea – €3,180
* Tommy Larkins GAA Club, Loughrea – €1,000
* Mountbellew Bridge Club, Mountbellew – €2,000
* Mountbellew Community Centre, Mountbellew – €3,000
* Mountbellew Men’s Shed, Mountbellew – €3,400
* Moylough and District Community Council, Moylough – €900
* Moylough Sportsfield Committee, Moylough – €5,000
* Gort Community Council Ltd, Gort – €1,000
* Gort ICA Guild, Gort – €850
* Activity and Social Group Ardrahan, Gort – €1,500
* Clonberne Community Centre CLG, Ballinasloe – €1,450
* Skehana & District Heritage Group, Ballinasloe – €1,300
* Ceoltóirí an Dairín, Kilcolgan – €900
* Boula Hall Development Group, Portumna – €2,000
* Portomna Beo Nature & Wildlife Group, Portumna – €395
* Portumna and District Active Retirement Association, Portumna – €800
* Ballinderreen Community Centre, Ballinderreen – €1,500
* Dunmore Community Games, Dunmore – €400
* Dunmore Development Group Playground Committee, Dunmore – €1,800
* Dunmore Foróige, Dunmore – €1,200
* Garrafrauns Community Council, Dunmore – €3,000
* Glenamaddy Community Garden, Dunmore – €227
* Headford and District Association, Headford – €900
* Headford Men’s Shed, Headford – €750
* Shannonside Community Group, Woodford – €500
* Teach Ceoil, Connemara West plc, Woodford – €1,000