€4.6m windfall for Louth to fund local projects from church renovations to toilet upgrades

Louth County Council recently launched the Louth PEACEPLUS Action Plan. The plan is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and has received €4,679,354 to engage with 4679 participants in 15 projects across three themes. 

The first theme, Local Community Regeneration and Transformation, received €1,423,895 for two landmark capital projects, as well as various projects to animate these locations. 

The first is the renovation of St Nicholas Church of Ireland in Dundalk to enhance its role as a shared musical performance venue. Secondly, there are improvements to the Battle of the Boyne site outside Drogheda, including the provision of new signage and toilets to improve a greater understanding of this historic location.

The second theme, Thriving and Peaceful Communities, received €1,391,441 for seven projects, including two sports projects, three arts projects and two youth projects.

The third theme, Celebrating Cultures and Diversity, has received €748,215, which is shared among six projects, including one multicultural history project, two former prisoner projects, a shared narratives programme, two minority group programmes, including a traveller and ethnic entrepreneur project and an LGBTQ capacity project.

All of these projects are designed to support peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, building upon the work of the previous PEACE and INTERREG Programmes.

The extension to Muirhevnamór Community Centre was built with funding from The PEACE IV programme, a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Speakers at the launch event included Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, who said: "I want to thank everyone who contributed to the development of Louth County Council's PEACEPLUS Co-Designed Local Action Plan. Recently, this initiative received approval for financing of more than €4.679 million from the European Union's PEACEPLUS programme. I applaud the PEACEPLUS Partnership and Louth County Council for developing and carrying out this action plan. The 15 regional community relations projects that this plan will fund, in my opinion, will undoubtedly promote meaningful and more frequent cross-community interactions and contribute significantly to the long-term peacebuilding of County Louth and its border region.

"I am delighted that my Department of Rural and Community Development, together with the Special EU Programmes Body and the Executive Office in Northern Ireland, will provide support for this outstanding action plan. Successful implementation will deliver long-term benefits to the area”.

Chief Executive of SEUPB, Gina McIntyre, said: “All local authorities within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland have been allocated a PEACEPLUS budget to undertake a programme of local investment to address specific challenges within their areas, working closely with residents and organisations.

"This co-design process emphasizes inclusivity, shared decision-making and the integration of diverse perspectives throughout the entire design lifecycle. These Local Action Plans are not just standalone interventions; they are catalysts for systemic and intergenerational change, fostering new skills, opportunities and partnerships that will resonate long after the plan concludes.”

Cllr Kevin Callan, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: “PEACEPLUS, like the previous peace programmes before it, will have an immense positive impact on the day to day lives of thousands of young and vulnerable people across county Louth and further afield and will continue to play an enduring role in building peace and prosperity across Ireland and in fostering greater integration, understanding and cooperation among our many diverse communities.”

Read Next: Louth company ZOMA raises €16,023 for Daffodil Day

Thomas McEvoy, Louth County Council Director of Services, said: “The PEACEPLUS Action Plan sets out a clear framework for investment in shared spaces, inclusive services, and community connections. We are confident that its implementation will build further on the foundations of trust and progress that have been established over the past number of years.”

Each of the projects will aim to be as inclusive as possible and consider the importance of including a wide range of equality groups. To encourage far-reaching engagement across County Louth, activities will also take place in disadvantaged areas and include target groups, while most projects will contain either a cross-border or cross-community element. 

The project has been supported by the European Union’s PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special European Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported locally by Louth County Council and Louth Local Community Development Committee (LCDC). Match-funding has been provided by The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland.