2026 CLÁR Scheme

CLÁR will support a variety of capital projects provided that they contribute to the enhancement of existing, and/or the development of new, accessible Community Recreation Facilities.  The list below provides an indication of the types of projects that may be supported, but is not exhaustive:

• Small scale renovation works to community facilities such as community centres /sports centres /clubhouses of sporting groups /youth centres /men’s sheds. This includes external works such as parking and accessibility enhancements.
• Multi-Use Gaming Areas (MUGAs) /Astro-Turf facilities including upgrades
• Playgrounds/Skateboard parks /Pump tracks /Cycling tracks /Teenage spaces/walking -running Athletics tracks/ Handball Alleys /Tennis Courts /Basketball Courts /Cricket Grounds/outdoor bowling area/ Community Gyms /Community Cinema /Sensory Gardens /Community Gardens /Allotments/ Biodiversity planting
• Access to unique local heritage sites /areas of natural beauty
• Enhanced outdoor toilet and changing Facilities /Car Parking /Solar Bins/
• Community focused traffic safety measures
• Improving access at sports grounds e.g. development /upgrade of spectator stands at sports grounds
• Toilets/showers in community facilities but not sports team changing rooms or showers.
• Emergency generators. These must be mobile to allow for shared community use.
• Actions to remediate light pollution (terrestrial and marine) through restorative lighting strategies to protect and or restore Irelands dark skies.

Any facilities funded must be available to the public without a requirement to be a member of a club, enrolled in a school etc. In particular facilities on school grounds must be open to the public outside of school hours e.g., during the evenings, weekends, and school holidays.

• Must be in the CLÁR area
• Clear evidence of need for the amenity, users, potential users
• Landowner consent, planning permission, necessary screening (if applicable), must be confirmed and in place at the time of the application.
• The applicant must own the premisses/property or have a least a valid 7-year lease remaining for the property.
• Application must be shovel, ready and all other assessments/feasibility studies in place prior to submission, if required:
• Comprehensive estimated cost of the work
• Projects must be accessible to all and will be open to the public without appointment, and that the necessary insurance is in place.
• A single facility (not multiple locations) only one application per organisation/facility 

The scheme is funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development and Gaeltacht. 

A minimum grant of €5,000 and a maximum of €65,000 per project at a rate of 90% funding and 10% match funding provided through local authority/community/other recourses 

Meath County Council assists applications to project manage and administers all approved applications.

Applications are eligible from community or voluntary organisations, school or local Development companies and must be in the CLÁR area. 

• Kilskyre Activity Centre approved for €62,941 to upgrade of carpark
• Kilskyre Community Hall approved for €12,600 to replace existing boundary wall of village hall.
• Ballinlough GFC approved for €60,300 to upgrade carpark.
• Moylagh GAA approved for €63,000 for asphalting and associated works for a carpark
• Carnaross GAA Centre approved for €78,300 to upgrade carpark surface.
• Newcastle Community Hall approved for funding for €50,850 for new entrance wall and gates and car park barrier
• Dromone approved for €69,575 to develop a sensory garden. 

• Ballinacree Community Association approved for €50,000, for the construction of a multi-use Games Area (MUGA) along with all associated site works.
• St Brigid's GFC approved for €47,786, to upgrade pedestrian walkway and fence replacement of the perimeter of the car park.
• Carnaross GFC approved for €50,000, to upgrade carpark.
• Moylagh GAA Club approved for €50,000, for the upgrade of the club carpark.
• Newcastle Community Development  approved for €50,000 to resurface the car park and hall access areas, reline carpark and landscape around the hall area.