€12.27 million allocated to Donegal under Community Sports Facilities Fund

Donegal has been allocated €12,271,362 in grant allocations for sports clubs and facilities under phase two of the Community Sports Facilities Fund.

Earlier this year, 45 clubs got €1,320,960 for equipment and the latest announcement means Donegal has received a total of €13,592,322 in 2024 through both phases of the programme.

Welcoming the announcement, Donegal minister, Charlie McConalogue, said it was great news for the county, and for the clubs who have been allocated funding.

“€13,592,322 is a record amount of funding that has been allocated to Donegal through the Community Sports Facilities Fund. Along with the €1.32 million that was approved back in May, €9,208,641 is coming to Donegal under local allocations, €2,996,729 has been earmarked under regional allocations, with €65,992 allocated under equipment only,” the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine explained.

“Donegal received the fourth highest allocation in the country and a total of 89 clubs are set to benefit from this announcement. I am delighted for all clubs who have received funding. Donegal’s allocation is part of an overall investment of €256 million in community sport and recreation in 2024 and represents the largest-ever investment in sports facilities nationwide.

“Over the last year, I have visited many the clubs and saw first hand their plans that are all geared towards improving their facilities and making their clubs better for their members. During those visits, I was struck by the passion and commitment of the people involved. Their selfless efforts are all about having a positive impact on their club and on the communities they serve so well. As we all know, Donegal is a sports mad county, and our sports clubs have a proud tradition of being inclusive and welcoming to all, while also producing the finest sports people in a wide variety of disciplines.

“This funding announced by my party colleague, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne, is part of the largest ever investment in sports facilities nationwide and I thank him and his department team for their support.

“Ensuring that we have the right equipment in place and that adequate facilities are provided is key to supporting people of all abilities to get, and to stay, involved. I know this latest funding will prove transformative for sports clubs in our communities. As a party in government, Fianna Fáil is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to participate in sport.

“The funding is an investment in healthy living. I hope that as many people as possible reap the benefits from it. This funding is also just reward for the sports clubs that are such a vital part of life in Donegal.”

Pat the Cope Gallagher, Fianna Fáil added: “I wish to compliment those sporting clubs and sporting facilities that were successful, in securing funding - their hard work and dedication has yielded results, that will ultimately transform your sports club or community facilities,” he said. “The funding announced will go a long way to making these projects possible, we appreciate more funding raising and voluntary effort will be required from your communities to bring these projects to full completion.

“To those applicants and clubs that were unsuccessful in securing funding in today’s announcement: I will support and endeavour to assist you if elected in obtaining funding in subsequent rounds of funding from this scheme. I wish to acknowledge the commitment of the Minister Thomas Byrne and the Department of Sport in the announcement.”

Senator Nikki Bradley, Fine Gael, was similarly enthused. She said: “It;s fantastic to see a huge variety of clubs in Donegal receiving funding and will come as a major boost to members. Our local clubs are at the heart of our communities and any help they receive is a great source of support to local teams and sportspeople and a boost for participation in sport.
“This funding will benefit nearly 80 clubs in Donegal. Active engagement in sports not only helps keep people healthy, but it also builds confidence, independence and promotes team building. It is crucial that we invest in sport for the overall health and wellbeing of our population and that is why this programme is so important. I will always advocate strongly for sports clubs and organisations because of the positive impact they have on our community.

“I thank all our local clubs and teams for the invaluable contributions they make to our community and look forward to seeing the improvements they make with this funding.”

Her party colleague John McNulty added: “I am delighted with the announcement with so many clubs benefiting right across the county. Communities benefit so much from Government investment and all the the clubs being funded today deserve enormous credit for the work they do in these communities.

“I know clubs are delighted with the recognition they receive. I do know from experience that the more we provide even better facilities, the more people are drawn into sport and that’s great for the long-term health and wellbeing of our Donegal communities. Sports investment works for the physical and mental well-being for young and old. I want to congratulate all the grassroots sporting organisations who received funding today and wish them the very best for the future. I want to help even more organisations achieve their dreams.”

“If I am fortunate to be elected at the next General Election I will advocate for this level of sports funding to continue.”

The breakdown of Donegal’s allocation is as follows:
Local allocations - €9,208,641
An Mhachaire Le Cheile Teo - Upgrade of changing rooms - €8,406
Aodh Ruadh GAA - Adapt pavilion for female participants. Equipment - €152,768
Ballybofey/ Stranorlar Golf Club – Fairway mower and develop surface - €181,421
Bonagee United Football Club - Going green and more female participation - €97,664
Bruckless Community Centre - Upgrade of existing doors and windows - €18,270
Buncrana Gaa - All weather playing area - €160,060
Buncrana Youth & Community Development Company Ltd - Astro pitch development - €199,327
CLG An Tearmainn - Gym studio project - €170,259
Carndonagh GAA Club - Pitch development and ball wall - €191,022
Castlefin Celtic - LED lighting and heating controls - €104,439
CLG Baile na nGalloglach - Develop new inclusive all-weather training pitch - €182,717
CLG Na Dunaibh - Installation of floodlights - €118,149
CLG Naomh Mícheál - Floodlighting, goal posts and ball stop - €173,480
CLG Naomh Naílle - Training pitch, walkway & outdoor sports equipment - €170,259
Clonmany Shamrocks Sports & Athletic Limited - New mower, defibrillator and storage container - €70,000
Cloughaneely Golf club - Drainage to carpark, fairways, bunkers and tees - €24,499
Cockhill Celtic YFC - Changing rooms development - €191,022
Convoy Arsenal FC - Astro turf training pitch - €109,630
Creevy Activity Hub CLG - All weather sports pitch - €178,564
Cruit Island Golf Club – Course improvement/equipment upgrade - €110,216
Curragh Athletic FC - 2024 CAFC Reducing Energy Consumption Project - €146,113
Deele Harps Football Club - Construction of dressing rooms, toilets and showers €200,000
Desertegney Youth Club – Floodlights €36,543
Donegal ETB - Gairscoil Mhic Diarmada, Replace flood lights - €19,262
Donegal ETB - Phase 1 development of an artificial grass pitch - €199,327
Donegal Golf Club - A sustainable future - €113,196
Donegal League - Remove and replace existing astro pitch fencing - €106,412
Donegal Target Club - Shooting gallery -€42,046
Donegal Town Soccer Club - Disability access, upgrade works and equipment €95,511
Drumbar United FC – Boundary security fencing €91,975
Drumoghill FC - New dressing rooms, community centre and equipment €199,280
Dunfanaghy FC - Clubhouse development €165,463
Dunfanaghy Golf Club - Course development €142,021
CLG An Clochán Liath - LED floodlighting and pitch side fencing €132,142
Forbairt Pobail Ghleann Gaothbarra - Drainage works to natural playing surface €23,314
Glebe Sport's Holdings Ltd - Ball stop, pitch side fencing, mower and refurbishment €141,382
Glenea United Football Club - Pitch development plan - €85,000
Gleneely Colts FC Sports & Leisure Club - Natural playing surface, fencing and floodlights - €184,937
Glengad FC - Flood lighting €142,000
Glenree United Football Club - Ground maintenance and equipment €60,000
Glenswilly GAA - Flood lighting to main playing pitch -€129,608
Greencastle Com. Dev. Co. Ltd - Sports hall enhancement project €9,068
Greencastle Golf Club – Capital projects €148,957
Gweedore Celtic FC - Installation of energy efficient LED lightbulbs €20,460
Gweedore Golf Club – Course improvement/equipment upgrade €100,467
Illies Celtic FC - Building and fencing refurbishment €29,716
Illies Community Development Association - H&S, security and energy efficiency works €74,723
Inishowen Rugby Club - Inishowen flood Lights & MUGA €200,000
IRD Milford Ltd - Upgrade of two pitches for increased participation €178,334
Keadue Rovers Limited - Installation of watering system and pitch equipment €130,000
Killybegs GAA - Build safe illuminated walking/jogging track €45,09
Kilmacrennan Community Development Company Ltd – Phase one dressing rooms modular building €170,051
Lagan Harps Football Club - Dressing room refurbishment and purchase of mower €91,170
Letterkenny Community Centre - Sustainable energy project €36,704
Letterkenny Golf and Social Club - Course development €109,422
Letterkenny Rovers FC - Essential infrastructure upgrade €75,043
Milford Hall Committee - Milford community hall tennis court rejuvenation €20,965
Moville Celtic Football Club - Club facility improvements €160,233
Moville GAA Club - Moville GAA Growth & Inclusion Project €174,411
Muff Community Development Co-Op Ltd - MUGA & pitch surface upgrade, floodlights and ball stops €94,241
Naomh Colmcille CLG - Improvement project €18,272
Naomh Conaill GAA Club - Ball wall with disability viewing and equipment €182,717
Naomh Muire CLG - Creation of a GAA training facility €181,471
No Barriers Foundation - Community inclusion gym refurbishment €160,720
North West Golf Club - Shower and toilet facility upgrade and mower purchase €157,462
Pettigo GAA - Pitch development €70,000
Portsalon Golf Club - Clubhouse upgrades €170,259
Red Hughs GAA Club - Walking track and floodlighting development €200,000
Redcastle Comm Development Ltd - LED floodlights on full size grass pitch €49,777
Rosses AC - 200m 6-lane track, shorefront, Dungloe €195,578
Scoil Chartha Naofa - Artificial grass pitch €199,327
Setanta Hurling Club - Playing pitch development for Markievicz Camogs €131,308
St Eunan’s GAA Club – Floodlights €161,953
St Johnston Cricket Club - Capacity increase €24,500
St Patricks NS - All weather astroturf pitch with flood lights €132,604
St Safan’s - Security fencing for astro turf facility €18,268
Swilly Mulroy Development Project Society Limited - Disability lift, gym equipment and upgraded lighting €39,103
Whitestrand United FC- Community hub for sport and physical activity €178,564
Regional grants
Grant - €2,996,729; (Max possible grant - €3,291,179)
Atlantic Technological University - ATU Donegal gym extension €426,081 (€500,000) Donegal GAA Games Participation Project 2023 €184,364 (€220,000)
Donegal County Council 2023 - Ballyshannon Leisure Centre €190,056 (€190,056)
Donegal County Council - Aura studio space, LED lighting and barrier €180,934 (€181,123)
Finn Harps Co-Operative Society 2023 - Artificial pitch to help girls’ soccer and schools €394,140 (€500,000)
Finn Valley AC Ltd - Campus development €500,000 (€500,000)
Four Masters GAA Club - Development of indoor multi-sport facility €436,663 (€500,000)
Inishowen Football League - Refurbishment of Inishowen League Clubhouse €184,492 (€200,000)
Sean MacCumhaills - Sustainable and Accessible MacCumhaill Park €500,000 (€500,000)
Equipment only
Bundoran Golf Club - Essential upgrades €40,000
Naomh Padraig Leifear GAA - Physio couches, scoreboard, and mower €25,992