€4.4m funding available to communities supporting Ukrainian refugees

Kerry County Council has received an allocation of €4.4m under a new scheme designed to support communities who are hosting Ukrainian refugees.

It's part of a bigger national €50 million fund from the Department of Rural and Community Development to support community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution of communities in hosting new arrivals in the county in response to the Ukraine crisis.

This fund has been allocated to local authorities based on the numbers of new arrivals located there.

The available funding will be distributed under two measures. Measure 1 will be distributed for use on transformative capital projects of a scale that will revi- talise and enhance the economic and social environment of communities.

Proposals under this category ‘must demonstrate that the funding is targeted at, and specifically invested in, those communities, villages and towns where the highest levels of new arrivals are located and where there is a clear need for investment identified'.

Measure 2 is a fund which will be allocated for small to medium scale capital projects ‘that will deliver tangible benefits for communities’ up to a maximum value of €40,000 per eligible project which are proposed by community groups, cultural organisations and sporting clubs across the county.

Application Forms for Measure 1 and Measure 2 projects are available on www.kerrycoco.ie and applications must be submitted by March 2.

Managing Editor & Director: Cormac Casey

Director: Noelle Casey

General Manager: Aidan Quirke cyclist and won several races in France.

Kerry Group Rás Mumhan has been traditionally run by Killorglin Cycling Club but is now a regional wide effort by Killorglin, Tralee Manor West Cycle Club, Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club and Killarney Cycling Club. Without the combined support the event would certainly be way more difficult to run.

“We wish to acknowledge the passing of our great friend Padraig Harnett who for years so willingly gave of his time in the promotion and coverage of the event and his loss has been felt throughout the sporting world here in Kerry."

Padraig, who passed away last October was the most influential cycling journalist in Kerry.

Last year’s winner Lindsay Watson of Velo Revolution will make a defence of his title.

He will be challenged by local riders who have laid their claim in the form of Tom Moriarty from Castlegregory who had a successful year in 2022 in the professional ranks, and Lorcan Daly of Milltown who is the current Munster criterium champion.

Editor: Michelle Crean

Business Development Manager: Chris Davies

Graphic Designer: Leszek Szeligowski,

Sports Journalist: Adam Moynihan, Sean Moriarty

Sports Columnists: Adam Moynihan, Eamonn Fitzgerald, Liam Murphy, Eamonn Keogh

Journalist: Sean Moriarty

Contributing Columnists: Jill Duggan, Niamh Dwyer, Natalya Krasnenkova

Photographers: Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan, Valerie O’Sullivan, Dylan Clifford, Eamonn Keogh, Don MacMonagle, Sally MacMonagle