The power of music brings us all together

The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. It is separate in its objectives and scope to any other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the significant number of arrivals from Ukraine.

€50 million was made available under the Fund, and this has been allocated between each local authority based on the number of new arrivals located there. €30 million of the Fund will be available in 2023 and €20 million in 2024. A minimum spend of 60% must be incurred by the local authorities in 2023 with the remaining 40% in 2024. The application submitted by Kilkenny was based on the number of Ukrainian arrivals to County Kilkenny per CSO statistics in December 2022. There are currently over 1,500 Ukrainians now resident in Kilkenny.

A fantastic concert was held at River Nore Music Academy honoring May 21st as World Day for Cultural Diversity! e air was lled with the melodies of di erent cultures, reminding us of the beauty in our diversity. River Nore would like to thank the brilliant artists who graced the stage and captured our hearts and souls. Special thanks to the honorable Ambassador of Hungary, Mr.Tankoczi Zsombor, and Ms.Nani Klepo, the Attaché of the Croatian Embassy, who shared their rich cultural history with the guests. Finally, they would like to thank Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick and Cllr Deirdre Cullen for their assistance in making this event a huge success! eir dedication to promoting cultural diversity in our community is truly inspiring. Let's continue to celebrate and embrace our di erences, for it is through cultural diversity that we create a more harmonious and inclusive world.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick has welcomed the funding stating that “I warmly welcome this funding which will have a positive impact on communities across Kilkenny and thank all communities for embracing and welcoming Ukrainians into their towns and villages”.

Nineteen projects in total were approved for Kilkenny including Kilkenny Countryside Park in Dunmore which has received funding to allow further development of same. Other projects included a bus shelter for Ballyhale to service the surrounding community; playground enhancement works in Castlecomer, Ballyragget, Freshford, Bennettsbridge and Kilmacow. Other recipients of the fund included St. Vincent de Paul Charity Shop, Butts Green; Community Radio Kilkenny City; Kilkenny Home Rule Club; Newpark

Close Family Resource Centre; Fr. Mc Grath Family Resource Centre; Ossory Youth; Thomastown Community Allotments; surfacing of the access road servicing Mooncoin Celtic Soccer Club and painting of properties in Graignamanagh.

The full list of projects and approvals are attached.