CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais)

CLÁR (Ceantair Laga Árd-Riachtanais) is a targeted investment programme for rural areas that aims to provide funding for small infrastructural projects in areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population and/or socio-economic disadvantage and geographic remoteness (see map of County Louth’s CLÁR areas here). The programme is delivered by the Department of Rural & Community Development & the Gaeltacht (DRCDG) and the funding assists in building the resilience of these rural communities.

Under 2026 CLÁR Programme, funding will be provided across three measures:

• Measure 1: Development of community facilities and amenities including sports facilities, youth clubs, teenage spaces, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks and much more. There are new items eligible for support this year under Measure 1, including support for traffic safety measures with a particular link to community facilities or events, and for initiatives aimed at reducing light pollution in rural communities. (applications via local authorities)
• Measure 2: Support for vehicles for community transport used to transport cancer patients or persons with reduced mobility, for community first responders and for meals on wheels organisations. (applications direct to DRCDG)
• Measure 3: Tailored funding for offshore island communities under the specific ‘Our Living Islands’ measure. (applications direct to DRCDG)

Under Measure 1, the types of projects that may be supported include:

• Small scale renovation works to community facilities open to the wider community such as community centres/sports centres/clubhouses of sporting groups/youth centres/men’s sheds etc. This includes external works such as parking and accessibility enhancements
• Multi-use gaming areas (MUGAs)/Astro-turf facilities including upgrades (see information box in respect of astro turf surfaces below)
• Playgrounds/skateboard parks/pump tracks/cycling tracks/teenage spaces
• Walking/running /athletics tracks
• Handball alleys/tennis courts/basketball courts/cricket grounds/ outdoor bowling areas
• Community gyms/community cinemas
• 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
• Community focussed traffic safety measures
• Improving access at sports grounds e.g. development/upgrade of spectator stands at local sports grounds with a particular focus on improving access for people of all abilities and ages
• Toilets/showers in community facilities but not sports team changing rooms or showers.
• Emergency Generators
• Actions to remediate light pollution (terrestrial and marine) through restorative lighting strategies to protect and/or retore Ireland’s dark skies
• Solar Bins

The window for applications under the 2026 CLÁR scheme is now closed. If you have any queries in relation to the CLÁR Programme, please email funding@louthcoco.ie