Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

26/08/2026

Supporting those who support our communities.

The new Kerry Mountain Rescue vehicle is a great example of the Community Recognition Fund delivering practical support on the ground.

With €150,000 in funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, a state-of-the-art 4x4 rescue vehicle was provided for Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.

The vehicle will support the team in providing critical services to the community and visitors to Killarney National Park.

This is what community funding is about — providing the equipment and resources local organisations need to continue their vital work.


Dara Calleary TD Kerry County Council

26/08/2026

📢 Request for Quotation – SICAP 2024–2028

Suitably qualified consultants are invited to submit proposals to undertake a Data and Monitoring Desk Review of SICAP 2024–2028.

The review will assess SICAP’s performance and monitoring arrangements, using programme data to support learning and inform future programme development.

📅 Deadline: Friday, 28 August at 11am

SICAP is funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) under the EIST Programme 2021–2027.

📧 Submit proposals to [email protected], copying [email protected]

Full RFQ package and sample contract:
👉 https://lnkd.in/d858WzGw
👉 https://lnkd.in/dcAd_vDd

24/08/2026

Ag tacú leis an Ghaeilge sa ré dhigiteach.

Ag breathnú siar ar chuairt an Aire Dara Calleary TD ar Ollscoil na Gaillimhe (University of Galway) chun leagan digiteach de An Gaodhal a sheoladh.

Chuir an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta beagnach €47,000 ar fáil chun tacú le digitiú an bhailiúcháin iomláin de An Gaodhal, rud a fhágann go bhfuil sé ar fáil go hoscailte agus gur féidir le taighdeoirí, mic léinn agus an pobal i gcoitinne cuardach a dhéanamh ann.

Thacaigh an tionscadal freisin le forbairt teicneolaíochta nua Aitheantas Optúil Carachtar (OCR) atá in ann téacs stairiúil Gaeilge a phróiseáil.
Is sampla den scoth é seo den chaoi ar féidir le maoiniú ón Roinn tacú le nuálaíocht dhigiteach agus, ag an am céanna, láithreacht agus inrochtaineacht na Gaeilge a neartú.

23/08/2026

21/08/2026

Ireland’s outdoors is one of our greatest shared resources — and investment in outdoor recreation infrastructure helps communities make the most of them.

At the 3rd National Outdoor Recreation Conference, we spoke to participants about their experiences of the sector and the importance of investing in quality outdoor recreation opportunities.

Hear directly from those involved and discover how the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is helping support outdoor recreation and rural communities across Ireland.

The 2026/2027 scheme is open for applications at Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.



Dara Calleary TD Mayo County Council Cavan County Council Fáilte Ireland

20/08/2026

What can our placenames tell us about the landscapes of the past? 🌳
Last month, Minister Dara Calleary launched the Placenames and Ecology in the European Context workshop in Dublin.
Researchers and academics from Ireland, Britain and continental Europe came together to explore how placenames can preserve evidence of changing landscapes — from forests and boglands to plants, animals, soil and geology.
The workshop was jointly organised by the Gaois research group at DCU and our Placenames Branch as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency programme.
🔎 Explore Ireland’s placenames: https://loom.ly/EfdmOjk

Cad is féidir le logainmneacha a insint dúinn faoi thírdhreacha an ama atá thart? 🌳
An mhí seo caite, sheol an tAire Dara Calleary an ceardlann Logainmneacha agus Éiceolaíocht i gComhthéacs na hEorpa i mBaile Átha Cliath.
Tháinig taighdeoirí agus acadóirí ó Éirinn, ón mBreatain agus ó mhór-roinn na hEorpa le chéile chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar an gcaoi ar féidir le logainmneacha fianaise a chaomhnú faoi thírdhreacha atá ag athrú — ó choillte agus portaigh go plandaí, ainmhithe, ithir agus geolaíocht.
Eagraíodh an cheardlann i gcomhpháirt ag an ngrúpa taighde Gaois in DCU agus ag ár mBrainse Logainmneacha mar chuid de chlár Uachtaránacht na hÉireann ar an Aontas Eorpach.
🔎 Déan iniúchadh ar logainmneacha na hÉireann: https://loom.ly/UmFpuXc

Dara Calleary TD Meitheal Logainm DCU logainm.ie

20/08/2026

Cad is féidir le logainmneacha a insint dúinn faoi thírdhreacha an ama atá thart? 🌳

An mhí seo caite, sheol an tAire Dara Calleary an ceardlann Logainmneacha agus Éiceolaíocht i gComhthéacs na hEorpa i mBaile Átha Cliath.

Tháinig taighdeoirí agus acadóirí ó Éirinn, ón mBreatain agus ó mhór-roinn na hEorpa le chéile chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar an gcaoi ar féidir le logainmneacha fianaise a chaomhnú faoi thírdhreacha atá ag athrú — ó choillte agus portaigh go plandaí, ainmhithe, ithir agus geolaíocht.

Eagraíodh an cheardlann i gcomhpháirt ag an ngrúpa taighde Gaois in DCU agus ag ár mBrainse Logainmneacha mar chuid de chlár Uachtaránacht na hÉireann ar an Aontas Eorpach.

🔎 Déan iniúchadh ar logainmneacha na hÉireann: https://loom.ly/UmFpuXc

What can our placenames tell us about the landscapes of the past? 🌳

Last month, Minister Dara Calleary launched the Placenames and Ecology in the European Context workshop in Dublin.

Researchers and academics from Ireland, Britain and continental Europe came together to explore how placenames can preserve evidence of changing landscapes — from forests and boglands to plants, animals, soil and geology.

The workshop was jointly organised by the Gaois research group at DCU and our Placenames Branch as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency programme.

🔎 Explore Ireland’s placenames: https://loom.ly/EfdmOjk

Dara Calleary TD Meitheal Logainm DCU logainm.ie

19/08/2026

LEADER funding making a difference in Tramore.
The KOKORO Visitor and Cultural Centre is an example of how LEADER, supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG), is helping local communities deliver projects that benefit their areas.
With almost €160,000 in LEADER funding, the project has supported the development of the new centre and enhanced the facilities available at the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens Tramore .
Through LEADER, DRCDG continues to support locally led projects that strengthen rural communities and contribute to sustainable local development.
Local funding. Local projects. Lasting impact. More details on https://loom.ly/qV_DzRc

Dara Calleary TD

19/08/2026

Two Irish projects have been shortlisted for the ESF+ Social Innovation Awards 2026 — and voting closes tomorrow!

👏 Ballyhoura Development CLG ’s Breakthrough Pilot supported through SICAP, is one of just 31 projects shortlisted from 11 EU countries.

The project provides tailored, person-centred support to individuals and families facing complex challenges, helping people build confidence, self-advocacy and independence.

Also shortlisted is Rural Revive, an initiative of Monaghan Integrated Development CLG and Cavan County Local Development, supporting people aged 45+ experiencing long-term unemployment in rural communities.

🗳️ Public voting closes Thursday, 20 August.

Voters are asked to select three projects.

👉 Watch the shortlisted projects and cast your vote:
https://loom.ly/wCIJLto

The projects receiving the most votes will have the opportunity to present at the ESF+ Social Innovation Forum in Brussels this October.