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Over £8 million is to be made available to community and voluntary organisations across the north including 21 across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area. A total of 243 buildings, halls and facilities are set to benefit. The announcement was made on Wednesday 22 April jointly by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir.
They include the Clanrye Group, Crossmaglen GAC, Cumin Pheadair Naofa, Warrenpoint; Jonesborough and Dromintee Community Enterprises, Peadar O'Dornin GAA Forkhill; Silverbridge Harps Community Resource Centre, St Monica's Boxing Club and St Catherine's Dominican. Newry.
The funding is being delivered through the Northern Ireland Community Infrastructure Fund, which Minister Lyons announced last autumn. The original allocation of £4.32 million from the Department for Communities has been increased to £8.32 million following an additional £4 million contribution made jointly by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Department for Communities.
Minister Lyons said the fund is "an excellent example of two Departments working together to deliver for people in Northern Ireland" and would support facilities that are "the lifeblood of communities across Northern Ireland." He said he was pleased to be in a position, with the support of Minister Muir, to issue offers to organisations across every local council area.
Lyons said he had seen first-hand in his role as Communities Minister "how vital community buildings and local halls are as the beating heart of our cities, towns and villages" and said that understanding of the need for long-term investment had prompted him to establish the fund.
Minister Muir said community facilities play a vital role in sustaining rural life, providing shared spaces that support social connection, wellbeing and local services. He said the additional contribution from his department reflected "ongoing commitment to supporting rural communities" and welcomed the collaborative working between departments to deliver the programme.
Subject to grant acceptance and compliance with grant conditions, successful applicants are expected to begin project delivery from May 2026.
Concluding, Minister Lyons pointed to the level of interest in the scheme as evidence that the fund needs to operate on a longer-term basis. He said his department is developing proposals for a future recurring scheme, drawing on evidence and learning from the current programme, and that he looks forward to making a further announcement in due course.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Funded Organisations
Ballykilbeg Rural Development Association
Ballylone Rural Development Association
Clanrye Group Limited
Crossmaglen Rangers GAC
Cumann Pheadair Naofa CLG (St. Peters GAA,
Warrenpoint, Co. Down)
Cumberland True Blues LOL 358
Finnis Rural Development Association
Friends Forever Europe
Jonesborough and Dromintee Community Enterprises
Kilcoo Regeneration Group Ltd
Lissara Congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
Moneydarragh Community Hub Limited
National Council of Young Men's Christian Associations of
Ireland Limited
Patrician Youth Centre
Peadar O Doirnin GAA, Forkhill
Seaforde Young Farmers Club
Silverbridge Harps Community Resource Centre Ltd
Spa Golf Club
Spa Presbyterian Church
St Monica's Boxing Club
St Catherine's Dominican Church Newry
