As part of the Government's plan to revitalise rural towns and villages.
The new branding for the Emily Square and Ernest Shackleton Project was unveiled on Thursday, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD.
The Minister visited Athy on to officially open rural development projects funded by her Department.
The projects received an investment of over €2.7 million from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
The Minister’s visit was part of a nationwide tour to promote 'Our Rural Future'.
The 'Our Rural Future' is the Government’s new rural development strategy, which aims to revitalise towns and villages, promote remote working, and ensure balanced regional development.
The Minister was welcomed to the county by Cathaoirleach of County Kildare, Cllr. Naoise Ó Cearúil at Athy Heritage Centre and Museum, and was also joined by Kildare's Minister Martin Heydon.
The project hopes create a tourism attraction and revitalise the centre of the town.
Minister Humphreys then went on to ‘The Old Hardware Project’ in Narraghmore, a community led social enterprise that has previously received investment from the Town & Village Renewal Scheme.
She cut the ribbon on phase 2 of the project formally opening an additional space that can be used for retail.
The next engagement was at Venture House Remote Working Hub, a co-working hub, located in Crookstown.
The next stop was in Monasterevin to launch a new town renewal masterplan.
Minister Humphreys then went Kildare Market Square to see how work done during the pandemic has been the catalyst for the regeneration of the town centre, with the opening of several new businesses around the square in previously disused buildings.
There are plans for the redesign of the Market Square and the project has received funding of over €1.7 million from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
The Minister’s visit concluded where she opened the first 5km of the Barrow Blueway at Lowtown.
Minister Heather Humphreys commented:“There is a huge focus in my Department on investing in the likes of our blueways, greenways, cycleways and walking trails.
“These natural amenities have been a godsend in terms of meeting up with friends and family and getting some exercise and fresh air," she added.
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