Minister For Rural And Community Development Marks Two Official Openings And Launches In Laois

Dara Calleary visited Durrow in Laois on Wednesday.

Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht visited Durrow in County Laois on the evening of Wednesday 16th September 2026 to officially open the Durrow Community/Family Cycle Trails and Darú HQ, the Durrow Community Enterprise Hub and formally launch Laois’ first ever County Outdoor Recreation Plan.

The visit marked significant milestones for Durrow and for County Laois, recognising the impact of national investment in rural regeneration, outdoor recreation and community facilities, and the important role of sustained local partnership in bringing ambitious community-led projects to completion.
Welcoming Minister Calleary to Durrow, Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, said:

“Today is a proud day for Laois, as we welcome Minister Calleary to tour and officially open the Community Cycle Trails and Darú HQ, the new Community Enterprise Hub. Both projects will support recreation and enterprise in our county. I am also delighted to witness the first County Outdoor Recreation Plan officially launched for the county. Everyone regardless of physical, social, or economic status should benefit from Laois' premier recreational amenities and programmes.”

“I want to sincerely thank Minister Calleary and his Department for their continued commitment to rural County Laois. Their support has been invaluable in helping towns and villages like Durrow improve their streetscapes and to bring valued buildings back into use, and create facilities be they indoor or outdoors that deliver real benefits for local people.”
 
The first stop on the Minister’s visit included the launch of the first ever County Laois Outdoor Recreation Plan 2026-2030 and the official opening of the Durrow Community/Family Cycle Trails.

Laois’ first ever County Laois Outdoor Recreation Plan 2026–2030 has been developed by Laois County Council in partnership with multiple outdoor recreation stakeholders and shaped by extensive public consultation. This plan reflects the collective commitment to making the outdoors accessible, inclusive, and sustainable. In line with the national strategy, Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors 2023–2027, this framework balances active recreation with environmental protection.

The implementation of this plan will be guided by the County Laois Outdoor Recreation Committee (CLORC), supported by the valuable input of the County Laois Outdoor Recreation Forum (CLORF).
Speaking at the launch, Minister Calleary said: "I was delighted to provide funding through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to support the development of the County Laois Outdoor Recreation Plan. This plan provides a coordinated, county-wide framework to guide the future development of outdoor recreation throughout Laois.

"Laois is a county with enormous outdoor recreation potential. From the Slieve Bloom mountains, forests and peatlands to its rich network of walking and cycling routes, Laois provides excellent opportunities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the outdoors. This plan will help build on these strengths in a sustainable way, making outdoor recreation more accessible so that communities across the county can enjoy the many health and wellbeing benefits associated with spending time outdoors and being physically active.
I want to commend the work of the Laois Outdoor Recreation Committee in engaging with stakeholders across the county to develop this plan for the people of Laois. Without their collaboration, dedication and commitment, this important plan would not have been possible.”
 
Ann Marie Maher, Laois County Council’s Sport and Recreation Officer said:
“I am thrilled to see Laois’ first County Outdoor Recreation Plan launched today. This plan recognises the importance of sustainability, balancing recreation with conservation so that Laois’ rich biodiversity and heritage are protected. 
There is already a well-established range of outdoor activities in Laois including walking, hiking and mountain biking, as well as various water-based activities such as fishing and paddle sports.
The plan will ensure we continue to build on this, providing a strategic approach to investment, infrastructure, and inclusive access, while ensuring that our landscapes and waterscapes continue to be safeguarded and enjoyed for generations to come.”
 
Funded through the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Fund with match funding provided by Laois County Council, Durrow Community/Family Cycle Trails was also launched at the event.
The trails are delivered in partnership with Pedal Vintage Durrow Community Group.

The volunteer-led group is dedicated to promoting cycling, heritage, tourism, and community wellbeing. Through its community bike hire scheme and guided heritage cycling tours, the group encourages people of all ages to explore the local countryside, learn about the area's rich history and enjoy sustainable outdoor recreation. The group also organises community cycling events, cultural activities and projects that support active travel and enhance Durrow as a visitor destination.

The official opening fittingly took place on the first day of European Mobility Week (16th to 22nd September). This year’s theme Mobility for Everyone is about making sure all people can access sustainable transport, no matter their income, location, gender or abilities.
The 10km of trails in Durrow, which consist of the Dunmore and Capponellan trails, have been updated with this ethos in mind to ensure that they cater for all levels of mobility.

Simon Walton, Director of Services at Laois County Council said:
“We are very proud of the variety and number of fantastic trails across Laois for residents and visitors to enjoy. The Durrow Community and Family Trails are an excellent addition to this range. We wholeheartedly commend Pedal Vintage Durrow for their dedication and commitment to this collaboration with Laois County Council. Together we have succeeded in upgrading and updating these trails, ensuring an ongoing, enhanced, sustainable and enjoyable amenity for the people of Durrow and beyond. We look forward to continued and expanding use of these Trails in the years to come.
We are extremely grateful to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht’s continued investment in County Laois. With proactive collaborations such as here in Durrow, the Outdoor Recreation Investment Scheme is supporting an excellent outdoor recreation scene in County Laois and we look forward to the Durrow trails being utilised and enjoyed for many years to come.”

Speaking at the launch, Matt Doyle of Pedal Vintage Durrow Community Group said:
“Welcome to my playground. Dunmore Wood was my playground as a child, along with my brothers and sisters and neighbouring families. We spent a lot of our time running, climbing and fishing in our paradise. Today we have to remember Hughie Sheppard and Noel Mooney as we celebrate the opening of the Trails. Their vision and determination have made the Woods even more accessible now. It is a playground for everyone.”

During his visit, Minister Calleary also opened DARÚ HQ, the new Durrow Community Enterprise Hub, funded through the 2022 Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and funded by Durrow Development Forum CLG, supported by Laois County Council with project management expertise from the Town Regeneration Section.

DARÚ HQ has transformed the former Methodist Chapel / ICA Hall heritage building and neighbouring Civil Defence site into a modern, multifunctional community and enterprise facility through sensitive blending of the old and new build elements.  The hub now provides flexible space for remote working, training, education, meetings, culture, recreation, youth activity, community events and local enterprise.
By enabling more people to work, learn and connect closer to home, the hub will deliver real-life benefits for the community for example, reduces commute times, supports quality family time, encourages greater participation in community life and the outdoors, and strengthens Durrow as a vibrant, inclusive and resilient rural town.

Key to delivering the project was the strong partnership between Durrow Development Forum, local community groups and sponsors, architects, contractors as well as the ongoing guidance and project management support from Laois County Council.
 
Minister Calleary said:
“It is a great privilege to be here with you this evening to officially open DARÚ HQ - Durrow Community Enterprise Hub, this transformative space brings new life into a historical local landmark the former Methodist Chapel and ICA Hall maintaining the heritage while delivering facilities for the modern workforce and community.
“Durrow is a perfect example of how the investment from the RRDF can support the sustainable development and regeneration of a town. This strategic investment provided through my department’s rural regeneration funds are revitalizing our rural towns and villages, not only addressing vacancy and dereliction, but providing the essential infrastructure needed by rural communities.”
 
Angela McEvoy, Director of Services at Laois County Council said:
“This community/economic development project is a gamechanger for Durrow and for County Laois as it supports the economic development opportunities within our county which is a major objective for Laois County Council. Our goal is for Laois to be seen as an attractive place to live, work and invest.
Projects like DARÚ HQ are vital in supporting remote working, local enterprise, and opportunities for people to work closer to home. It reduces the reliance on the car and thereby emissions, it gives people back their time and thereby an improved work life balance.
Events like today don’t happen without support from the local community. Alongside our Laois County Council regeneration team, Durrow Development Forum has shown huge dedication and commitment to sustaining Durrow as a vibrant, inclusive, resilient rural town. The result is a hub that provides essential infrastructure for community life, local enterprise, and cultural activity”.

 Evelyn Clancy, Chairperson of the Durrow Development Forum committee said:  
“We are both delighted and proud to see the opening of our new community hub; DARÚ HQ. This project has taken many years of dedicated hard work from the DDF Committee members and our local community in Durrow, who have constantly supported us.  A huge thank you to everyone involved!  We also wish to express our gratitude to Laois County Council for securing the Rural Regeneration Development Fund and their continued support and guidance.  We also pay special tribute to the Tomar Trust, Tony Woods and the many local businesses who have made such significant contributions to our fundraising efforts.
We look forward to seeing DARÚ HQ become an essential and vibrant part of community life here in Durrow, both from the potential commercial perspective and of course, most importantly, as a major centre for a wide range of community activities that will not only benefit us today, but for future generations to come.”