Ann Marie Maher, Sports and Leisure Officer; Stephanie Kelly, Just Transition Officer for Laois; Denise Rainey, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Officer and Majella Moore and Dan Bergin, Laois PPN at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Laois County Council and its Regeneration team hosted an inaugural funding roadshow held on Thursday at Bloom HQ, Mountrath.
The event attracted a full house of enthusiastic attendees from across the county — including town teams, business owners, voluntary organisations, and community leaders — all eager to explore funding opportunities and connect with experts.
The dynamic and inclusive atmosphere highlighted the collaborative spirit that continues to drive positive change in Laois.
Hosted in the welcoming Liath Luachra Suite, the funding roadshow featured representatives from key Laois County Council departments.
This included the Business Support Unit, Laois Local Enterprise Office, Regeneration, Vacant Homes’ & Climate Action, Tourism, Sports & Recreation Sections, Local Authority Integration Team, Laois Sports Partnership, Healthy Ireland, Creative Ireland, LAWPRO, PPN, Just Transition Fund & EU Just Transition Fund Tourism Activator.
Laois Partnership also played a central role, offering expert advice on a wide range of community-focused grants.
Attendees were provided with:
In-depth guidance on current and future grant schemes and application processes
Practical advice on community development funding
Strategies for transforming vacant and derelict properties
One-on-one consultations with Council and Laois Partnership experts
An invaluable opportunity for community representatives and town teams from different towns across the county to network and share ideas about town centre regeneration and revitalisation with like-minded individuals.
“This roadshow exceeded expectations, — the engagement, the questions, the networking — it clearly demonstrated the appetite and readiness of communities across Laois to drive local development” said Denise Rainey, Town Regeneration Officer at Laois County Council.
“We were especially encouraged to see so many groups interested in tackling vacancy and dereliction issues, a key focus of our regeneration work here under the government’s Town Centre First Policy.”
Participants left equipped with clear next steps and actionable insights to secure funding for a diverse array of projects.
The roadshow also provided a critical early look at 2025 grant timelines, helping local groups prepare well in advance.
Denise added: “Laois County Council extends heartfelt thanks to all who attended, participated, and supported the roadshow in the fabulous inclusive venue that is Bloom HQ.
“Together, we are regenerating, stronger, more vibrant towns and villages across Laois.”
Feedback from the evening has been overwhelmingly positive, with many calling for similar events in the future.
The Regeneration team at Laois County Council is already exploring opportunities to host follow-up sessions and thematic funding clinics later in the year.
Alf Harvey was present at the event and captured some great images:
The County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.The County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.The County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Catherine Guidera and Lesley Cowper, Laois County Council Regeneration Section; Ann Marie Maher, Sports and Leisure Officer and Suzanne Dempsey, Climate Action Section LCC at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.David Broderick from Creative Ireland Laois and Elena Buga from the Moldovan Community Support Group at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Catherine Guidera, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Section and James Furlong, Laois County Council Vacant Homes and Derelict Properties at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.The County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Dan and Mary Carmody and Larry O’Loughlin at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Jackie Carroll, Laois Chamber Alliance; Miriam Dillon, MH Physio Clinic; Denise Rainey, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Officer; Mark Clancy, Local Enterprise Office Laois and Thomas Dillon, Executive Engineer Laois County Council at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Cllr Paddy Buggy, Anne Payne, Mountmellick Mens Shed; Sabrina Bowden, Mná Le Chéile Mens Shed and Jackie Carroll, Laois Chamber Alliance at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Ann Carroll and Aga Wypychowska from LAIT; Denise Rainey, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Officer and Stephanie Kelly, Just Transition Officer Laois at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.David Broderick, Creative Ireland Laois; Sheila Cahill, Business Support Unit LCC; Catherine Guidera, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Section; Ann Carroll, LAIT; Emma O’Connor, Healthy Laois; Ann Phelan from the Local Authority Waters Programme and Mark Clancy, Local Enterprise Office Laois at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Ann Marie Maher, Sports and Leisure Officer; Stephanie Kelly, Just Transition Officer for Laois; Denise Rainey, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Officer and Majella Moore and Dan Bergin, Laois PPN at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Mountmellick Town Team of Cllr Paddy Buggy, Majella Moore, Tom Gorry, Mountmellick Mens Shed; Thomas Dillon, Executive Engineer LCC with Denise Rainey, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Officer and Lesley Cowper and Catherine Guidera, Laois County Council Regeneration Section at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Mountrath Town Team of Mark Robertson, Mark Sheeran, Cllr James Kelly, Martin Meade and Fr Joe Brophy with Stephanie Kelly, Just Transition Officer for Laois; Denise Rainey, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Officer and Lesley Cowper and Catherine Guidera, Laois County Council Regeneration Section at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Pat Delaney and Cllr John King from Rathdowney Town Team with Catherine Guidera, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Section and Denise Rainey, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Officer at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Public representatives, Cllr Aisling Moran, Cllr James Kelly and Cllr Marie Tuohy with Denise Rainey, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Officer and Lesley Cowper and Catherine Guidera, Laois County Council Regeneration Section at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.Denise Rainey, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Officer; Martina McGrath Daly, Ballylinan Town Team; Catherine Guidera, Laois County Council Town Regeneration Section and Horace Downey and Niamh Conaghan, Ballylinan Town Team at the County Funding Roadshow hosted by the Regeneration Section of Laois County Council at Bloom HQ in Mountrath. Picture: Alf Harvey.
