The 2018 Town & Village Renewal Scheme is opening for applications from today (Friday).

Nationally , €15 million will be allocated to support rural regeneration projects in towns and villages across the country, and the scheme is aimed at areas with a population of less than 10,000 people.

Last year, 14 towns and villages in Co Mayo received funding under the scheme.

Grants were made available for projects such as Ballinrobe Town Hall, Ballycastle Museum, enhancement works in Balla, Ballyhaunis, Claremorris and Breaffy village, the Admiral Browne promenade in Foxford, round tower in Killala and Dark Sky project in Ballycroy.

The Mayo-based Minister for Rural & Community Development Michael Ring says this is a very important scheme for revitalising smaller rural villages and towns.