Funding of €2.3 million euro has been announced for seven projects in Co Mayo under the Rural Regeneration & Development Fund.

The Minister for Rural & Community Development Michael Ring has confirmed that three of the projects are solely within the county - this includes €825,000 to support the regeneration of Ballinrobe town, including upgrading the library and grounds and the Bowers Walk area and developing Market House; while €75,000 has been allocated towards developing plans for a national cycle network in Mayo from Leenaun in Co Galway to the Sligo county boundary; and €56,000 has been announced for developing the Lost Treasures Trail linking Westport and Cong and highlighting heritage assets along the way.

The other four projects cover a number of counties including Mayo.

They include €3.9 million for a major upgrade of 6 National Parks including Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park, along with funding to develop the Dark Sky Planetarium project in the national park,

almost €1 million has been allocated to develop an existing Geopark in the Joyce Country and Western Lakes area of Galway and Mayo,

and €644,000 has been alocated for the Western Development Commission to establish digital working hubs in Swinford, Tubbercurry, Tulsk and Stranorlar in Co Donegal.

This is part of a €62 million euro package of Government funding for 66 projects in rural communities across the country, to create jobs, rejuvenate communities and transform local economies.