There are celebrations around Buncrana today after the announcement of €1.7million funding to save Swan Park.
The much-loved community park was destroyed in the Inishowen flooding of August 2017.
Since then, community campaigners have worked to source money for repair works. An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was presented with an open letter signed by nine local groups calling for funds during his visit last September.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is presented with a letter calling for the restoration of Swan Park. Photo Rachel McLaughlin
Now, as part of a special funding package, €1.7M has been allocated to bring the park back to life.
Inishowen Councillor Jack Murray said the funding is a victory for the community.
Cllr Murray said: “The importance of Swan Park to the people of Inishowen cannot overstated. It is loved by everyone in this community.
“I am proud of the people who refused to lie down on this issue and campaigned to secure this funding.
“As mayor of Inishowen, I organised a public meeting from which a petition was launched to lobby government for funding. The petition was made available in business throughout Inishowen and thousands of people used it to make their voice heard. That was then referenced in the council’s funding application as evidence of the public demand for Swan Park to be restored.
“I commend my colleague, Senator Padraig Mac Lochlainn, for organising a meeting with key departmental officials in Leinster House where we put forward the case for Swan Park.
“That meeting was facilitated by Minister Joe McHugh who, likewise, worked on this campaign and should also be commended.
“Ultimately this is a victory for people power. The people of Inishowen made their voices heard and got no less than they deserve. It just goes to show what we can deliver by standing together. ”
Another €1.5million from the government funding package will fund an extension of the Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair digital hub.
