4 groups RISE to the occasion

Four community groups in Carrigaline have received a quick cash injection thanks to a newly launched grants fund.

The RISE Community Fund, supported by National Broadband Ireland, provides monthly grants for small businesses, social enterprises and charities in rural communities seeking to boost their digital ecosystems.

The 4 Carrigaline groups are the first recipients of the fund in the country since it launched last month. Receiving the grants of €1,000 each were the Castlelyons Community Centre, with plans to install a mobile booster to extend the benefits of high-speed connectivity; Carrigaline GAA to enable internet availability throughout the club grounds; Carrigaline Men’s Sheds to install a smart TV into their newly built facility and give access to videoconferencing and; Courtbrack Community Center to bolster its online capabilities and digitise some of its key functions including introducing online banking for the first time.

David McCourt, founder of RISE and Chairman of NBI, commented: “I’m delighted to say that since opening up applications in Carrigaline and the surrounding townlands, the response has been incredible and now we’re excited to be awarding grants to our four successful applicants. Each one of them is an inspiration, volunteering their time and committing a huge amount of energy and passion to bring pride of place to their local community.”