Funding of €200,000 has been announced today by Minister Phil Hogan for the Castlerea Community Arts Group, to complete the renovation and refurbishment works at Holy Trinity Church, which is being developed as an Arts, Heritage & Cultural Centre.

Minister Hogan has given sanction to the Roscommon Leader Partnership to approve the funding of €200,000 for the redevelopment of the 200-year old church – where the first President of Ireland Dr Douglas Hyde was baptised.

The centre will include a 220-seat theatre and tourist information centre, and much of the work has already been completed.

Roscommon FG Deputy Frank Feighan has welcomed news of this €200,000 funding to complete the project.

The funding has also been welcomed by the Castlerea Community Arts Group, who hope to have the new centre open by the second half of next year.