Redhills Development Association received funding support from the Cavan 2023 – 2027

LEADER programme to prepare a strategic plan for their community to serve as a road map for the rejuvenation of Redhills. In early June 2025, this 5 Year Strategic Plan for Redhills was launched in Killoughter Hall.

Mr. Alan McAdam from MCA Consultants went through the findings of the plan with the assembled crowd highlighting areas for redevelopment, rejuvenation and regrowth. Like many rural towns, Redhills is feeling the pinch demographically with higher than average age Dependency rates coupled with a rising HP Deprivation score. The area is in urgent need of investment and incentives to bring people to the area. The plan highlighted the underlying strengths of the area with the picturesque village and quaint setting; a reminder of what Irish villages were like. The rich history from a border village, the social history and the bustling times from the two films in the early 1990s; The Playboys and the Run of the Country are also a unique selling point.

With the prospect of the Greenway and Ulster Canal, Redhills geographically is in a great location for Cavan tourism and the untouched setting is the pride of the community. Sadly, the village and surrounding area like many towns, has 22 derelict buildings which will be targeted for repurpose and redevelopment. The government grant incentives for these dwellings and the current property market makes redevelopment of these buildings a very attractive prospect and will greatly enhance the aesthetics of the village. Redhills Development Association hope to work with these property owners to find a workable solution to help create vital housing opportunities

Along with these plans will be the proposal to safely connect the village with its school and parish church/hall via safe footpaths. This is a necessity to ensure children can safely and sustainably walk to school, residents can safely walk to mass, graveyard or various events in the parish hall. The plan is ambitious, contains a roadmap for the community over the next 5 years and offers huge optimism. Redhills Development Association also noted caution as they cannot solely lead all these changes and projects; as volunteers from the community will need to put their shoulder to the wheel to help create change.

Those gathered showed their appreciation for the work of the Development association led by Chairman Philip Hayes, Secretary Geraldine West, Treasurers John Kelly and Noel Faulkner and committee members; Kevin Mc Carron, Brigid Reilly, Lorraine Fay, Alan Sheridan and Conor Mc Mahon. The committee acknowledged the assistance of County Cavan Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), Cavan County Council, Breffni Integrated CLG T/A CCLD, The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG), the EU and EAFRD in part-funding this project.

Redhills Development Association received 90% funding support towards the cost of researching and preparing this plan through the 2023-2027 LEADER programme. Funding is currently available for community projects in Cavan and full details are available on Cavan County Local Development (CCLD) website; [https://www.ccld.ie/about-cavan-leader-programme](https://www.ccld.ie/about-cavan-leader-programme)