A project that aims to revitalise Carrick-on-Suir in Co.Tipperary by developing a new biodiversity park and other facilities is to get €14.3 million from the rural regeneration and development fund.

The Co.Tipperary project is one of 23 that has been selected to received funding totaling €115 million to "breathe new life and vibrancy" into rural town centres.

According to the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys the projects are being funded as part of the government's five year "Our Rural Future" initiative.

Minister Humphreys today (Thursday, November 10) visited the site of one of the projects in Cappoquin, Co. Waterford to confirm details of the country-wide funding packages.

Cappoquin will get more than €5 million to convert three derelict town centre buildings, one of which is a former pub, into residential accommodation.

“We are all familiar with historic old buildings in our local towns which have lay vacant for far too long.  These are iconic buildings in our town centres and I don’t want to see them lying idle, falling into disrepair or becoming dilapidated eyesores," she said.

Other towns that will receive a boost under the government's rural regeneration programme include:

Minister Humphreys believes new projects in these towns will help to drive "job creation" in areas such as food innovation and offshore renewable energy.