Kildare County Council urged to help community-run café find new premises
The request was made by the Mayor of one County Kildare Municipal District
Kildare County Council (KCC) has been urged to help a community-run café in South Kildare find a new premises.
The appeal was made by the newly-elected Mayor of the Athy Municipal District (MD), Labour Party Cllr Mark Leigh, at the latest MD meeting on Monday, July 20 last.
Near the conclusion of the meeting, Mayor Leigh motioned for KCC to council assists Piers Café in Moone ‘in identifying a suitable building to ensure the continuation of this valued community service’.
Mayor Leigh’s request was seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Ivan Keatley.
In response to Mayor Leigh’s motion, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: “KCC understands that the Piers Café is a social enterprise and, on that basis, has contacted the LEADER programme [which is an initiative which can help provide funding for local businesses] to engage with the enterprise concerned regarding potential funding opportunities.
“In that regard LEADER is currently operating a targeted call for social enterprises with the deadline for submission of expressions of interest being Friday, July 31, 2026.
“Maximum grant funding for works, including fit out of new locations or building upgrades, is €87,000 with up to 75 per cent total eligible project costs funded.”
KCC concluded: “It is understood that already an initial meeting has taken place regarding this opportunity.”
‘THE SOCIAL HEART’ OF THE AREA
Speaking further on the matter, Mayor Leigh emphasised to KCC that the café’s current lease is due to end in 2028.
“It is more than a café; it is the social heart of Moone,” he added. “People of all ages meet there.”
Mayor Leigh also thanked KCC for the information contained in the report.
Following this, a representative for KCC told Mayor Leigh that KCC ‘acknowledges the excellent work of the community group’ in charge of the café.
However, they further said that while the LEADER programme could provide ‘an opportunity’ for Piers Café, they stressed that KCC does not have any funding ‘in its control at present in order to fund this project’.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme