Two local villages, Fintona and Clogher, are among 10 in Northern Ireland to have secured funding to explore regeneration projects aimed at breathing new life into rural communities across Northern Ireland.

A key element of the scheme is to identify old buildings that could be brought back into use for the benefit of the community – historic properties in this round of funding include a former national school dating back to the 1840s, a workhouse which once housed 500 people before closing in 1916, and a fort dating back more than 400 years.

As part of the Village Catalyst Programme, the Management Committee of St. Patrick’s Hall, Fintona has been allocated a viability grant £8,000, while a development grant of £10,000 has been allocated to develop the former Poor Law Hospital, Clogher for Early Years.

Iain Greenway, Director of Department for Communities' Historic Environment Division, said: “I look forward to seeing the projects supported this year coming to fruition and delivering for their communities."