This week's Galway Advertiser spotlights the town of Loughrea, introducing readers to community leaders, selfless volunteers, and local businesses whose continued investment in the region helps to keep it thriving.
Kicking off the first in our summer spotlight series is Loughrea, and what a town to start with. Overlooked by the stunning Slieve Aughty mountains and structured around the lake for which the town was named after, Loughrea is a rural town which marches to the beat of its drum.
Part of what makes Loughrea a truly special place is highlighted in the 2022 Census, detailing the patchwork quilt of people who call it home. The findings of the Census tell the story of a local community which is growing, bucking national trends of population decline in rural settlements. It tells the story of a town which has a big heart and a collective willingness to help society for the better, and one where hundreds of young people and children will grow up learning and adopting these vital traits.
Volunteering for a brighter future
Home to some 6,300 people, according to the 2022 Census, more than 10 per cent of Loughrea's general population (738 people ) engage in voluntary work. This figure is particularly impressive when you take into account that over 25 per cent of the population of Loughrea is under 18 years old. To those unfamiliar with Loughrea, this may seem almost unbelievable, but for those who know the town and the incredible people who live there, it is all too real.
Summing up all of the different voluntary groups operating within the town would be a difficult task, an impossible one if there is a word count, but for this feature, we have endeavoured to amplify and recognise the works of such groups.
Groups like Loughrea Tidy Towns, for example, are a collective who work tirelessly to transform the town, bringing together its residents and uniting everyone under a common goal - to be proud of Loughrea. Or the Loughrea Arts, Recreation & Culture group, which has spent nearly a decade campaigning to restore Loughrea Town Hall, facilitating the return of a vital hub for the local community. Or the volunteers of the Loughrea Family and Community Resource Centre, which provides invaluable support to the local community, or the volunteer team from the local Jack and Jill Foundation shop and the St Vincent De Paul shop. Let us not forget the trojan work for the Loughrea Lions Club, whose selfless endeavours have helped change the lives of those near and far for the better.
The local economy
This good nature is not just confined to volunteers, but to local businesses, who put their money where their mouth is, and participate with community initiatives like 'Proud to Keep Loughrea Tidy', or who donate and/or sponsor teams, improvement projects and schemes.
This support is reciprocated by the local consumer in Loughrea, resulting in several businesses in the town having recently celebrated, or are getting ready to celebrate, significant anniversaries. Amongst these are Lakeside Motors, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in April, Florabunda Florists, who are now 35 years in business and both Tom Doyle Motors and Loughrea Curtain and Blind Centre celebrate 40 years in business this year. It is not just the long-established businesses celebrating, as Malvina Yoga & Pilates Studio Loughrea will soon celebrate its first year in business.
While many may know Loughrea for its sporting achievements, its relatively short distance from Galway city, or for the many historical events which occurred nearby, I think the thing that makes it truly brilliant is its people, and their commitment to each other.
