This year marks a proud milestone for Athenry Credit Union – 60 years of serving our members, supporting local families, and standing shoulder to shoulder with the communities of Athenry and the surrounding areas, together with the communities of each subbranch in more recent years. Since our foundation in 1966, our purpose has always been simple and strong: people helping people.
To celebrate this anniversary in a meaningful way, we are delighted to launch a NEW Community Fund Initiative, committing up to €200,000 to support local community groups, clubs, schools and voluntary organisations.
The Community Fund initiative has been established to provide support to community-based groups that enrich our community through their dedication and hard work. We want to assist groups, clubs, schools with funding which will allow them to take an additional step towards strengthening the development of the community they are involved within along with fostering growth, inclusion and positive social impact.
Announcing the initiative, CEO Tony Dennis said that as a community-based Credit Union for 60 years, we believe our role goes beyond financial services.
“This €200,000 Community Fund is our way of giving back to the people and groups who make the areas of Athenry, Ballygar, Birr, Kilkerrin, Kinvara, Menlough and Portumna such a vibrant place to live. By supporting local initiatives, we are investing directly in the wellbeing, resilience and future of our communities.”
Credit unions were developed from communities, and they continue to belong to them. Everything we do is rooted in local need, local voices and local ambition. Over the past six decades, we have seen first-hand how much can be achieved when communities are supported – from sporting clubs nurturing the next generation, to schools investing in young minds, to volunteer groups working tirelessly to support the vulnerable and bring people together.
Across our towns and villages, there are countless organisations quietly making an extraordinary difference. They are the heartbeat of our community. They foster inclusion, improve wellbeing, create opportunity and ensure that no one is left behind. Through this initiative, they want to empower those groups to prosper and achieve their goals in bringing impactful projects to life.
The Credit Union’s 60th anniversary is a time for reflection, gratitude and optimism.
“We are deeply thankful to our members, volunteers and staff – past and present – who have shaped Athenry Credit Union into what it is today. We are equally excited about the future and the role we can continue to play in building strong, inclusive and thriving communities.
“Together, let’s mark this milestone not just by celebrating our history, but by investing in the future of the communities and their projects that we are proud be a part of.”
Applications can be made through www.athenrycu.ie or by visiting your local Athenry Credit Union branch between February 5th and March 12th 2026. Terms and conditions apply.
