A strong case to develop a state-of-the-art community centre in Islandeady was outlined to members of Castlebar Municipal District when they met at the existing centre for their May meeting on Wednesday last.
On behalf of Islandeady Community Council in attendance at the meeting, Liam Keaveney stated that a new eight-acre site located across the road from the existing centre had been procured from a local landowner, with a view to fulfilling the Islandeady Community Development Project, which contains a number of proposed developments for the area - including a new Community Centre.
In line with a slideshow presentation, he stated: “As you can see with the crowd in here today, the current space is very tight. Foroige has to split its meetings over two nights because the centre cannot take all the teenagers at once. We have a thriving local GAA club with over 130 children aged 5-12 each Saturday morning on the pitch training. We are nicely in the middle between Castlebar and Westport, with plenty of mountains and hills and scenery of Nephin and Croagh Patrick to enjoy. We are a rural, secluded, peaceful area set to be bypassed by the new N5 motorway, with many recreational pursuits and opportunities linking Bilberry Lake with Lough Lannagh and other attractions. We are near the Greenway and want to link in to Westport and Castlebar and bring tourists into the village.”
He outlined a range of activities and group bookings going on at the centre, including Wednesday get-togethers for people aged 55 and over, Foroige, Men’s Shed, Ramblin’ House, Ladies Club, RSS Scheme, Bilberries Playgroup, Islandeady Pioneers, Heritage Group, Bingo night, Cards Group, GAA Club, Golf Society, Caring Services, (come together to support funerals/currently caring for Ukraine refugees ), Community Alert, Walks Group, Business and Tourism, Bilberry Angling, Gun Club, Village enhancement and the national schools from Cloggernaugh, Cogaula and Cornanool and added that the area is also ‘full of historical gems’.
He continued: “As you can see, there are 25 organisations in this community fighting for a building, and this just gives a flavour how busy and vibrant this community is. We have a population of over 1,550 in Islandeady, there are 630 houses - 594 of which are in use. It is an active community council striving to develop and improve the social, economic and cultural development of the community.”
He added that the council has had meetings with designated architect Michael Horan, with council representatives, as well as Mayo Tourism Officer Anna Connor in regard to Greenway/Blueway developments along Bilberry lake.
Community feedback for the site following an Open Day with locals includes proposals to develop a new community centre with the provision of up to 600 parking spaces on the site, as well as a playground, a sports hall, and the possibility of exploring ideas of a shop with home baking, also a recreation centre, a biodiversity park, access to the lake perhaps via a boardwalk - and more. Once the architect processed the community feedback, plans would be drawn up and it was hoped to go for planning permission later this summer.
Mr Keaveney and Islandeady Community Council were broadly congratulated by councillors on the extensive presentation as well as the organisation of the centre for the MD meeting.
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said the overall proposal was an excellent one, adding: “I am sure councillors will help in any way we can and we wish you well; you are doing excellent work and we can see you need a bit of money.”
Cllr Blackie Gavin said he was ‘delighted to be here, this is a marvellous community, and you can feel the energy here is great’. He continued: “I will put my shoulder to the wheel for anything I can do. I used to come here with my late father with the bread van, Lavelle’s Bread and I have great memories also on the GAA pitch and have made great friends here down through the years. Islandeady is steeped in sport and great sports people came from this area, including Ray Moylette the boxer and so many GAA players. We are looking to extend the Greenway from Castlebar to Bilberry and that is going to happen in the near future.”
Praising the presentation, Cllr Donna Sheridan said: “You have identified the work you want done which is a great starting point for us to work from and we will support in any way we can.”
Cllr Cyril Burke stated: “You have done great work on this project already and it clearly didn’t happen overnight, but through lots of graft. This is a fantastic initiative, we don’t get huge funding as councillors but will help as we can and also with lobbying national politicians and government; so you are pushing an open door as it makes sense a community centre would be built on that site.”
Cllr Al McDonnell said: “This is an extraordinary and ambitious programme, we won’t do everything in a year so you may need to identify with the committee what the priorities are. It’s a fine active community and we pledge as much support as possible.”
He and fellow councillors also paid tribute to former councillors in the area, Enda Kenny, former Taoiseach and Castlebar councillor, who he said made a huge contribution to Islandeady, and also Eugene McCormack - as well as Sr Maureen Lally, who was congratulated for a lifetime of dedicated community service.
Cllr Ger Deere said he had a huge interest in Islandeady and was involved in the cycling club there. He added: “You have unreal potential here, from Lough Lannagh to Bilberry. You are a great community and we are 100% behind you.”
Chairman Cllr Martin McLoughlin extended thanks to all involved in preparing the presentation and also “to the GAA for being the heart of the community.”
