An Taoiseach Enda Kenny is in Quiet Man country today (Friday ) to unveil the foundation stone on a dream €800,000 community facility that has been decades in the making.
Between castles, Hollywood history, and ancient abbeys, tourism beauty spot Cong has plenty to offer visitors but it has never had a community centre for its own people.
“We have been missing the heart of our community,” said Dympna O’Grady, secretary of Cong Community Centre Ltd.
“Cong is one of the most beautiful tourism spots but we’ve never had a centre for our people, for the young, the elderly, community groups, and events.”
She said Cong Community Centre Ltd was formed six years ago to make a final push and bring the community centre project to fruition. However other groups and people in the community had been working for decades to get the project off the ground.
The new centre provides a multi-purpose facility with a function hall and a heritage quarter to promote the historical sites in the village.
“We are absolutely delighted,” added Ms O’Grady. “The project looks set to be finished in August.”
Some €500,000 in LEADER funding was granted through South West Mayo Development Company with an additional €100,000 coming from Mayo County Council. The community are fundraising the balance of €200,000.
The entire community, young and old, has come together to help out hit the hefty fundraising target.
“One of our youth groups, the Congolians, all aged between 10 and 13, even held a bake sale and raised €725, all of which they handed over for the centre,” said Ms O’Grady.
Mr Kenny will be in Cong at 2.30pm this afternoon.
