On Friday night January 11th a special event took place in Kilglass Gaels Community Centre. A plaque was unveiled to mark the part-financing of the new GAA centre from the proceeds of sale of an earlier Centre at Ballykilcline, Kilglass. The Ballykilcline Centre had been erected in 1983 by Kilglass Community Development Association.
The Development Association had been formed in 1978 with the objective of community development within the Kilglass area. Following the Association’s formation it had been instrumental in advancing tourism in the area.
Following lobbying of the then Inland Waterways and Midland Tourism boats were moored
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On Friday night January 11th a special event took place in Kilglass Gaels Community Centre. A plaque was unveiled to mark the part-financing of the new GAA centre from the proceeds of sale of an earlier Centre at Ballykilcline, Kilglass. The Ballykilcline Centre had been erected in 1983 by Kilglass Community Development Association.
The Development Association had been formed in 1978 with the objective of community development within the Kilglass area. Following the Association’s formation it had been instrumental in advancing tourism in the area.
Following lobbying of the then Inland Waterways and Midland Tourism boats were moored at Kilglass Lake for use by locals and tourists to enhance use of the area’s premier natural resource. Considerable promotional work was also undertaken with Brochure material of the area circulated. Great efforts were made to enhance local tourism and hence employment opportunities.
Subsequently the Development Association through the appointment of a mapping engineer re-discovered Kilglass Mass Rock at Lagan Hill. The Mass Rock which dated from Penal times was secluded on a high vantage point with visual outposts covering approaches from all directions. The area was cleared of shrubbery and overgrowth. The Mass Rock cleft was exposed. A stone monument was erected and unveiled by the late Bishop of Elphin Dominic Conway in 1979. The Mass Rock has been a place of Annual Pilgrimage for many years since then.
Kilglass Community Development Association next focussed its efforts on erecting a Community Centre as no such hall was available in the area at that time. Funds were raised through harvest festivals, socials, collections, events organised with the Irish community in Birmingham, Mayor and Lady of the Lakes elections and grant-aid. The main fundraising ventures were three bed pushes from Galway, Limerick and Donegal. The bed pushes were organised mainly by young people in their late teens and early twenties. They were great social occasions of the time.
A site for the Community Centre was attained in 1981 and construction commenced in 1982. The Centre was officially opened in 1983. The Development Association continued to run the Centre for many years with concerts, youth discos, games and indoor recreation taking place in the building. Following the establishment of Kilglass Gaels GAA club in the early 1980’s the new club used the facility for indoor training.
The building was held in Trust for Kilglass Community Development Association by four appointed Trustees, James Cox, John James Greene, Kathleen Gaffney and the late Tom Joe Byrne.
In recent years Kilglass Gaels Club decided to erect a new enlarged Community Centre at their club grounds in Knockhall.
The Development Association decided to sell the existing Centre and to use the sale proceeds to enhance the new Centre by part-financing. The Trustees approved this decision. As the original funds had been raised for a Community Centre in Kilglass, it was appropriate that the funds continue to be used for this purpose.
The Development Association were also remaining true to their founding objectives as the sale of the Ballykilcline Centre brought business and employment to the area. The building was purchased by Globe Metalworks Limited. A thriving business now operates in the former Centre designing and building Cast Iron Railings, Outdoor Lighting and School Storage products for sale throughout Ireland and for the export market.
The event on Friday last commenced with a Blessing and prayers for deceased members by Parish Priest, Father Kevin Fallon. The Chairperson of Kilglass Gaels Rosaleen Gallogly then addressed the large crowd with words of appreciation from the club. The Chairman of Kilglass Community Development Association at the time the Community Centre was erected Liam Coyle recounted the history of the Association. John James Greene, on behalf of the Trustees, wished the new Centre every success into the future in serving the community. Those present applauded as the Trustees unveiled the plaque of dedication. It reads ‘This Centre was part-financed from the sale of Kilglass Community Centre Ballykilcline with Appreciation to the Trustees and Members of Kilglass Community Development Association.’
All present were then treated to refreshments by Kilglass Gaels. A video recording from the Bed Push of 1982 was then shown for the first time in over thirty years. Nostalgic reminiscing and stories of youth were recounted well into the night.
Kilglass Community Development Association, having fulfilled its objectives, now ceases to function. The Trustees of the Association, having discharged their obligations to the Trust similarly cease to operate. The historic event in Kilglass concludes a great community endeavour from the 1970’s to the present time.
Roscommon People
25 January 2013
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