The community within the parish of Kilshannig in North Cork is this week celebrating the completion of a major refurbishment to their community centre.
The newly refurbished hall which was officially re-opened by Ms. Valerie Murphy, CEO, Avondhu Blackwater Partnership consists of a new reception area, large community hall and stage area, meeting rooms, kitchen and toilets facilities.
Local Independent Councillor, John Paul O’ Shea who was a guest speaker at the opening said “The centre has undergone a huge transformation in the past 12 months resulting in an investment of just over €200,000 in the facility. I want to commend the committee involved in this project for taking such a task on and in such difficult economic times. This shows the enormity of good will in the parish and support for the community centre. The centre is a hive of activity daily and I am delighted it will continue to be so into the future”.
The project was funded by Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, Cork County Council and the local community with the financial guidance and support from the Social Community Finance Agency, Clann Credo.
Micheál Casey, Chairperson of the Kilshannig Community Centre Development Association which was the voluntary group leading this innovative project said “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Avondhu Blackwater Partnership and in particular Niall Walshe, Development Officer with Avondhu Blackwater Partnership for his dedication and patience with us in developing and bringing this project to a conclusion. We would never be able to do such a refurbishment without their financial assistance which we are very grateful for. I would also like to pay tribute to the officers within Kilshannig Community Centre Development Association, Ronnie Dunne, Der Cronin, John K. Sheehan and the wider committee for taking on such a huge project and for being so proactive. I would also like to thank Cork County Council for their financial contribution towards the refurbishment”.
Ronnie Dunne, Secretary of Kilshannig Community Centre Committee said “The completion of this refurbishment is a great achievement for the parish of Kilshannig and in particular for the villages of Glantane and Lombardstown who use the centre practically on a daily basis. The parish like many other parishes throughout the county has grown considerably in recent years with a significant number of young families choosing to live in the area. The Centre which has a long association with in excess of 20 active community and voluntary groups will all benefit greatly from this refurbishment with new and enhanced facilities now at their disposal”.
The Kilshannig Community Development Association also re-named one of its meeting rooms “The John K. Sheehan Meeting Room” on the night in honour of the dedication and commitment committee member John K. Sheehan has given to the Centre over the last 40 years. John K, who is a native of Kilshannig has given a lifetime of his time voluntary, all for his local community centre. He was pleasantly surprised on the night to have the meeting room dedicated in his honour surrounded by his family and friends.
Valerie Murphy, CEO of Avondhu Blackwater Parnership official re-opening Kilshannig Community Centre. Also included is committee members John K. Sheehan, Roni Dunne, Micheál Casey, Der Cronin & Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea
John K. Sheehan with his family following the re-naming of the meeting room in Kilshannig Community Centre as the “John K Sheehan Meeting Room”.
