Every Resident Invited to Attend CarrigalineCommunity Association AGM on May 11th

Writes Leo McMahon

If you’re a resident of Carrigaline and interested in and concerned about your community, then make a point of attending the annual general meeting of Carrigaline Community Association on Monday, May 11^th at 8pm in the Community Complex.

‘Everyone from the fast expanding South Cork capital is warmly invited,’ says chairperson Michael Wall, ‘where they can have a say about their own place, estate and town. The Association is there for the benefit of the all of the 20,000 plus population of the Carrigaline area but we also need hall users of the complex to get more involved.’

It’s also an opportunity to find out about the many activities and services on offer at the impressive complex which was officially opened 40 years ago by then President of Ireland, Patrick Hillery.

Carrigaline Community Association is the umbrella body for these and long serving office administrator Anne Garvin said the complex, which has excellent facilities for all, is almost fully booked.

Michael Wall, chairperson of the Community Association and Anne Garvin, office administrator at Carrigaline Community Complex which opened 40 years ago - photo Leo McMahon

‘The complex is open seven days a week from 8am to 10pm. Just some of the groups using it are Carrigaline Youth Heron, (Foroige) with its own room for youth plus office; Carrigaline Parishes Project (Community Employment Scheme), First Steps Pre-School, Polo Parent and Toddler Group, Carrigaline Active Retired, Carrigaline Indoor Bowls, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Irish Girl Guides, Carrigaline Tae Kwon Do, Carrigaline Basketball Club, the Baptist Church, dance, study (maths), art and crafts, physio/fitness yoga and well-being groups.

In addition, voluntary sub-committees of the Association are Carrigaline Tidy Towns, Town Twinning, Bowls Club, Musical Society, Community Theatre and Planning and Environment.  It also has a full time officer (plus caretakers) for the Parishes Project and the Foroige Youth Heron Project under Community Employment Schemes. The centre is self-funding at very competitive rates through its users while ongoing upkeep and annual improvements, mostly done by local contractors, are also made possible thanks to the support of Cork County Council, SECAD and the Government’s Community Fund. In tip-top condition, improvements to the centre are carried out annually, mostly in August when several organisations take a summer break, said Anne.

The centre is available for public meetings (e.g. Carrigaline Garda Forum on April 30th) and rooms can be hired (mostly free) for smaller meetings of clubs, residents’ associations and other organisations. Enquiries are always welcome at 021-4371110, email: info@carrigaline.ie.  The upgraded website www.carrigaline.ie is also well worth viewing. 

Many exciting changes are planned but there are also challenges for Carrigaline in the near future that will impact on all the community, so now is the time to have an input and support the community association, said Michael. New faces are most welcome, especially at the agm.

Outgoing directors of Carrigaline Community Association are Michael Wall, chairperson; Evelyn Egar, secretary; Tony O’Reilly, treasurer; Noreen Lawlor, Edward McCarthy, Jonny Grant, Liz Hesse-O’Sullivan, Eileen Lambe, Betty O’Riordan, Seamus McGrath TD, Martin Parfrey, Thomas Maye and Sean Gilley, the latter of whom is involved in the organsing an evening of one-act plays, from April 23^rd to 25^th at St Mary’s National School. It’s the first presentation by Carrigaline Community Theatre.