Clontuskert Community Development Group Formed

Joe Molloy

The Clontuskert Community Development Group was formed by a group of 13 Clontuskert locals at the back end of last year. The group was formed with the aim to support the community to develop in ways that benefit the people and reflect the values and needs of the whole community.

Chairperson Maria Brennan outlined their focus  “Our three main objectives are to determine what matters most to members of the community, involve everyone in the consultation process. Use the ideas and aspirations from our community consultation as the foundation for future community projects”, states Maria.

People's Consultation

“A Development group in any area is a key driver of engaging people on the ground. Listening to people’s ideas, needs, and values and this leads to people being involved in their areas development and influencing what happens in their community,” she added.

Their first Public Meeting/ Community Consultation with people from the area took place recently in the Ballinasloe Rugby Club’s Pavillion. The children from Clontuskert NS all created art pieces for their ‘Clontuskert Idea’ and these Playgrounds, parks, tracks and pitches were on display on the walls.

The meeting was well attended with over 50 people gathered. Speakers on the night included stalwarts of past and present community development with Patsy Cormican (Sports Field Development) and Joe Molloy (Clontuskert Heritage) reminding the audience what has been achieved and how, though not without effort it has withstood the test of time.

Then it was the people’s turn to have their say and everyone was assigned a topic and given time to get their ideas onto paper. The discussions and feedback which followed were enthusiastic and energetic with all participants getting to express their views for the benefit of the area.

Catherine Motherway, the final speaker said as they look forward, to remember the importance of environment, sustainability and of sharing the work out between people. She complimented the children’s art and input saying they had remembered these points very well.

At the end of the night, Maria Brennan thanked all who had helped bring the night to fruition and the people who had come and participated. Far from being the end, however, she said this is the beginning of them carving out our future together. In April, the group will finalise a plan in areas of priority in consultation with the wider community.

For more updates see their Facebook page Clontuskert Community Development Group.