Creagh Community Council

Four local people met in Staunton’s Lounge to discuss the revitalisation of the Creagh Community Council, which had become defunct after many years of great work in the advancement of community interest In late October 1997.

Sadly, founding members Louis Finn, Paddy Manton and Kieren Shields have passed away while the fourth person John Molloy, remains active in the committee as chairperson of Creagh Community Development Committee.
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70 people attended the inaugural meeting on the 17th of Nov 1997 in the John O Shea Hall which elected a committee and drafted a new Constitution – approved in 1998.

A constitution was drawn up by board members and elected members of the council and the constitution pushes to initiate, support, encourage and monitor the development of the area and represent the community in dealing with statutory bodies and all other agencies in the promotion of common good, promoting the cultural and economic welfare of the whole community and to hold in trust community assets that the council may acquire and to visit agencies in the development of Creagh.

Mindful of it’s objectives – it was one of the founding partners in the establishing the Ballinasloe Area Community Development in 1999 and contributed a sizeable capital grant to secure the purchase of the old St. Endas Hospital complex and providing a nominated Director every year since.

In past years the restoration of five graveyards in Creagh Cemetery in 2013/14 was a huge undertaking by committee member John Molloy and P.J Lenehan, and loyal fellow workers. The CCDC had seen the poor conditions that the cemetery had been placed in and was determined to restore it.

The work involved in the erection of 53 fallen headstones, the restoration of 104 subsided graves and the removal of ivy from 18 headstones. The north and south graveyards were very overgrown while St. Bridgid's hospital graveyard which had closed in 1963 had fallen into disrepair and required a lot of work. The committee had decided to place a crucifix at the east wall of the main graveyard. A very informative Heritage Display Unit, containing a short history of each graveyard, was located at the entrance gate so that visitors could more easily find graves of their loved ones.

The cemetery had been maintained since 2013 by John Molloy, PJ Lenehan and Owen Flynn, a project that demands many hours of dedicated service. The monetary contribution by the people of the parish to the annual cemetery collection in later years is vital to ensuring the proper maintenance of Creagh Cemetery since 2013.

Creagh Paths Project that had been pushed for five years is finalising to fruition when Creagh Council were successful in their application for €100,000 available through the Town & Village Renewal Scheme in 2019. To qualify for the grant,  the Community Council were more than obliged to contribute to the scheme in which they paid €12,500 which was matched by Roscommon County Council.

The Council’s representations to Roscommon and Galway County Councils have resulted in the recent installation of desperately needed footpaths and lighting and have gotten in Anthony Cunnane Builders Ltd for the job. Creagh Community Development Council and Roscommon County Council are paying for the sections that stretch from Dubarry – Dolans Centra – Ardcarn Roundabout by the Shannonbridge Road and Galway County Council have financed the rest. These footpaths and lighting have contributed immensely to a safe walkway for walkers, joggers, pushchair and wheelchair users.

The Community Council have pledged that they will continue to ensure that footpaths will be cleared of litter and debris, especially of fallen leaves .in the autumn.

Chairman John Molloy acknowledges their close co – operation with all public representatives “ Our Community Council gives their special thanks to Ex-Senator Maura Hopkins and the teams at  Roscommon County and County Galway tand her local Secretary Alan Harney who were instrumental in delivering this project “, states John.

Despite strong representations to HSE and local politicians over the past 10 years regarding the rapid deterioration of St. Bridgid’s hospital, no substantial progress has been made to date.

Creagh Council has advocated the removal of all the additional buildings to the original building; then the impressive front building and the New Building at the northern end of the Compound and the accompanying ground should be put up for sale as one entity. Likewise, the site of the delipidated  Nurses Home and attached lands could form a separate sales unit.

CCDC has envisaged it becoming a gated compound comprising of a village concept that would include many different facilities. They believed it would be an attractive prospect to retired people as is the case in England, America, and Australia. Sadly, there appears to be little interest in HSE West becoming actively involved in progressing matters.

They hope to kick off a new project in Spring in which they will push to repair a section of the Bog Walk between Dubarry Factory and Attycorry. This is a beautiful facility all the year round but one small section needs attention , the Council also will make other necessary repairs to the Walk.

The Development Council will clean the Suck Bridge walls which have been reported as an eyesore by the public. The C.C.D.C. is confident that the completion of the footpath and adding lighting to Beagh roundabout will happen in 2021 and Creagh Council is in a good position to be able to contribute to the refurbishment of Beagh roundabout.

As with most voluntary organisations, the committee needs an infusion of younger people who are willing to give of their time to improving their community environment. Creagh’s Council’s policy of keeping Creagh clean and green requires constant attention, something that only can be achieved by the support of every household in the community. Together, the community can succeed.
Chair can be contacted via email john_molloy44@hotmail.com