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This article was first published on December 6th, 2007.
[At 7.00pm on Monday, November 26th, '07] A CAPACITY crowd spilled into the Iontas Centre in Castleblayney for the second annual Community Leadership Awards, celebrating the community and voluntary sector in County Monaghan.
The awards are a joint venture between County Monaghan Partnership and Cavan Monaghan Rural Development (LEADER). Before the ceremony got underway a group of young dancers from the Karen McMahon School of Dancing wowed the crowd with their technical ability.
He re-iterated that the work these groups do is now more important than ever, as Ireland’s new found affluence is bringing a new range of social problems to the fore. He concluded by saying that it is the task of local developmental associations to support the efforts in this sector, as they help build fair and sustainable communities.
The Local Development judging panel were: Bríd Lenihan, Monaghan Community Network; Gerard Callan, County Monaghan Partnership and Marianne McEneaney, Cavan Monaghan Rural Development. The Social Inclusion judging panel were: Bernie O’Rourke, Community and Enterprise — Monaghan County Council; Regina Tinnelly, County Monaghan Partnership and Charlotte McKeown, Cavan Monaghan Rural Development.
“I congratulate each and every nominated group and volunteer, being nominated is a reflection of the high esteem in which you, or your group, is held and the good work and positive change that you are engineering in your communities is appreciated,” she concluded. Fr. Aidan Troy was the guest speaker at the event, his was one of iconic images for good during the Troubles. The began by expressing his delight at the appointment of Cardinal Sean Brady, as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
The Priest told the gathering that he takes great satisfaction in seeing little acts done well, as these have the power to change communities. Nowhere is that fact more evident than in North Belfast. he re-iterated, that if it were not for these acts of benevolence, Northern Ireland would not have made the progress it has. He used the example of the Northern Assembly to reinforce this point and was awe-struck by the sight of First Minister of the Northern Assembly, Rev. Ian Paisley, Second Minister Martin McGuinness, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Prime Minister Tony Blair sitting together on May 8th 2007 in Stormont. “Even if you weren’t drawn to any of their views, you had to say that in some sense, community was beginning to happen,” he said.
“When I went to Belfast in July 2001, I inherited an already existing very sad and dangerous situation at Holy Cross School. “For the previous few weeks at the end of term, those children couldn’t go to school in the normal way. The solution to that situation lay in the building of trust and that is one of the hardest things to build in a community,” the Priest observed. Fr. Aidan said that he learned all he ever needed to know about trust from the children at Holy Cross School. He walked 225 little girls to school amid impassioned protests, everyday for three months. He said that the protest continuing protests made him feel like a failure, as he was Chairperson of the Board of Governors and the children were not allowed to go school in peace.
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS Knockatallon Development Association was honoured with the gong, Tourism Group of the Year. The group consists of 14 directors and 10 additional committee members. Their main project has resulted in a number of vital facilities being put in place including accommodation, meeting and training facilities, a function room, bar, restaurant and a doctor’s surgery. This group have been involved in providing invaluable services such as community based Failte Ireland training, a tidy towns’ sub-committee, an after schools club and a walking club who have been involved in establishing four way-marked walks. They have also lobbied the local council on issues such as housing, roads and forestry.
They opened the first Community Enterprise Centre in County Monaghan. They are involved in the delivery of SME training which enhances local businesses and results in greater sustainability. The group also built an advanced food factory in 1999 which was leased out and currently employs 90 people. In total, employment generated by activities and facilities put in place by this group exceeds 140 people. Tydavnet Tidy Towns scooped the Environmental Group of the Year. The group has 10 members who work in conjunction with the local school and businesses. They organise spring and autumn clean ups, the planting of trees, shrubs, the development of flowerbeds and hanging baskets. The numerous awards which this group have won to date speak volumes as to the level of work they undertake and the results of this work. St. Michael’s Regional Community Development, Donaghmoyne won Heritage Group of the Year. The nine member committee was set up to save a Church which had closed in the 1960’s. They secured council funding to clean up the cemetery surrounding the Church, with the assistance of locals and FAS workers. They cleared the overgrowth, cleaned and sanded old tombstones, rebuilt broken vaults and erected seating and information plaques.
The committee have also been involved in the restoration of St. Michael’s Church in the area which is now used as a community centre. When restoring the building the group invited members of the community to place an envelope containing their family details into the vault thus ensuring a taste of today’s heritage is maintained for the future. Truagh Development Association were the winners of the Community Development Group of the Year. This Community Development Organisation acts as an umbrella group for all other groups in the area. It’s main focus being on peace building with their neighbours across the border in Aughnacloy. At present the group have a daily bus collection service to bring locals to and from Monaghan. Broadband has been installed and as well as life long learning centres in the area. The group are also involved in a Community Conservation Programme – the Sliabh Beagh Project. SOCIAL INCLUSION AWARDS
The winner of the New Communities Award for 2007 are the Lithuanian Community of Monaghan. They came together in 2006 to discuss how they could support Lithuanian families residing or coming to live in Monaghan. The group also wanted to establish a local Lithuanian School that could allow the young children to learn about their own cultures and traditions. The group has established a school which now has 140 students aged from 5-17. The group was formally launched in January of this year by the Lithuanian Ambassador to Ireland. They have become very involved in the local community events through participation in the St Patrick’s Day Parade. Dochas for Women are Women’s Group of the Year. The overall aim of the group is to allow women from whatever background to be allowed to shape their own future through personal development, assertiveness, counselling and much more. They have currently over 300 members from all sections of the local community. They have also been central to establishing both a travellers and lone parents group in Monaghan. Castleblayney Social Services won the Older People Award. The group are involved in many different activities including meals on wheels, social evenings, computer classes, art classes and dance classes. They held a hugely successful art exhibition and were instrumental in the supply of 120 personal security alarms for older people. VOLUNTEER AWARDS
Ms. Mary C. Keenan won Volunteer of the Year 2007. She has been volunteered with the Day Care Centre there for the past 14 years. This lady has responsibility for making appointments for the clients of the day care centre for services such as the hairdresser and chiropodist. She also helps with preparation and serving of meals and is always available with a helping hand. The evening of celebration concluded with refreshments in the foyer.
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Damien O’Reilly was compere for the evening. He now works for the national broadcaster in the agricultural department, but cut his teeth on home ground with Shannonside Northern Sound.
Gabriel O’Connell, Manager of Monaghan Partnership explained where the concept of the awards came from, a piece of joint research called “People Power”. One of the key recommendations of this research was the staging of an event that would recognise the efforts of community and voluntary groups at a governmental, developmental and local level. Mr. O’Connell congratulated all the nominees and told those who walked away on this occasion without an award, not to get disheartened as their time will come.
Marianne McEneaney, Acting Joint Manager of Cavan Monaghan Rural Development explained the structure of the awards. They were divided into three categories, including a new volunteer category.
The Voluntary category judging panel were: Emma Quinn, Monaghan Volunteer Bureau; Olive Bolger, Blayney Blades and Fiona Hoey, Drumlin CDP.
He congratulated the dancers who opened the awards ceremony and imparted a very amusing story about his own short-lived Irish dancing career, which was tragically cut short when his dance teacher told him that he had lovely legs! Fr. Troy also had the distinction of officiating Lord of the Dance, Michael Flatley’s wedding.
When Fr. Troy came to Northern Ireland, he had just spent eight years in Rome, so Belfast was quite a shock to the system.
“Each day that I walked with those children, I saw something of the magnificence of innocence.... on the 23rd of November, when the protest was suspended, there wasn’t one trace of bitterness in any of those children,” he said.
Castleblayney Community Enterprise received the Community Enterprise Group of the Year 2007. The group are celebrating their 20th year in existence this year. They have achieved their core aims of providing economic, social, educational and cultural amenities and activities for the people in the local area.
An archeological dig found remains of an old church dating back to the 12th century. Today the Committee along with the Council keep the cemetery maintained and as a result keeps this important piece of history for future generations.
Solas Drop-In Centre received the award for Disability Group of the Year. Their service supports people who are feeling isolated, lonely or depressed in County Monaghan. They place a great emphasis on identifying the needs of individuals seeking help and empowering them to positive mental health. They also provide a very strong linkage between the Community and Statutory sector.
Ms Grace Igiraneza winner of the Best New Volunteer award for 2007. She originally hails from Rwanda and has made a great impact on community life in Monaghan. She is currently Chairperson of Monaghan Multicultural Women’s Group. This group successfully arranged a Cultural Fun Day on 29th September. She is also a very active volunteer in the Age Action thrift shop in Monaghan and she is currently completing a FETAC Level 6 in Leadership & Community Development.
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