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The crowd start to assemble for the official opening of Forrest Hall |
It
was a dry cold day in the Square in Mitchelstown last Thursday evening. As
daylight faded, the beautiful Christmas lights lit up the square. There was also
a warm glow in the hearts of the huge crowd assembled there. They were in the square
to witness a Historic event as Mitchelstown Community Council prepared to open
their new Forrest Hall Community Centre
This
was indeed a great achievement for them, and proof of the local community
spirit, that such a project has come to fruition, and the new community centre
stands proudly in this beautiful square in the heart of Mitchelstown in what was
for a long time a disused building.
Mr
Sean Finn Chairman thanked everybody for being there and paid tribute to Councillor
Frank O’ Flynn, who was the first person approached by the Community Council about
the project, Sean said that Frank’s enthusiasm, support and advice throughout
the project was invaluable.
Sean
also paid tribute to Richard Keating, Mary Ryan, James Fogarty, Alan Morgan, and
Barry Owens, Pauline Moriarty and all of the Cork County Council Staff who
collectively came behind them, and encouraged, supported them and who were, to
a person, a pleasure to deal with.
He
also thanked community Garda John Hennessy a great friend of Mitchelstown
Community Council as well as all the County councillors who supported this
worthwhile, local, project.
He
Said ‘Susan Gallagher from Clann Credo was most supportive and obliging in all
of our dealings. Clann Credo is a
Social Investment Fund in Ireland founded by Sr Magdalen Fogarty and the
Presentation Sisters in 1996. Its goal is to make capital available to
community-focused enterprises to promote their growth.’
He
also paid tribute to the main contractor Billy O’Rourke and all his staff from
Fox and O’Rourke, as well as the various sub-contractors who did such a fine
job of work to a very high standard and deserve acknowledgement.
He said
others, such as Dom’s Tiles and Albany Colours, deserve special mention for
their help and generosity, not excluding others who worked on the project.
He
thanked Denis McGrath, their next door neighbour for giving us the use of his
yard over the past eleven months, evidence of a great neighbour to them here,
and he thanked all the neighbours in New Square for their patience during the
project.
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The Christmas lights in New Square in Mitchelstown |
Sean
said ‘A community based project such as this is dependent on the goodwill,
talents and generosity of many volunteers.
We are indebted to our Tús workers especially David O’ Gorman,
supervisor and all involved in the Tús operations. Thank you to Graham
Williams, Kevin Piggott, Jason Skinner, and Brian Murphy who voluntarily painted
the interior and exterior and engaged in other work in Forrest Hall during the
final stages’.
He
added ‘My sincere thanks to my dedicated and diligent fellow Forrest Hall committee
members, namely: Therese Horgan, Garda John Hennessy, Harry Walsh and Ger Brennan
whose stamina and endurance kept the project alive. Thank you to Kayren and Mary who maintained
the Forrest Hall Facebook page during the past year, ensuring that people far and wide were
kept abreast of the developments by regularly uploading photos and news of the
progress’.
He
also thanked the donors; and said ‘this would not have been possible without
you. Every donation made a difference
and we assure you that every cent was and will be put to good use in developing
this amenity’.
Sean Continued saying ‘This venture could
never have got off the ground without Declan Finn, a capable, community
orientated and skilled young engineer/architect. Declan’s vision became a reality; his weekly,
and sometimes daily, visits kept our project on track. His great talent is evident to everyone who
has been in Forrest Hall and his voluntary work for our community will leave a
footprint for many generations to come. (I
have unofficially heard that RTE are head-hunting him to replace Dermot Bannon,
in Room to Improve, but I can’t verify that.) Thank you very much Declan.’
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County Mayor Seamus Mc Grath who officially opened the new Community Centre |
The
Community is already seeing the benefits of the new Community Centre and
Forrest Hall is the new home to Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services under Brian
Williams and staff and Cork ETB under Nuala White and staff also use the
centre. Both organisations will be an
invaluable support to the community especially the young people of Mitchelstown.
The
official blessing by Canon Fitzgerald Canon Tim O’Leary, Fr Gabriel Burke, and Rev Walter Hill then
took place followed by the Official Opening by Mayor, Seamus McGrath who
officially cut the tape and opened Forrest Hall to the public.
The
County Mayor praised the vision and commitment of Mitchelstown and said that it
was a huge day for the town of Mitchelstown and surrounding area. He said that
Cork County Council recognise the great benefits of working with Community
Councils to bring benefit to local communities. He said that he had toured the
building earlier and that it was a credit to them. He said also that the
co-operation and partnership approach was one that Cork Council will definitely
use going forward.
As they
were officially opening the building during 2016, the centenary of the 1916 Easter
Rising, Mitchelstown Community Council unveiled a plaque, designed and
sculptured by local craftsman, JJ O’ Mahony, Limerick Road, to honour the events
of 100 years ago. The plaque was erected and displayed on the front of Forrest
Hall to remind people of the sacrifices made by our forefathers on our behalf.
Councillor Frank O’ Flynn Chairman of Cork County Council’s 1916 anniversary
team unveiled the plaque and read the 1916 Proclamation and the James
Fitzgerald Memorial Mitchelstown Brass and Reed Band played Amhrán na bhFiann
as the Christmas Lights shone brightly in New Square beneath the Galtee
Mountains.