Twenty six community groups receive MD funding

Grants for 26 community groups in the Ballyjamesduff MD were approved at last Thursday’s (April 10) monthly meeting. The largest amount was granted to St Kilian’s Heritage Centre in Mullagh, awarded €12,000 towards the future development of the centre.

Elsewhere Ballinagh Community Trust received €8,000 to purchase stage lighting that will be used during events.

Next on the list was Munterconnacht Heritage Society, which got an allocation of €7,000.

The remaining grants were divided in sums ranging from €3,000 to €6000.

Thanks and praise

Senior Executive Officer at Cavan County Council, John Donohoe, and his team came in for much praise at the meeting, with Cllr Shane P. O’Reilly (II) the first to lead a chorus of thanks. He said the funding covered the “four corners” of the area with “no one left out”.

Fine Gael’s Winston Bennett also thanked the council staff but also the communities to whom it will go.

His party colleague, Cllr T.P. O’Reilly said it is “not an easy job to divide up a pot of money”, lauding how the grants were allocated.

Cllr Trevor Smith said “only for a lot of local voluntary groups a lot of work would not be done.”

Cllr Fianna Fáil’s Philip Brady believes the funding was “spread evenly”, adding that “every bit helps” the local community groups.

Cllr Noel Connell (SF) also welcomed the allocations.

Mr Donohoe though was reluctant to take the praise himself; “I’m only the eye candy.”

He told those gathered that he will “pass on” the councillor’s comments to the council staff.