In the late 1970s community activists in Askamore purchased an old school for the considerable sum of £100,000 - all of it collected through local fundraising.
The premises was redeveloped as a Community Centre and is held in trust for the community, in perpetuity.
Some four decades later, the Centre remains the only community facility in the parish of Askamore, Co. Wexford, which is made up of some 500 households. Not surprisingly, the Centre caters for a huge diversity of local groupings, from the 100-strong Squash Club, the Badminton Club, Macra na Feirme, Foróige, Askamore Vintage Club, Card Players, the Community Alert Group and the Community Development Association.
It boasts a large sports hall, two squash courts facilities for other indoor sports and a bar area which is leased out to a publican.
In recent years, the Community Development Association oversaw the addition of a childcare centre, which employs 10 people and caters for some 40 children.
Not content to sit on their laurels, the Association then turned their attention to the development of a new IT centre to allow people upgrade their technical skills.
The Association approached Clann Credo for assistance with short-term funding.
An assessment of their proposal showed that it would make a major contribution to the community, with people receiving training on Internet usage and specific services such as Skype.
Not only would this augment local skills but it would also serve to mitigate loneliness among older and more isolated members of the community.
Location: Askamore, Co. Wexford
Website:
http://askamorecommunity.wordpress.com/