Community loan for Cîteaux Hall

The origins of Cîteaux Hall can be traced to the year 1908, in medieval France, and in the foundation of the Cistercian Order in the country’s northeast.  One of the first acts undertaken by the new order was the establishment of Cîteaux Abbey, the ‘mother house’ for all Cistercians.

 

The ‘grey monks’ - or na manaigh liath as they were known - arrived on Irish shores in 1142, to found Mellifont Abbey in Louth.

 

It was to be another 700 years - 1878 - before Mount St Joseph Abbey in Offaly was established and, with it, the original Cîteaux Hall. The premises was attached to the Abbey and housed the order’s creamery, until its closure in 1940.

It would not lie vacant for too long.

 

Seeing the potential of the premises, enterprising local groups agreed a long-term lease with the Cistercians, which resulted in its formal re-opening as a wholly new community centre, in 1948.

 

Cîteaux Hall sits on the Tipperary/Offaly border between the villages of Ballyskenagh and Shinrone, the latter town immortalised in song by Shane McGowan, whose family hails from the area.

 

Over the intervening years, the hall has become enmeshed in the fabric of the locality, serving as a crucial resource and a focal point for all conceivable forms of community activity.

 

It is utilised on an ongoing basis by drama groups, social services, religious organisations, active retirement groups and a wide range of local sporting bodies, encompassing GAA, camogie, athletics and badminton.

 

In that context, it is hardly surprising that the old structure requires attention and the upgrade works, to ensure it can continue in its vital role for many years to come.

 

The most recent works were funded by the Rural Development Programme (LEADER) in a cross-county initiative between Offaly Local Development Company and North Tipperary Development Company. The LEADER grant funded 75% of the works which included repairs to the roof, installation and repair of windows, a new stage and upgraded facilities for disabled access. Clann Credo provided a bridging loan that enabled works to be paid for before drawing down the grant.

 

As a result, Cîteaux Hall is now well placed to serve the community for many years to come.