It is remarkable the positive impact a simple building and restoration project can have on community life. In 2011, the citizens of Kilmuckridge undertook the renovation of a local hall that had been built some five decades previously by the Kilmuckridge Memorial Hall Society.
The small coastal Wexford town of some 2000 people lacked the physical amenities, and as such, community activity lacked a focal point and a space in which to locate. This is despite the fact that the town population can often swell to four times normal size during tourist season.
Rather than build anew, the enterprising residents of Kilmuckridge opted to maximise use of existing resources, and thus, restoration project was born.
The impact was immediate, with an ageing hall transformed into a vibrant hub of modern community life that is now in daily use. At its heart is a thriving community café and the centre is also home to a local drama group, the Kilmuckridge Festival Committee and a Family Resource Centre. It also hosts a Girl Guides group, an Age Action group, Circle of Friends, dance and fitness classes and numerous other local initiatives that now enjoy the space in which to flourish.
The project was supported by Clann Credo due to its high social dividend - in terms of local services and job creation - and its role in facilitating the ongoing growth of local initiatives and enterprise.
Location: Kilmuckridge Memorial Hall, Kilmuckridge, Gorey, Co. Wexford