Double celebration

YOUNG AND OLD Brendan Smith, TD, Minister for Children, officially opening the new Coillte Childcare Centre in Kiltimagh on Saturday. Pics: Keith Heneghan/Phocus

Kiltimagh’s double celebration

Michael Commins

KILTIMAGH’S brand new parish centre and Coillte Childcare Centre were officially opened at a ceremony in the town on Saturday afternoon. Bishop Thomas Flynn, in perhaps his last official duty as Bishop of Achonry, presided at the opening of the parish centre ,while the Cavan TD, Mr Brendan Smith, Minister for Children, did the honours at the childcare centre, both of which are located together.
Fr Paddy Kilcoyne, PP, recalled how he was approached by Maura Malee and some others back in 2003 with a view to the need for the provision of a childcare facility somewhere in the town. There was a garden attached to the parochial house at the back which had become largely overgrown and derelict. He suggested that this site may be sufficient to host both a parish centre and a childcare centre. Bishop Flynn gave ready approval to the idea and the venture moved ahead from there.
Minister Brendan Smith said he was delighted to be in Kiltimagh and was especially pleased to meet Pat(ricia) Lavin from Greyfield, a former neighbour of his own back in Cavan.
He told the gathering that the community childcare facility received capital funding of €452,000 from the Government. When fully operational, it will have the capacity to provide full-day, sessional, and after-school childcare places for 85 local children of various ages.
Senator John Carty, who received special plaudits from the committee for his role in securing funding for the project, said he was delighted to have been of assistance to the people of the Kiltimagh region. He thanked Jerome Tarpey and Tarpey Construction on the completion of another fine job.
Deputy John O’Mahony congratulated all associated with the venture. “We must continue to champion the cause of rural Ireland. There have been so many things closing in recent weeks and months. I am very passionate about supporting communities and the work they do.”
He paid tribute to Bishop Flynn on his retirement and said that he had won his first ever football medal under the guidance of the Bishop. He also congratulated Fr Paddy Kilcoyne on being honoured with the Kiltimagh Person of the Year award.
Maura Malee recalled the background to the Coillte Childcare Centre venture and the setting out of a vision in 2003 to establish a high-quality community childcare facility in Kiltimagh which would offer affordable childcare and an after-school service to children.
“We greatly acknowledge the generous support of Fr Paddy Kilcoyne and St Nathy’s Diocesan Trust who offered us this site. Obtaining a site for this facility was, truly, the catalyst for its development; without this support our vision would not have been realised.
“We would like to acknowledge the Government funding under the equal opportunities childcare programme and we would like to pay our deepest gratitude to Senator John Carty for his continued support to us throughout the project.”
Maura had words of thanks for the representatives of different agencies and organisations, including Laura McNally from Early Childcare Services, Catherine Lavin and Jenny Barnard, Majella Gibbons, Jim Power and Angela Cope of Mayo County Childcare committee, Stephen Grogan and IRD Kiltimagh, and Anusha Rajendra and staff in Popal.
There was further thanks for Tommy Gallagher, Kevin Reilly, Tom Costello and Brian Commons for all their hard work, Charlie Gilmartin (solicitor) who gave his services free of charge, the architects John Halligan and associates for their skilful design, and Tarpey Construction and sub-contractors for their fine work.
“The organisation has a long history of voluntary dedication it has been operating a childcare service since 1984. Mrs Helen Tarpey had the first playschool in the area. She kindly donated her equipment to the first community playschool.
“ A special mention to Danny Doherty and the past and present community centre committee who always supported and helped out the playgroup over the years.
“To the current staff, thanks for the hard work, faith, encouragement and support since August in getting the building to its present state. They are Mary Ivers, Mary Mulderrig, Bridie Clendon, Anne-Marie Gallagher, Deborah Lennon, Louise Cunnane, Grace Ivers, Ann Creaby and Pauline McGovern, and all the past staff, Bridie Wimsey Margaret Freeman, Ciss Higgins, Phyllis Clabby, and Cathy Nicholls who have provided an excellent service over the years.
“I would like to thank all the members of the development committee for their hard work since 2003, especially Mary Nyland, Tracy Shannon-Byrne, Todd O’Mahoney, Nancy Lavin and Fr Paddy Kilcoyne,” concluded Maura Malee.
On behalf of Tarpey Construction, Kathleen Tarpey thanked all associated with the project. “They were lovely people to work with, always smiling and positive,” she said as she made a small presentation to Maura Malee and Mary Nyland in appreciation of their major roles in guiding the venture to this day.
Two of the local children, Mary Malee and David Nyland, were delighted to preside at the presentation of framed photographs to Bishop Flynn and Minister Brendan Smith.