Two Mayo community groups work on heritage projects

The Sheridan Memorial Community Centre and the Bohola Community Park have begun work on installing plant pollinator friendly bulbs.

This comes as both groups were successful in their applications for The Heritage Council grants.

The aim of this project is to encourage biodiversity and to add some colour for passers-by to enjoy throughout the village, whether they are walking or driving.

_{Both Thola Ladybirds, Brownies and Guides with leaders and parents planting bulbs and trees at the Durkan Bohola Community Park}

Fortunately both committees were successful in their individual applications and shortly after 

In true Meitheal spirit, both committees worked together with members of the local community and the local unit of the Irish Girl Guides. The Girl Guides have been a firm fixture in Bohola for over ten years, with numbers of girls increasing each year. 

As part of their programme, each branch of the Girl Guides (Ladybirds, Brownies and Guides) have a requirement of working with the local community and also, developing their green fingers.

A plan was put in place to work together to prepare the best area around the Sheridan Memorial Community Centre and the grounds of the Durkan Bohola Community Park.

There were events organised as part of Heritage Week at the Community Centre and at the Community Park, which were both very well attended by the local community. 

They gave people an opportunity to see what work was going to take place and how this work would benefit the community and the environment.

With funds received from The Heritage Council, both committees were able to purchase pollinator friendly daffodil, bluebell, crocus and snowdrop bulbs as well as some oak trees and the essential equipment for assisting with planting. 

In September, the Bohola unit of the Irish Girl Guides along with their parents and leaders planted the bulbs around the grounds of both the community centre and community park. 

The girls learnt a lot about the various types of soil and how to plant the different types of bulbs. 

They were also able to bring some leftover daffodil bulbs home with them to plant and watch grow around their homes. 

Martina Burke Lavin, on behalf of the Irish Girl Guides, Sheridan Memorial Community Centre and the Durkan Bohola Community Park, commented: “A huge thank you to The Heritage Council for providing the funds to both the Sheridan Memorial Community Centre and the Durkan Bohola Community Centre which allowed us to buy the bulbs and equipment needed. 

“The project will benefit not just us, but also the future generations who come to visit our Centre, Park and Village. Thank you,” she concluded.