FROM THE PARISH DEVELOPMENT STEERING COMMITTEE

 By Peter Seery (Secretary)

Source : Athenry A.D.C. Publications. Athenry Journal,Vol. 1. (1995)

Parish Development

When the Parish Steering Committee first met on the 30th November last we thought about and debated the issues of parish development that had been tossed around at three parish meetings, organised by Fr. Tony King, P.P., in the previous two months. But our main concern, on that first night, was how to go about the task we had been given of recommending a structure which would prepare an overall parish development plan. We knew that the aim of this plan should be to support existing organisations achieve improvements and developments for the benefit of the community as a whole.

Steering Committee

The twelve members of the Steering Committee are:-

Dermot Monaghan, Bob Zonenblick, Maura Molloy, Florrie O’Shea, Tom Cloonan, Christy Coffey (Treasurer), Jim Flynn, Martin O’Grady, Finbarr O’Regan, Tornmie Quinn (Chairman), Peter Seery (Secretary), Paul Thompson.

Views /Suggestions

At the outset we decided that we would only make recommendations following close consultation with all organisations and interested individuals in the parish .In mid-December last we sent a circular letter seeking views /suggestions from all parish organisations. Thirty one organisations replied to our request. This magnificent response prompted us to send a circular to all the homes in the parish. About 60 homes have sent their views/suggestions which gives a total of over 90 replies to date from organisations or homes in the parish.

It is difficult to summarise in a few words, all of the ideas/suggestions we have received. Overall the responses received convey a great interest in and a wealth of good ideas and suggestions for parish development.

What’s happening in other places?

 In the early stages of our deliberations the Steering Committee decided also that it should investigate successful parish developments in other parts of the country. Some members of the Steering Committee went to Glenamaddy to hear of the successful community development there. Most of the Steering Committee spent a day in Kiltimagh seeing and hearing about its extraordinary achievements over the last five years. Incidentally, while Kiltimagh town is about the same size as Athenry town the parish is much smaller. We have also studied reports and plans prepared by other parishes and local communities.

Professional Manager

A key feature in all of these successful parish community areas is that each of them employed or are planning to put in place a professional person(s) to manage their parish development. They are convinced of the merit of the parish making a financial investment for this purpose. They have, or want to have, a system in their parish where a manager is available on a full time basis to thoroughly investigate “good ideas” and organise the best way to follow through and carry out plans and projects.

Development Plan

This kind of new thinking has influenced the Steering Committee to think along the same lines for Athenry Parish. In preparation for this, and before reaching a final conclusion, we in the Steering Committee have decided a few weeks ago to also prepare a development plan for the parish.

Overall Parish Plan

We realise that preparing the plan is not going to be an easy task and we don’t expect to get it exactly right first time round. Nevertheless we are enthusiastic about undertaking this task. We have been stimulated by all the very good ideas and suggestions given to us.

We recognise in the Steering Committee that the people of the parish have a great sense of identity and support for all the activities in the parish and take great pride in parish achievements.

Notable Achievements

Some notable achievements in recent years include the provision of improved school facilities at both primary and secondary level, the expansion of the Credit Union, the restoration of Athenry Castle, the successful Annual Medieval Festival, the success of Athenry Hurling teams at all grades, the achievement of Heritage Status, the development of the Golf Club and the improved rating of Athenry in the Tidy Towns competition etc.

Associations and Voluntary Groups

We recognise too that the people of the parish have a genuine good will and wish to see prosperous business development and expansion, be that in agricultural or non agricultural areas. Many people in the parish actively participate in associations/or organisations to foster improvements in these areas.

We are also conscious of the many people in the parish who are actively involved through voluntary groups in meeting needs and providing facilities and services for the youth, the elderly and the more marginalised in the parish.

 Recommendations

However the clear message and task conveyed to the Steering Committee last November was to bring forward recommendations for a parish structure which will plan to develop the strengths of the parish as a whole. The preparation of this development plan, which we now have in hand, is about how this should be achieved.