DEVELOPING THE PARISH AND AREA OF ATHENRY

Source : Athenry A.D.C. Publications – Athenry Journal. Vol. 2, No. 1. (1996).

Baile Atha ‘n Ri ag fas

A NEW WAY FORWARD

The steering group of Athenry Parish Development Association is pleased to present A NEW WAY FORWARD – the results of many months of consultation with the people of the parish and the area of Athenry about our future. The way forward follows directly from the Framework Development Plan for Athenry parish, launched in December 1995, which calls for “a unified and revitalised approach to social and economic development in the area”.

 Framework Development Plan

We believe that this blueprint for development will set Athenry on course for greater economic and social prosperity. We know that the area has tremendous potential for development. Its greatest asset is its people. With your approval, co-operation and investment, the development plan will become a success story which will make us proud. Our greatest need is to provide a better way of life for ourselves and our children without the pain of emigration and unemployment. With your help we can achieve this, and together we can make A NEW WAY FORWARD

WHAT ARE OUR NEEDS?

• To create jobs for the large number of people seeking work.
• To plan for future employment opportunities to secure a future for our children at home.
• To provide better facilities in our area for families, youth and the elderly.

WE CAN ALL BENEFIT?

HOW CAN WE IMPROVE OUR SITUATION? WHAT CAN WE DO?

We are convinced there is an untapped capacity in our area for further development. The people of the area are our greatest asset. We have a proud tradition of people voluntarily giving freely of their time and effort to help in so many ways.

To realise our potential the Framework Development Plan for Athenry Parish calls for a new system which will directly lead to improving job creation, economic prosperity and the quality of life in our area.

We must encourage and assist people with ideas for development to come forward and form Project Teams of two, three or more people. We want to see a range of Project Development

Project Teams

Teams in the areas of

Agriculture/Farming

Enterprise/Business

Infrastructure/Environment

Pastoral/Social Care      

Heritage/Culture/Tourism

Education/Training

Sport/Recreation

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

We need to do more than this. We need to employ our own Development Manager to

Investigate “good ideas” for new enterprises and community projects.

Assist and advise people to get new businesses and projects established.

Ensure that Athenry maximises EU/Government funding from The County Enterprise Board, Leader II and the State Agencies.

• Generally assist us to achieve our aims and ambitions.

The impact which a fulltime Development Manager can make, in supporting local voluntary effort, is enormous. The results achieved by this approach in other parts of the country are impressive. We are convinced that the Athenry area should do likewise.

HOW DO WE DO IT?

We believe that following the recommendation of the Framework Development Plan for Athenry Parish the formation of a Parish Development Company is the right way forward. The company will be the vehicle to employ a Development Manager who will link with Voluntary Project Teams to

• Respond quickly to assist people with ideas, develop and start up new businesses and projects for the benefit of all in the area.
• Facilitate the development of projects that can further improve the level of social care in our community.
• Identify opportunities and implement plans for the development of the farming, tourism and business sectors.
• Prepare and implement plans to improve the environment and infrastructure of our area.

Make available, for our benefit, a comprehensive network of contacts with state agencies and private sector organisations.

Our future is in our hands

“Faoi scdth a cheile a mhaireann na daoine”

WHERE DO WE START?

If we are to realise the true potential of this approach, we need to work on it and pay for it ourselves. We need to raise, annually, a fund to £75,000 to meet expenses and prime projects. We believe that the money invested by the people of the parish and area will lead to economic and social benefits which we all want to achieve.

We are inviting all adults associated with the Athenry Area to contribute Annual Membership Subscriptions. There will be a range of investment levels to suit everyone’s income – business, farming, professions, wage earners, people seeking work, retired etc.

When this is achieved we can move quickly to ensure good returns for our investment which will be visible in a new range of projects and services.

HOW WILL THIS WORK?

The Core Organising Group (Management Committee) of the Development Company will work hand in hand with Project Teams to achieve results.

WILL YOU HAVE A SAY?

You will elect the Core Organising Group at the Annual General Meeting of members. The Core Organising Group will

• Encourage, facilitate and assist people from the area to initiate projects
• Ensure that projects proceed on the basis of sustainability and cost effective benefits.
• Co-ordinate the Company’ services.

WHAT RESULTS CAN YOU EXPECT?

The way forward is through local action. Working together has great potential. Where this has happened in other areas of the country property values increased, trading grew by as much as 50%

–           New enterprises started up and prospered.

–           Existing business and tourism expanded.

–           Community spirit and optimism increased.

–           Cultural and sporting activities flourished.

–           Greater awareness of people’s needs was achieved     

–           The environment improved.

Together we can make this happen: “Bailionn Brobh Beart”

WHAT YOU CAN DO?

–           Become a member and have a vote in your future.

–           Form or join a Project Team.

–           Convince your friends/neighbours to also get involved.

–           Support a “Buy Local Products and Shop Local” campaign.

–           Convey your ideas and suggestions to us.

Your membership is the key to your future. Get involved and realise the potential of your investment

WE ARE SUPPORTED BY THE ENTERPRISE TRUST?

The Enterprise Trust is established by

–           IBEC (Irish Business Employers Confederation)

–           ICOS (Irish Co-operative Organisation Society)

–           CIF (Construction Industry Federation)

to promote local enterprise development.

 “Developing the Parish and Area of Athenry”

“Developing the Parish and Area of Athenry” is one of only ten new pilot projects supported by The Enterprise Trust. We are being assisted in

–           Establishing links, for our own benefit, with other local developments.

–           Gaining a tax efficient way of raising local funds.

We are undertaking to encourage other areas in this part of Galway to link with us for our mutual benefit.

Interim Core Organising Group

Please talk to us for further information and membership details.

Conrad Byrnes, Tom Cloonan, Christy Coffey, Fr. Tony King P.P., Maura Molloy, Dermot Monaghan, Martin O’Grady, Finbarr O’Regan, Florrie O’Shea, Tommie Quinn, Peter Seery, Paul Thompson, Bob Zonenblick.

© Produced by The Steering Group of the Athenry Parish Development Association.