Waterford Leader Partnership

Ballymacarbry Arts Facility/General Purpose Hall

This project was part funded by Waterford Leader Partnership Ltd under the Rural Development Programme.

Ballymacarbry Community Centre Ltd was formed by members of the local community in 2004 to provide a facility for various sporting and non-sporting organisations.  Building on the centre started in May 2006 and to date a meeting room, computer training room, fully equipped gym, hostel and entrance hall have been completed.

In January 2009 the group approached WLP for financial assistance towards the building of an arts facility/general purpose hall.  Since the closure of the local parish hall the community had foregone the presence of a stage and theatre facility.  The absence of such a facility had put the community at a disadvantage in that it could not lend itself to hosting events and secondly it was unable to provide a suitable facility for various local groups/organisations to practice and perform their respective arts (e.g. Comhaltas, Dancing, Drama, Debating Teams, etc).  The group was eager to provide this facility in order to reinforce a culture of drama & arts back into the community and equally as important to provide rural dwellers with entertainment that would be affordable and easily accessible. Based on previous requests the group also saw potential for this facility to provide a basis for community gatherings and celebrations such as communions, confirmations, birthday parties, Christmas parties, retirement parties, refreshments after funerals etc

Work began on the construction of the arts facility/general purpose hall in July 2009 and despite very bad weather conditions over the summer months the group had successfully completed over 50% of their project in December 2009.  The group was also successful in having its Hostel registered with Fáilte Ireland prior to Christmas.  The project is due to be fully completed in April 2010.