Historic year for Ballinamore: Major grants boost local jobs and recreation

Since 1975, the Ballinamore Area Community Council (BACC) CLG has been dedicated to creating jobs and enhancing recreational amenities to make the area a better place to live. Their catchment area is wide including Aughawillan, Aughnasheelin, Ballinamore, Corraleehan, and Drumreilly.

This year, the organisation has run into huge success with funding, projects and community progress.

“It means so much for the community. It's a very exciting time for Ballinamore,” said Máirín Martin, Chairperson of BACC.

The Clg started off 2024 with the good news that The International Fund for Ireland had granted them a further €194,000, to continue their Peace Impact Programme, for a further two years.

They have employed two staff, Michael Mullin, Project Manager and Jennie O’Hara, part-time administrator. 

The Peace Impact Programme is a very successful cross border/cross community project which has been running since 2019.

“We’re able to retain the staff for another two years. Unemployment is a big issue in Ballinamore,” Máirín explained.

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BACC have also secured €357,877 under the Community Recognition Fund (CRF) to upgrade the Sports Complex. 

“I’m really excited for the upgrade of the sports complex. We have an issue with condensation and we’ve had to close it for matches at times. 

“I joined the community council in 2015 and it’s been my dream to achieve this, but there’s never been a big enough grant. 

“It’s for the community, it’s widely used. We’re the only one in a big radius right down into Cavan, there are no sports complexes,” Máirín said.

The sports complex will see a dehumidification system, new tiles and a wooden floor in the main playing area. Toilets and showers will also get an upgrade.

BACC have also been successful with their application under Peace Plus and secured €225,000 to erect a Multiple Use Games Area (MUGA) directly beside the children’s playground, opposite the sports complex. 

“This will be a soccer pitch, a Gaelic pitch and it’ll have basketball hoops. It’s of equal importance to the complex because it's for children from 12 to 16. They don’t have anything to do,” Máirín said. 

The MUGA will be interchangeable to allow for sports like volleyball and tennis to take place also. This work will start in January 2025.

Another application under The Communities Integration Fund (CIF) secured €5,000. 

In partnership with Clankelly Community group in Co. Fermanagh, they have jointly applied to install solar PV panels and an EV charging system, as neither location currently has one. 

The group has been awarded €25,550 under the Climate Action Fund to install Solar Panels and provide an EV Charger at the Community Den and the Clann Kelly group a similar amount.

The Board wishes to thank Leitrim County Council, the Department of Rural and Community Development, Simon and Amanda from the Town Team and all the local groups who gave Letters of Support. 

“The enormous amount of grant aid offered by The International Fund for Ireland; the Peace Plus Programme; the Communities Integration Fund; the Community Recognition Fund, Leitrim County Council, we as a completely voluntary Board of Directors, would not be in a position to deliver on all of these vitally important community projects. 

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“This has been our year to deliver for our community. We greatly appreciate all this support,” Máirín enthused.