Current news
Major new initiative to support shared housing
19/08/08
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International Fund for Ireland meets Israeli-Palestinian delegation
04/08/08
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Full steam ahead for Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
30/07/08
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A Celebration from the HEART
23/07/08
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Work Commenced on Eglinton Village Green
09/07/08
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International Fund announces £12.4 (€15.5) million to promote integration and peace building
04/07/08
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Phase 2 and phase 3 at Ballysaggart Business Complex
officially opened
02/07/08
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Work commenced on Claudy play area
01/07/08
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Major new initiative to support
shared housing
19th August 2008
30 shared neighbourhoods to be developed over the
next three years
Denis Rooney,Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland and Social Development Minister Margaret will today(tuesday)officially launch a major new programme to support and encourage shared neighbourhoods across NI.
The Troubles have created a legacy of communities living separately.This Shared Neighbourhood Programme will assist more and more communities in their desire to live together.
Shared Future housing is a key plank in Margaret Ritchie's New Housing Agenda and this programme will support that.
The Shared Neighbourhood Programme will be managed by the Housing Executive and will work with existing communities to develop 30 shared neighbourhoods over the next 3 years.The Programme will cost almost £1m with the International Fund for Ireland providing £698,000 of this.
Pictured at the launch are(L-R) Springfarm residents Jessica Stuart and Tammy Lee Davis with Denis Rooney,Chair IFI and Minister Margaret Ritchie and Tanvi Kale.
Denis Rooney, Chairman of The International Fund for Ireland and Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie will today (Tuesday 19th August) officially launch a major new Programme to support and encourage shared neighbourhoods across Northern Ireland.
The Troubles have created a legacy of communities living separately. This Shared Neighbourhood Programme will assist more and more communities in their desire to live together.
Shared Future housing is a key plank in Margaret Ritchie’s New Housing Agenda and this Programme will support that.
The ‘Shared Neighbourhood Programme’ will be managed by the Housing Executive and will work with existing communities to develop 30 shared neighbourhoods over the next three years. The Programme will cost almost £1m with the International Fund for Ireland providing £698,000 of this.
The Programme will provide grants to enable community organisations to celebrate diversity and bring together people, from all backgrounds, who live in these areas. Training and practical on-the-ground support will be provided by the Housing Executive via a dedicated team of Cohesion Advisers.
Five housing areas across Northern Ireland have already committed to participating in the Programme - Springfarm in Antrim, Lissize in Rathfriland, Knockmore/Tonagh in Lisburn, Gortview/Killybrack Close in Omagh and Ballynafeigh in Belfast. It is anticipated that a further 25 areas will become involved in the next two years.
Welcoming the Programme, Seamus Davis, Chairman of Springfarm and District Community Association speaking on behalf of the five pilot communities said: “We are proud to be leading the way in this uniquely pro-active Shared Neighbourhood Programme which recognises that community ownership is key in changing the norms and offering real choices for the future.
“The Programme recognises the expertise, leadership and good relations work that is already taking place within communities. Its aim to galvanise long term commitment from statutory and interagency partnerships will be crucial in supporting, securing and protecting Shared Neighbourhoods through a spirit of true partnership working. We look forward to working closely with the Housing Executive and the International Fund to deliver this exciting new Programme and we believe it will be a great success.”
Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland Denis Rooney said: “Supporting and encouraging neighbourhoods where everyone in the community is valued and respected and where diversity is celebrated is fundamental to building lasting peace and a stable society in Northern Ireland.
“Good community relations is a major priority for the International Fund and we are pleased to have been able to work with the Housing Executive to develop this uniquely proactive approach to promoting shared neighbourhoods. The Shared Neighbourhood Programme acknowledges for the first time those communities who have been quietly working towards becoming genuinely shared spaces, often with little or no funding, and provides them with support to share their experiences, capture best practice and ensure that their work is sustained for future generations. Without the support of our international donors, the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, we could not continue to fund programmes such as the Shared Neighbourhood Programme.”
Welcoming the International Fund’s commitment to supporting shared housing, Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA said: “The time is right for this. The people of Northern Ireland want it. Eight out of ten people in the recent Life and Times survey highlighted that they would like to live in mixed areas.
“It is a very ambitious Programme and the key to it for me, is that it will be community led. When I launched my New Housing Agenda earlier this year, I made it clear that I wanted to provide housing that would bring people together, not keep them apart. This remains a central theme in all my endeavours for Housing and that is why I am delighted to help launch this Programme, starting the first of many schemes.”
In addition to grants to run cultural awareness and community events, participating communities will benefit from community relations training, community consultations and support to design their own Neighbourhood Charter and deliver their own Good Relations programme.
International Fund for Ireland meets Israeli-Palestinian delegation
Pictured on a recent visit to Northern Ireland are Mr Daniel Taub and Dr Sufian Abu Zaida from the Israeli-Palestinian Joint Committee (Culture of Peace) who met with Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland and Alexander Smyth, Joint Director General of the Fund, to discuss a number of IFI funded projects.
Mr Rooney and Mr Smith used the meeting to outline the work of the Fund and its strategy to 2010 which includes sharing its experience and expertise with peacebuilders in countries coming out of conflict.
Full steam ahead for Railway Preservation Society of Ireland
30th July 2008
Alexander Smith,Joint Director General of International Fund for Ireland and Lord O'Neill,President of RPSI signal the launch of a new refurbished dining car and veteran guards van which now be used as part of the RPSI's activities across Ireland.
Also pictured(L-R) are John Glendinning,Chairman RPSI, Siobhan McCauley,NITB,Mark Cosgrove,Deputy Mayor of Carrickfergus ,Catherine Mason,Group Chief Executive Translink and
Lexi Scott,Chair of the NI Museum Council,
Picture by BrianThompson / Presseye.com
Whitehead Excursion Station was the centre of celebrations today as the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland unveiled two newly restored vehicles from its collection. The reconditioned dining car and rebuilt guard's van will now go into service and will be used by the Society for its popular programme of steam train activities.
The dining car, which was built in 1970, and the guard's van, dating back to 1945, have been overhauled and refurbished over the past two years in the Society's workshops at Whitehead.
The £400,000 project has been funded by the International Fund for Ireland, administered through the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, which contributed £160,000, to the carriage modernisation scheme. The remainder of the funding has been raised by the Society, with support in kind from Translink, which made the former Enterprise carriages available to the RPSI when they went out of service, as well as £3,000 of support from the Northern Ireland Museums Council, for the guard’s van.
Mark Walsh signals the launch of a new refurbished dining car and veteran guards van which now be used as part of the RPSI's activities across Ireland.
Pictured(L-R) with Mark are Lexi Scott,Chair of the NI Museum Council,Lord O'Neill,President of RPSI,John Glendinning,Chairman RPSI,Catherine Mason,Group Chief Executive Translink,Alexander Smith,Joint Director General of International Fund for Ireland,Mark Cosgrove,Deputy Mayor of Carrickfergus and Siobhan McCauley,NITB
Picture by BrianThompson / Presseye.com
Speaking at the event Alexander Smith, Joint Director General of the International Fund for Ireland, said he was delighted to see that the Society's activities were going from strength to strength.
He said: "The Fund has enjoyed an immensely successful relationship with the RPSI since 1993 when we helped support the construction of a railway carriage shed at Whitehead. This new project, which includes the restoration of the diner and its sister carriages, will play a vital part in educating visitors about the region's rich heritage while bringing together different communities under a common interest underpinning the Fund's strategy of community relations and reconciliation.
"The completion of this project will enable the Society to offer people across Ireland the opportunity to enjoy a trip back in time and savour the unforgettable experience of a trip of a steam train."
Siobhan McCauley, Director of Product Development at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, said the RPSI's steam train activities were an important part of the tourism package on offer in Northern Ireland.
Siobhan said; “This initiative will create a sustainable and authentic product that is well placed to serve domestic and international visitors. It will help to spread the economic benefits of tourism while also providing visitors with a unique steam train experience.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone involved in this excellent project and I look forward to experiencing the steam trains for myself.”
Catherine Mason, Group Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHCo) and Translink, unveiled two plaques to mark the return to service of the two vehicles.
She said: "We are proud of our rich railway heritage and many of our stations and facilities have been carefully restored to reflect this. As such we are pleased to support the work of the RPSI and very much commend their efforts to capture and nurture Ireland's railway heritage for future generations.”
Lexie Scott, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Museums Council, said they had been delighted to have been asked to be a principal funder of the restoration of 'Ivan', as the brake van has been nicknamed.
He said: "This project sees the preservation of a significant part of our railway heritage, but more than that, the RPSI is to be congratulated on the way it was done.
"In building a team of young members to carry out the work, the Society offers a model of good practice and one I am sure will be emulated by other museums and heritage organisations."
Lord O'Neill, President of the RPSI, said the return to traffic of the two vehicles was a landmark occasion for the Society, and further evidence of the skillbase which had been developed at Whitehead.
"We are very grateful to the International Fund for Ireland, the Tourist Board and the Northern Ireland Museums Council whose funding has helped us turn a dream into reality," he said.
"We are also indebted to Translink and Iarnrod Eireann who continue to facilitate the operation by our historic steam trains and manage to accommodate our trips in the busy timetable of the modern railway network.
"The Society is now a major player in the tourism sector and as time goes by our trains both north and south are proving more popular than ever."
"This year the RPSI has taken its steam trains to destinations from Ballymena to Rosslare, and from Waterford to Bangor, carrying several thousand passengers in all and turning many heads as they steam through city and countryside."
The diner, which has a fully functioning bar and kitchen, will be used on the RPSI's Bangor Belle excursions which are due to run on August 9 and 24.
The guard's van, built in Dundalk at the end of World War Two, has been restored from scrap condition to working order by the RPSI's youth wing, who christened the vehicle Ivan (short for GNR(I) van). It is the last Great Northern guard's van in existence and it will be used on the Whitehead train rides which operate on Sunday afternoons during the summer.
A Celebration from the HEART
23rd July 2008
Mayor of Donegal Cllr. Gerry Crawford and Paddy Harte, International Fund for Ireland at the launch of the Three Coins sculpture on
the HEART
Sculpture Trail on Lifford roundabout.
Cross-border Ministerial Attendance at HEART Launch
Councillors from both Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council joined Senior officials from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, the International Fund for Ireland and other stakeholders to view some of the public art and environmental improvements made by HEART over the past
two years, and to celebrate the overall successes of the
HEART project.
The cross-border HEART project (Heritage, Environment, Art and Rural Tourism) has seen twelve towns and villages across both council areas benefit form a total of twelve new pieces of public art, a shop front scheme to encourage local businesses to improve their image, and a whole range of environmental improvements in
each locality.
In the past two years, the HEART project has invested over 3 million euro on these improvements. A HEART heritage and tourism trail has been developed from the initiative – enhancing tourism and economic opportunities across the entire HEART region.
Councillor Jarlath McNulty, chair of Strabane District Council said “This is a momentous day for everyone who has been involved in the HEART project in recent years. By combining art and heritage with environmental improvements it is clear to see how these combine to significantly improve the appearance and cultural value in each of the twelve towns and villages right across the HEART region.
Councillor Gerry Crawford, Mayor of Donegal County Council said “HEART has shown how councils on either side of the border can work together for the benefit of all – to make our areas more attractive and welcoming to visitors, while making each location a more pleasant place to live.
“People right across the HEART region have embraced these improvements. The feedback we are hearing from local people is that they love their new sculptures and public art. You could say they have taken them to their ‘heart’!”
The HEART celebration delegation visited Sion Mills where they viewed public art by acclaimed artist Eamonn O’Doherty called the ‘Flax Spinner’. They also viewed the new public art in Raphoe titled ‘Mother Earth’ by Maurice Harron then travelled to Lifford to see the dramatic ‘Lifford Coins’ located on the Lifford Roundabout.
Speaking at the unveiling, Paddy Harte of the International Fund for Ireland – one of the primary project funders, said:
"I am delighted to be here today at the official opening of this official launch of these three magnificent pieces of public art ‘Mother Earth’, ‘Flax Spinner’ and ‘Three Coins’ in celebration of Lifford’s present and future. From the stand point and looking across at the Tinnies, one is struck by the fact that this is a very different place to what it was during all those years of political instability. This has come about and has only been possible because of the vision, commitment and energy of very many people over very many years who have wanted to make their community a better place.
He continued: "The HEART project with its cross-border and cross-community focus goes to the very core of the work of the International Fund's strategy of Sharing this Space. The kind of future we all want for our society is based upon the ability of all of us to share our rich heritage and traditions and the continued success of political stability depends upon how well we all participate in this. I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in the HEART project for your vision, your commitment and your sheer hard work and perseverance."
The celebrations were completed with lunch and the official launch at the Courthouse in Strabane, where the funders were thanked, and the tireless efforts of all involved in the HEART project was commended.
Work Commenced on Eglinton
Village Green
9th July 2008
Work has commenced on the development of a new play environment in Eglinton at a cost of £250,000. This project is part financed by the European Union through the Peace II Programme and managed for the SEUPB by the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council (RDC); Derry City Council through the Parks Development Programme and the International Fund for Ireland (IFI). This project is managed by Derry City Council on behalf of Eglinton Community Safety Forum. It is supported by Rural Area Partnership in Derry (RAPID) and Groundwork NI through the Greencare Northwest Project.
Front, from left, are local children Adam Young, Holly Cassidy, Catherine Young, Emma Cassidy, Dean and Thomas Young.
Back, from left, are Xavier Jeanne, landscape architect, Derry City Council; Jane Thom, Regional Development Council; Deputy Mayor, Alderman Maurice Devenney; Jim Logue, chairman, Eglinton Community Forum; John McDaid, board member International Fund for Ireland, and Gus Hastings, vice-chairman, RAPID.
This project aims to develop a shared play provision in the centre of Eglinton Village for the whole community. Welcoming this investment, the Mayor Gerard Diver said he was delighted that the scheme is now underway following two years of development and fundraising.
“The provision of a new play environment for Eglinton Village is a significant investment for the people of this area and symbolises Councils and other funders commitment to the rural community. The need for a shared facility in Eglinton Village is essential to create new facilities for the whole community.”
Speaking on behalf of the Rural Development Council, Board member Leslie Craig, commented: “As an organisation which is committed to supporting rural communities, we are delighted to have been able to assist the Eglinton Community Safety Forum. We envisage that this project will provide opportunities for rural peace and reconciliation through the provision of amenities, which cater for both communities irrespective of background and providing opportunities for people to meet in a neutral environment. We are very heartened to see that the community group had the foresight and confidence to put at the forefront of their objectives the creation of a space which would serve everyone.”
John McDaid, International Fund for Ireland, Board Member said: “We are committed to supporting projects such as the Eglinton Village Green play park, which bring young and old people together in a neutral and shared space, promoting reconciliation and ultimately the creation of a more integrated and stable society in Northern Ireland. We would like to congratulate all those involved and look forward to seeing the play facility open.”
John Kelpie, City Engineer acknowledged the important role of the funders and the project team involved in progressing the initiative. “As part of the Parks Development Programme, the creation of a new Eglinton Village Green clearly demonstrates Council’s commitment to creating space that meet the need of the community as apposed to simply reinvestment in the existing poorly designed and sited play areas”.
Jim Logue Chairman of Eglinton Community Safety Forum said: “We would like to extend our thanks to Rural Development Council (RDC), the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), Derry City Council Parks Development Programme, RAPID and Greencare for their support in this project and making this scheme a reality”.
Jim McColgan, chairperson of RAPID said: "RAPID are delighted to be part of the overall strategic development of Eglinton Village Green and the provision of the new play area will bring a much needed community facility to the area."
The new facility will be complete early this summer.
International Fund announces £12.4 (€15.5) million to promote integration and peace building
4th July 2008
The International Fund for Ireland has today announced a further £12.4 million (€15.5 million) of funding to support a range of new and existing community integration and reconciliation-based projects throughout Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties.
Commenting on the International Fund’s decision to approve this round of funding, Denis Rooney, Chairman, the International Fund for Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be in the position today to announce such a significant and substantial level of funding. This level of funding, amounting to £12.4 million (€15.5million) will go some way towards building on the progress we are making in leading the way and achieving real levels of cross community integration and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties.
“On behalf of the International Fund for Ireland, may I say how excited we are at some of the initiatives to be implemented over the coming months and years. We look forward to witnessing the fruits of these worthy endeavours and thank our donor countries for their valued contributions.”
A total of £2.8 million (€3.5 million) will go to the Fund’s ‘Leaving a Legacy’ programme. Notable beneficiaries will include The 174 Trust, an inter-denominational and non-sectarian Christian Community Development organisation which will receive £1.4 million (€1.7 million) towards the refurbishment and transformation of the former Duncairn Presbyterian Church on the Antrim Road into a Community Resource, Arts & Culture Centre.
The new centre aims to promote reconciliation by creating a venue where the people of North Belfast and beyond can come together and take part in joint activities that celebrate their diversity and shared heritage.
Additional funding is also being provided to the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Wicklow towards its extensive rebuilding and modernisation programme.
The Fund has also announced £2.5 million (€3.8 million) of support for a number of projects under its Building Bridges Programme. This includes £250,000 (€308,000) for Inishowen Women’s Information Network towards the cost of mentoring support for women to work within their own communities to create hubs of reconciliation throughout community projects in the West and North West of Ireland and Mid-Ulster.
Both Forth Spring Inter-Community Group and North Belfast Interface Network will receive £225,935 (€278,932) and £248,000 (€306,172) respectively towards the cost of extensive cross-interface initiatives in their respective areas. The work will include providing training and support to other interface communities and to target greater involvement of men from local communities as facilitators and advocates for change.
Through its Community Based Economic & Social Regeneration Programme, the Fund has approved £6.5 million (€8 million) focusing on community-based economic and social development, improving community leadership and facilitating change at a community level.
Youth Action Northern Ireland will receive a total of £980,605 (€1.2m) towards a two year project building on the success of the current Youth and Community Leadership Programme (CLP). The new Programme, to be based in 3 areas (Derry/Donegal, Greater Belfast and Fermanagh/ Cavan/Monaghan) aims to promote active citizenship, learning and community leadership in marginalised young people aged 18-25. Accredited training and employment experience will be delivered as part of the programme.
Carlingford Community Development Ltd will receive £182,250 (€225,000) to support activities related to the Carlingford Lough Youth Peace Project (CLYPP). CLYPP is a cross-border, cross-community, reconciliation and development project, designed to foster links between young people of different religious persuasions from both sides of Carlingford Lough. A range of modules /activities is implemented covering leadership and teamwork, environmental education and an appreciation of cultural diversity.
The Fund has approved its support for the Cross Border Maximising Community Space and Good Relations Project, a major three year £3.4 million (€4.2million) project designed to improve community relations by maximising community use of local halls on a cross community basis. The project will provide a range of training and grants of up to £50,000 (€61,700) to groups across Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties. The programme will be managed by the Rural Development Council.
Phase 2 and phase 3 at Ballysaggart Business Complex officially opened
2nd July 2008
Denis Rooney CBE, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland and Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today (Wednesday 2nd July) officially opened phase two and phase three of workspace and enterprise units at Ballysaggart Business Complex, Dungannon.
Situated on Beech Valley Way, phase two provides 5,325 sq ft of new workspace including three specialist industrial units on the ground floor and one large function room on the second floor.
Phase three provides 3,500 sq ft of new workspace including three offices and three light industrial units which are primarily targeted at encouraging women, young people and ethnic minority entrepreneurs.
The new developments, housed in the same building have been funded by different parties. Phase two was funded by the International Fund for Ireland (£250,000); Department for Social Development Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Programme (£127,000); Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council (£189,000) and Dungannon West Renewal (£88,000).
The International Fund for Ireland also contributed £40,000 to Phase three of the building and other funding came from DETI Peace II (£127,124); Department for Social Development - Local Community Fund (£50,000); and STEP - South Tyrone Empowerment Programme (£37,124).
These new extensions to Ballysaggart Business Complex have the potential to employ 36 people.
Speaking at the opening, Denis Rooney said: “Today is a great celebration for all the parties involved to attend the combined opening. This building is a superb example of how organisations working together can achieve a great deal to directly benefit their communities.”
“This investment will help stimulate economic growth, develop potential for employment and facilitate skills training for the people of Dungannon. Creating conditions in which businesses can flourish is a key focus for the Fund.”
Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA, Minister for Social Development said: “Our Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy seeks to ensure that people living in disadvantaged areas enjoy the same quality of life as everyone else in Northern Ireland. I am pleased that my Department is making a positive contribution to improve the economic prospects for people living in the Dungannon Neighbourhood Renewal Area. I wish to congratulate the members on the Board of Dungannon West who have worked tirelessly to make the project happen.”
Liam Waugh from Dungannon West Renewal said: “When we formed Dungannon West Renewal in 1995 there was extensive dereliction and underdevelopment in the area. For over 12 years now, we have been working together with the public and private sectors to transform the west side of Dungannon, particularly with the provision of workspace and facilities for new and existing businesses. It is fantastic to see the area now thriving and busy. I am very grateful to all the funders for their contribution.”
Ann McGlone at South Tyrone Empowerment Programme (STEP) added: “Our premises are aimed primarily at individuals who would otherwise not have the opportunity provided here which underlines the role we have in contributing to the regeneration of Dungannon West. I would like to extend thanks to DETI, Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council and the International Fund for Ireland for their funding which made this project possible.”
Andrew Winter from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment who contributed to Phase 3 of the building said:“ In providing £127,124 to this project from the Peace II Programme, DETI aims to support the economic transition of Northern Ireland to a more stable, peaceful and prosperous society through the construction of economic infrastructure. This workspace development will stimulate growth, encourage investment and create employment opportunities for the people of the area.
“Development like this exemplifies the important contribution that European funding is making to the economic regeneration of disadvantaged communities across Northern Ireland.”
Mayor of Dungannon and South Tyrone, Cllr The Lord Morrow, MLA of Clogher Valley said, “This building is a great example of the partnerships which the Council has been endeavouring to promote in the field of business regeneration, neighbourhood renewal and development. Ballysaggart Business Complex now provides affordable workspace for a wide variety of businesses and has given the area a much needed economic boost.”
Work commenced on Claudy play area
1st July 2008
Work has commenced on the development of a new play environment in Claudy Country Park at a cost of £250,000. This project is part financed by the European Union through the Peace II Programme and managed for the SEUPB by the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council (RDC); Derry City Council through the Parks Development Programme and the International Fund for Ireland (IFI).The project is managed by Derry City Council on behalf of John Mitchell GAC. It is supported by Rural Area Partnership in Derry (RAPID) and Groundwork NI.
This investment is part of the wider regeneration of the area to improve access and facilities at a district wide level. Welcoming this investment, the Mayor Alderman Drew Thompson said he was delighted that the scheme is now underway following two years of development and fundraising.
“The provision of a new play environment for Claudy Village is a significant investment for the people of this area and symbolises the Councils and other funders commitment to the rural community. Claudy Country Park has benefited significantly from funding over the past number of years to provide enhanced recreational facilities for the whole community.”
Speaking on behalf of the Rural Development Council, Board member Leslie Craig, commented: “As an organisation which is committed to supporting rural communities we are delighted to have been able to assist the John Mitchell GAC. We envisage that this project will provide opportunities for rural peace and reconciliation through the provision of amenities, which cater for both communities irrespective of background and providing opportunities for people to meet in a neutral environment. We are very heartened to see that the club had the foresight and confidence to put at the forefront of their objectives the creation of a space which would serve everyone.”
John McDaid, International Fund for Ireland, Board Member commented: “We are committed to supporting projects such as the Claudy Play Project, which bring people together in a neutral and shared space, promoting reconciliation and ultimately the creation of a more integrated and stable society in Northern Ireland. We would like to congratulate all those involved and look forward to seeing the play facility open.”
John Kelpie, City Engineer acknowledged the important role of the funders and the project team involved in progressing the initiative. “This is another example of a successful partnership between various organisations. This new play facility is sympathetic to the parkland and will bring added value to the local environment.”
Vincent McCloskey Chairman of John Mitchell GAC said: “John Mitchells GAC would like to extend their thanks to Rural Development Council (RDC), the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), Derry City Council Parks Development Programme, RAPID and Groundwork NI for their support in Claudy Play Area and making this scheme a reality. The state of the art play facility will be an asset to the community of Claudy.”
Jim McColgan, chairperson of RAPID said: "RAPID are delighted to be part of the overall strategic development of Claudy Country Park and the provision of the new play area will bring a much needed community facility to the area."
A series of workshops and meetings with the public were facilitated by Groundwork NI over the past year to consult and engage with the local community. The new facility will be complete early this summer.
