Supports there to unlock ‘Pollard's potential - Mullooly

Former RTÉ midlands correspondent Ciaran Mullooly steered a tidal wave of innovative ideas for business and community projects at a meeting in Castle Varagh Hotel, Castlepollard, last Thursday evening, organised by the Castlepollard Local Development group.

Mr Mullooly spoke of the successes that have been achieved in his own Ballyleague/Lanesborough area, spurred on by Dorothy Coyle, a wheelchair user in her 40s, who could not take to the waters because none of the boats were wheelchair accessible.

With the help of Ciaran, and others, including Alan Broderick from Crookedwood, this anomaly was addressed. Now they have three accessible boats, with a fourth in the pipeline, and ten people are employed on the boats. They have developed Lough Ree Angling Hub and coffee shop/restaurant which had 5,500 visitors last summer, a promenade which is used by hundreds of walkers and runners every day, and a €450,000 marina. Ciaran said this had been achieved through various funding mechanisms and fund raising. He asked what the audience would like to see in the area. He then went through the ideas, suggested funding sources and advised on how to get a feasibility study and business plan in place.

Many of the proposals involved St Peter’s, once a mother and baby home.

Mr Mullooly spoke of the potential of this space, so close to the town.

One idea which got loud support from the audience was that St Peter’s be turned into an active retirement village.

Tina Morrisey from Coole wanted an environmental training centre in Coolure and a social hub at the old tennis courts in Coole.

Donie Cassidy felt Castlepollard should have a festival, themed around a local song such as Thomas Moore’s Endearing Young Charms, The Garden Where the Praties Grow, or Bridget Donoghue. He even offered to get Foster and Allen to record the chosen song.

Phil Brennan from Coole, a long serving community activist, wanted to see more businesses in the many vacant premises in the area, particularly a ladies’ clothes shop. She complained that if you wanted to buy a pair of tights you had to go to Mullingar.

Mr Mullooly remarked that such an operation might incorporate a community library or art gallery and suggested that the local ICA might help.

Jack O’Sullivan, environmental consultant, called for a community electricity grid and regular electric mini buses linking small towns with train services. Mr Mullooly suggested that the SEAI could be appoached about a community energy grid and Local Link about more buses.

Cllr Denis Leonard called for the re-opening of Killucan and Multyfarnham railway stations, looped walks with benches for the elderly, and possibly an educational facility at St Peter’s. One young woman called for the return of the Puck Fada festival that used to bring thousands to the area, vintage movie nights, and a local history museum. She also said the community must advertise on social media and in local papers.

Mr Mullooly agreed “if you are not on social media, you are not at the races” and suggested that transition year students could help provide an up-to-date website.

When a full time community childcare facility was proposed, Mr Mullooly pointed out that new applications are being invited for such facilities and recommended that four or five interested parents get together, get a feasibility study and business plan and find a suitable location, before the grants come out. A number of festival ideas were put forward, many of them focusing on the lakes and fishing, as well as swimming and fishing classes for children.

With non-Irish nationals moving into the community there should be more “bumping spaces” where people can meet without having to spend a lot of money, remarked one woman. Allotments, more cycle/walking tracks including an “M50 for walkers” on the old road around Castlepollard, farmers’ markets, a youth club, parent/toddler group, toy library, and a men’s shed for repairing boats, were other ideas put forward.

Stephen O’Brien, chairman of the Local Development group, announced that the Castlepollard Town Team initiative will be launched on January 25.

Mr Mullooly said that some of the ideas could be put to the Town Team group. They should identify the priorities, take four or five flagship projects, and let other groups take on the rest, three quarters of the ideas of which could be taken on under the Rural Regeneration programme, he said. The gathering was also addressed by Karen Gaffney of the North Westmeath Credit Union and by Tom Griffith of Midland Jobs.ie.