Renewed Ballyglass Community Futures action plan launched
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Local volunteers at the Ballyglass Community Futures launch. At back, from left: Bernard Prendergast, Sharon Hennessy, Ruth Devlin, Mags O’Toole, Sheila Gilligan, Joan Walsh, Minister Dara Calleary, Mary Brennan, Mena Mahon, Rachel Quinn, Leona Nestor, Patricia Nestor and Karl Reville. At front: Nora Conroy, Maureen Murphy, Noreen Longworth, Bridie Killeen, Bridie McIntyre, Sally Keane, Rita Nestor, Breege Jennings and Mike Bonar. Photos: Trish FordeImage 2 of 5
Ballyglass Community Futures steering committee. At back, from left: Danny O’Toole, Leona Nestor, Nora Conroy and Breege Jennings. At front: Mike Bonar, Minister Dara Calleary and Patricia Nestor.Image 3 of 5
Nora Conroy presenting a painting to Minister Calleary.Image 4 of 5
Leona Nestor presenting flowers to Geraldine Leneghan, Community Futures.Image 5 of 5
Breege Jennings and John Cannon, chairperson of Community Futures.THE Ballyglass Community Futures Action Plan, 2026-2031, has been launched by Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary.
The five-year strategic roadmap, created by local people, outlines the community’s current situation, its shared vision for the future, and the priority projects based on local consultations to be undertaken in the given period.
A large gathering in the community centre saw the local community members joined by Minister of State Alan Dillon, Deputies Keira Keogh and Rose Conway-Walsh and councillors Al McDonnell, Michael Kilcoyne, Patsy O’Brien, Cyril Burke and Blackie Gavin. Representatives from Mayo County Council, including cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor John Caulfield, and cathaoirleach of the Castlebar Municipal District, Councillor Ger Deere, were also present, together with representatives from South West Mayo Development Company and Mayo County Council Community Futures.
Chairperson of Ballyglass Community Council, and MC for the event, Joan Walsh, spoke about the journey undertaken by the local Community Futures steering committee in the last six months and thanked them for their work in seeing the process through to completion. The six members were Nora Conroy, Mike Bonar, Breege Jennings, Danny O’Toole, Patricia Nestor and Leona Nestor.
The committee was assisted by a group of additional volunteers who gave of their time and energy to ensure community surveys were distributed and collected and to assist along the way in organising the youth consultation evening and community voting day in April. Joan sincerely thanked everyone who helped out in any way, behind the scenes and otherwise.
The steering committee received great support from Community Futures support worker Marie Reilly Davey, facilitator Geraldine Leneghan and lead Eileen O’Connor from Mayo County Council.
Joan highlighted the enormous contribution by the various community groups operating in the village and thanked them for continuing to foster an ongoing sense of community and improving the quality of life for local residents of all ages, including Ballyglass Community Childcare service, Mountpleasant NS, Ballyglass Community Council, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, Ballyglass FC, which celebrated 50 years last year, the Active Age group, Sports Committee, Heritage and Vintage Club and the Foróige club. She mentioned also the positive impact of local businesses, like Malone Farm Machinery, providers of both employment and sponsorship of local events.
Joan thanked the local councillors for their continued support of the various projects undertaken in Ballyglass and their commitment to financially supporting future projects to come.
Cathaoirleach Councillor John Caulfield and Tom Gilligan, director of services, Mayo County Council, both paid tribute to the work of local volunteers in improving community life for residents of rural areas.
Inviting Minister Calleary to speak, Ms. Walsh mentioned his previous visit to the community centre in Ballyglass, which occurred in the immediate aftermath of Storm Éowyn. The centre was in use as a hub for anyone without power and water to come and avail of charging and cooking facilities, heat and light in which to do homework and connect with neighbours in what were very challenging times for many.
The minister recalled his visit and referred to it as a blueprint for what is possible in rural areas and he renewed his commitment to supporting and funding such initiatives should similar events occur in the future.
Minister Calleary paid tribute to the spirit of volunteerism which is alive and thriving in Ballyglass. He said the action plan reflects what can be done when people work together for the good of everyone in a community, and that there is nothing in the plan that is not achievable.
He added that the community has his support, that of his department and that of all of the local representatives present in helping Ballyglass to achieve its aims going forward.
Nora Conroy, from the steering committee, presented the minister with a painting and Geraldine Leneghan was presented with flowers from the committee.
Refreshments and some delicious cakes provided by local bakers were enjoyed, with thanks extended to all who made the event possible, by preparing and decorating the centre, helping with traffic, making tea, and cleaning up afterwards. Thanks also to the CE workers. And special thanks to photographer on the day, Tricia Forde.
The work begins in the coming weeks and months on the priority projects outlined in the plan. If anyone would like to volunteer in any way, please email ballyglassdevelopment@gmail.com or speak to any community council member.
Copies of the plan are available in Ballyglass Community Centre.