Club scores success with rural development funding

15/11/2011

Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill visited St Joseph’s GAC Craigbane to officially open its new purpose built indoor youth recreation/multi-use community facility. 

The Club received funding from the Rural Development Programme (RDP) amounting to £223,300 to build the facility to serve the communities of Park and Craigbane.

Speaking at the opening the Minister said:   “Projects like this recreation/multi-use community facility are contributing to the cohesion of the wider rural society through the provision of jobs in a challenging economic environment, and the completed project provides a facility for use by all sections of the local rural community.
“The Club has been providing recreational and community activity at Pairc Gheraroid Ui Chrosain since 1992 and this development will increase the recreational activity available within the rural area of Park and Craigbane.  There is no doubt in my mind that the high level of dedication and organisation from voluntary members that exist within the GAA at Club level has enabled this project to be completed successfully.”

The Club was awarded the funding by Assisting Rural Communities North-West (ARC NW).

Sean Crossan, Chairperson of St Joseph’s Craigbane commented: “On behalf of St Joseph's Craigbane GAC I am naturally delighted with the funding that we have received from DARD's Rural Development Programme and the assistance we were provided by ARC North West. The funding has enabled our club to deliver this much needed indoor facility in a rural area lacking in recreational facilities and will lend itself to a wide range of ages and abilities in our community.”

The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and over this period is worth £500m to the north.

[Pictured are Minister Michelle O’Neill with, Primary 5 pupils from St. Mary’s Altinure PS, James McLaughlin and Aisling Mortimer. Also included, from left, are Sean Crossan, chairman, St. Joseph’s GAC, Danny Murphy, provincial director, Ulster GAA, and John Keenan, GAA county chairman. (Photo – Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

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