BOHER was buzzing with activity as a new multi-use games area was opened and a street feast held on the same day as they had a lot to celebrate.
Pat O’Connell, chairman of Boher Community Development Association (CDA), welcomed everybody and said without the support of the local community, and in particular, the multi-use games area committee, “this could not have happened”.
It will facilitate tennis, basketball and soccer and he hoped it will be fully used, similar to the bookings of their community centre. Discussions first took place at a meeting in 2020 and were ongoing to 2023 when Boher CDA applied for and were successful in securing a Sports Capital Grant.
Minister of State Kieran O’Donnell described the multi-use games area as “phenomenal” at the event.
“To see all the young people here and their parents using the facility is fantastic,” said Mr O’Donnell, who complimented Sarah Fitzgerald, outgoing secretary of Boher CDA, who did a huge amount of work on the grant application, and paid tribute to the hard work of the committee under Mr O’Connell’s leadership.
“These are the type of projects we want to support, the type of projects we want to see more of and what you have in Boher, you are really trailblazers. We want to see a lot more of these in rural communities.
“You have a fantastic community centre here, Boher is a great place to live and a great community. We look forward to continue to support all the endeavours here for Boher CDA and everything that we do and the fact that we have across the social divide here and across the age divide here is a tribute to what we are doing here in Boher,” said Mr O’Donnell.
Fr Thomas Dunne, parish priest of Murroe Boher, congratulated everybody and commented on the local support for this facility. He said the street feast added a sense of festivity and he thanked everybody involved. Fr Dunne prayed that all those using the facility would be safe and blessed the multi-use games area.
Ms Fitzgerald said, “It is not about a committee, it is about a community” which she said “describes Boher CDA”
“We are always on the lookout for new people with new ideas to get involved in enhancing our community,” said Ms Fitzgerald, who cut the ribbon and formally opened Boher’s new multi-use games area to thunderous applause.
The U11 Murroe-Boher Community Games hurling team, who won the Limerick County Community Games U11 title, were the first to officially use it.
On the same day, Boher Street Feast once again brought neighbours - new and long-standing - together for a celebration of food, friendship, and community.
Organised by the Street Feast committee, the event invited everyone to bring a dish to share. The tables were filled with an extraordinary variety of dishes, complemented by a barbecue expertly prepared by Conor and Sarah McManus and Jessica Hanly and Patrick Healy.
Mr O’Connell thanked attendees, sponsors, politicians, committee members and everybody who played their part in a doubly memorable day.
9. Boher Street Feast and official opening of new multi-use sports area
10. Boher Street Feast and official opening of new multi-use sports area
11. Boher Street Feast and official opening of new multi-use sports area
