Laois community ramp up campaign to revive village

The community in Rosenallis is ramping up a campaign to revive the village and secure much needed facilities for the area. 

A well attended meeting was held earlier this week led by Fr. Tom Walshe, Brian Farrell and Cllr Seamus McDonald and a committee was formed. The group hopes to have a meeting with Laois County Council in the coming weeks to discuss a five year plan for the village. 

Speaking to Leinster Express/Laois Live Chairperson Brian Farrell said around 90 people attended the meeting. 

“Our main focus is to clean the place up and get it tidy. We are looking to set up a community shop and a community hub like they have in Mountrath where we would have different things in the community centre,” said Mr Farrell. 

“We have people working on that and we have people already offering their services for classes. One man is retired who is going to do yoga classes, it’s needed in the parish.

“We don’t even have a playground. The walkways and lighting are very bad in Rosenallis.  

“We are going to press Laois County Council over the next few days for a meeting and a five year plan going forward.”

Mr Farrell said it is important for people to have somewhere to go to socialise especially after mass on a Saturday. He said people in the community have to travel to either Clonaslee or Mountmellick for their nearest shop. 

“We really need the community to get behind this initiative and drive it on. We have sat on our hands long enough in my opinion. A community shop is a must,” he said. 

 A committee was elected on the night including Chairperson Brian Farrell; Vice Chair Aileen Hartnett; Secretary Linda Shaw; Treasurer Pat McKane; PRO Shannen Creagh; Committee members Mason Creagh, Noelle Conroy, Conor Conroy, Bernie Bennett and Muireann Ní Chonaill.

 A Facebook page has been set up to keep people informed on events and the committee is encouraging everyone in the community to get involved.