Much-loved Offaly village hall to get new lease of life

A REGENERATION project is currently in the pipeline for Ballyboy Hall. This is a much-loved community Hall which has lain idle for many years.

The Offaly Town Regeneration Officer Olwen Cummins, brought the councillors up to speed with the project during a recent Birr Municipal District meeting.

She told them that €50,000 from Town and Village Reneewal has been granted towards the scheme and it's hoped to start spending it this year.

She pointed out that locals are very keen for the building to receive the “tender loving care” which is long overdue.

“The purpose of acquiring this building,” she remarked, “is to create a multi-purpose community space in the heart of the village.

“Offaly County Council will lease back this property to Ballyboy Development Association. The aim of Ballyboy Development Association is that the Hall will become a multi-purpose community space.

“The property has been lying vacant for about thirty years.

“Ballyboy Community Development have to date completed designs, held pre-planning meetings and are ready to submit for planning permission.”

She added that there are future possible funding opportunities in addition to the €50,000 to go towards the Hall's refurbishment. Future funding could be sourced from Town and Village Renewal, Leader, etc.

Cllr John Leahy said this funding announcement is very welcome. He warmly praised the Ballyboy Community Development Association. “Ballyboy is a lovely village and they are a great community out there. For a long time villages like Ballyboy have been unfairly neglected. The committee is very hardworking.”

Last year it was also announced that the village will receive €100,000 to develop a green space and recreational area in Ballyboy village centre, including a landscaped area with seating, lighting and amenity car parking area.