Longford's Lus na Gréine sees Minister Emer Higgins Launch their new resource centre

The opening of Lus na Gréine’s new family resource centre took place today, Friday, 11 October.

The centre was officially opened by Minister Emer Higgins at 11am.  

The centre has been in the works for a long time and has been headed up by Eileen Finan the manager of Lus na Gréine. Eileen has been with Lus na Gréine since it opened in 2007 as the one hundredth family resource centre in Ireland.

Also Read: Aunt and niece worked as ‘team’ to rob groceries from Longford supermarket

Eileen was kind enough to speak to the Longford Leader regarding the opening and the work that went into the project.

“Today is the new opening of our newly refurbished premises which is owned by Longford County Council and we have a long term lease on so we’re celebrating today,” 

“We’re already very enmeshed in the community, we're at the heart of the community,” said Eileen.

The building is health and safety approved and is an A- Rated building. It includes a wealth of resources including a holistic centre.

Also Read:Longford MEP sounds alarm on widening gap between farm and retail food prices

“It will allow us to expand our services and reach more people,” she concluded.

The Councillor for Granard Pádraig McNamara was present at the opening and said “I’m absolutely overwhelmed with the project here, the project is second to none, it’s a leading project I will say not only for Granard but for Longford,”

“I’m hoping that we will see more of these projects that will help more community services that are in the area,” he remarked, “And leave it to Eileen Finan, she’s second to none.”

Also Read: Pregnant woman to be sentenced for role in hijacking taxi and choking driver with seat belt

Councillor Turlough McGovern was also present, stating, “I’m on the board here with Lus na Gréine,”

“We purchased this building just over five years ago,” he explained, “The new premises were badly needed no fault of the one they were in and there's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes that people don't see.”

Senator Micheál Carrigy has been a part of the project since the beginning, he described the journey it took to get to today, “I suppose the vision came from Eileen as to what this could be, and to reimagine Lus na Gréine as a larger family resource centre,”

“I'm delighted that I've been able to work with other representatives in Longford to secure the building purchased by Longford County Council and get their support.” He said. 

Minister Emer Higgins spoke at the launch and with the leader saying, “This is the most incredible facility, i’m excited to be here it's lovely to meet such passionate and engaging staff members, the manager Eileen would blow you away with her commitment and passion for helping people,” 

Joe Flaherty TD closed the event and praised Eileen's contribution to the centre.

“She didn't emphasise enough because she never does, today is a triumph for Eileen,” he said 

He also spoke with the Longford Leader, “It’s a landmark moment for Granard,” he said “ It’s very much a blueprint for how community works should be done and of course it shines a light on the fact that we do need a similar facility in Longford town.”