Roscrea Community Action Group gain momentum

A newly formed local activist group in Roscrea are building momentum after emerging from the local community's response to the sudden closure of the Racket Hall Hotel in January.

Roscrea Community Action Group (RACG) were formed in the aftermath of the closure of the town's last functioning hotel, when it was repurposed to provide emergency accommodation for 160 people seeking international protection in Ireland.

Speaking to the Tribune this week, the group said they have identified several issues needing attention in Roscrea and plan to engage with government to advance the interests of people living and working in the heritage town.

PRO for the group, Roscrea woman Fiona Dunford, told the Tribune they identify as a “young, energised cross section of Roscrea residents ready to take on the development of Roscrea, by examining the existing needs of the town and actively work on each project to meet those needs.”

She said they want to set themselves apart from any “fractious groups currently visible in the town and are determined to prove their sole objective is to make Roscrea thrive again”.

The group meet on a weekly basis and have met with politicians including Tipperary Deputies Mattie McGrath (Ind), Alan Kelly (Lab), Michael Lowry (Ind) and Jackie Cahill (FF).

They have also met with Superintendent Ollie Baker and Inspector Andrew Lyons, travelled to Dáil Eireann to meet Deputies John Brady and Martin Browne (SF) and met with Government Departments, the Community Engagement Team and other stakeholders from different community groups in Roscrea.

They also work to keep issues in Roscrea in the media spotlight and have appeared on national media programmes including RTE's Upfront with Katie Hannon and a TV3 documentary by film makers 'Mind the Gap'.

They publish detailed minutes from their weekly meetings on their social media pages and encourage engagement from people in the community.

COMMUNITY HOTEL

Fiona Dunford said currently the priority question for the group is where is the community hotel model suggested for the former Pathé Hotel (Grant's/Damer Court) on Castle Street?

The proposal, which was first put forward by local Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Smith and party colleague, Deputy Jackie Cahill, received the backing of Minister Roderic O’Gorman.

“Across government parties there is a recognition of the value that the proposal for a community hotel model would represent to the people of Roscrea.

“The Government parties agree in principle to examine funding mechanisms that can be brought forward to support this proposal”, was Minister O'Gorman's opinion at the time the suggestion was first mooted.

RCAG met with Deputy Cahill and Cllr Smith on February 16th to discuss the closure of Racket Hall and asked for an update on their proposal by government.

Deputy Cahill and Cllr Smith outlined the the steps required to establish a community hotel model in Roscrea.
It will require an agreement from government to purchase the former hotel after an evaluation of the building by local authority.

The proposal requires the backing of Minister Heather Humphreys in relation to the renovation of the space and finally construction works to renovate the building.

Fiona Dunford said the RCAG group have attempted to contact Deputy Cahill and Cllr Smith several times since their February meeting for a further update, and were told the local elected representatives are “working closely” with Tánaiste, Micheál Martin to advance the proposal.

She said the group feel any developments related to the Castle Street premises “should be shared with the community”.

FUTURE PLANS

The group are also building a website. “It will provide a source of information and showcase all Roscrea has to offer. We have a wonderful town that needs footfall increased and by showcasing all our positives, including our wonderful tourist attractions, this in turn will contribute to the economic development of the town”, Fiona Dunford said.

“We're educating ourselves on the Town First Plan and engaging with the Town Team who are striving to make this wonderful vision a reality.

“RCAG also welcome the pre-election 'Meet The Candidates' event on May 20th in the Abbey Hall which will be hosted by RCDC, who are veterans in hosting this event and encourage the Roscrea people to support this event where you get to ask the tough questions”, she said.

RCAG founder member, James Gleeson, was also instrumental in establishing Roscrea's first Narcotics Anonymous group and has received the support and encouragement of all the members.

Roscrea Community Action Group welcome all input from local people and want to engage with local groups, businesses and people of all ages in the community. They can be reached online by email at roscreacommunityaction@ gmail.com or by messaging the Facebook page ‘Roscrea Community Action Group’.