Sod turned on new extension to Scéal shop in Lorrha

THE long awaited ‘sod’ was turned on the new extension to the Lorrha Scéal shop/community hall in Lorrha on Saturday last.

This was a truly massive occasion for the committee and for the people of not just Lorrha, but the entire parish. A big undertaking that has had plenty of twists and turns over the last five years or so.

The present Community Hall was built in 1994 and has housed the Scéal shop since its foundation in 2015. However, the space just isn’t big enough to facilitate all the activities that happen in the hall from time to time so this ambitious project in the small rural village is much needed and is expected to draw even more visitors to the ancient North Tipperary haven which is nestled close to the shores of Lough Derg.

Lorrha is a village that can attract visitors from all over the world that have an interest in history and scenery so it is only right and fitting that those visitors have a place to relax, unwind and enjoy a coffee after their sightseeing experience. The new build, which will be an extension to the present St Ruadhan’s Community Hall, will house a shop, tea rooms and craft centre. Scaffolding has been erected and building will commence immediately with contractors the Downey Brothers, Brian and Thomás from Terryglass, Engineer Derek Horan and Architect Paul Tiernan. The entire project is expected to be completed around the end of October all going according to plan, and at a estimated build cost of around €300,000.

After the turning of the sod was completed and with the rain threatening, the large attendance adjourned inside from the cool breeze as chairman Patrick Cahalan welcomed and thanked everyone for coming along.

He admitted that in recent times some people “rolled their eyes and shook their heads” when the extension was mentioned to them. He spoke of how Derek Coulter, architect, who drew up the plans, had “waited for the project to commence but went ahead and retired eighteen months ago. Paul Tiernan has replaced Derek,” said Patrick “and he is working alongside our secretary Daniel Flynn for the last fifteen months”.

Patrick explained in detail the many obstacles that the members encountered along the way and it seemed like when one door would open another would close in their face. From grant applications, fundraising, securing a loan, site difficulties etc. as the list seemed endless. However, the members stuck with it and he thanked all those who helped the committee to sort out all the various difficulties.
In thanking the media he mentioned how the RTE Nationwide coverage twelve months ago had given the group great exposure and the local papers – Midland Tribune and Nenagh Guardian - “have always given us as much coverage as we ask and I thank them for that,” he said.

The committee launched a fundraising drive “buy a brick” back some time ago but after a great start, the idea had to be put on hold. “We weren’t sure if the extension would go ahead or not but now that we are up and going again, so is the fundraising,” he said.
“The shop is open every day except Christmas Day,” he reminded all as he thanked all the volunteers who helped in keeping the doors open.

Michael Lowry TD said it was “a special, important community day for the parish”. He complimented and thanked the committee and in particular the officers, for “putting in a lot of work, the leadership and guidance they gave on this project”. He went on to praise the officers by acknowledging what he called their “commitment, dedication, and perseverance that they showed through the years. This has been a long journey with a lot of obstacles along the way as Patrick has pointed out,” he said.
The TD for Tipperary spoke about his struggle to secure the grant funding for the group. “The resilience of this group of people was what convinced me to seek funding from Minister Heather Humphreys and ask that Lorrha be put forward for funding under the Town and Village Renewal scheme,” he said.
“That took a bit of persuasion because it’s a small area and it’s a big investment but eventually we got the €250,000 grant which is a very substantial amount of money to spend in this area,” he said. Mr Lowry praised the officers for their very detailed grant application. “The reason we got this money was because of the application submitted. It was a very thorough, very meticulous, very organised way they did it,” he said.

In summing up, Mr. Lowry told the gathering that “above all, for the people of Lorrha, this is a community centre, not just a shop, it’s a meeting place, a focal point and it will ensure that going forward that the facilities in this village will remain here for the children we see here today,” he said. Anyone wishing to buy a brick can visit the Scéal shop in Lorrha or visit Lorrha Dorrha page and click on the buy a brick donate button and purchase through pay pal.