Lorrha community raises concerns over the uncertain future of its local shop

Members of SCÉAL community group have held a meeting with Tipperary TD Michael Lowry in Lorrha over the uncertain future of extension plans for the village’s only shop.

Deputy Lowry was informed about the ongoing challenges being faced by the voluntary organisation in completing a vital extension project at St Ruadhán’s Hall which would ensure a permanent home for the SCÉAL shop in the village.

Established in 2016 in response to the closure of the last shop in the village, SCÉAL (Social Community Enterprise for the Advancement of Lorrha / Rathcabbin) has evolved over the last six years to manage a seven-day per week community shop in St Ruadhán’s Hall, and to promote the cultural and historical background of the parish.

In 2019, grant funding of €149,000 was allocated to the project from the Department of Rural & Community Development.

However, the onset of the pandemic and spiralling construction costs have delayed the project and the grant funding has expired, despite the best efforts of the SCÉAL committee to retain it.

Deputy Lowry was informed about latest efforts to secure a €249,000 grant under the Department’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme, and the extension project has been selected as one of five to be put forward for consideration by Tipperary County Council.

If this application is unsuccessful, it’s likely that the plans will have to be shelved and all local fundraising donations returned to the donors.

Deputy Lowry assured members of the SCÉAL committee that he’ll continue to raise the funding issue with Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural & Community Development, in the weeks ahead.

He remains cautiously optimistic that a solution can be found, and the committee thanks him for his efforts in highlighting this issue.

Chair of SCÉAL Patrick Cahalan outlined the urgency in finding a funding resolution.

“It was a significant disappointment earlier this year when our efforts to retain vital grant funding were unsuccessful. SCÉAL has done tremendous work since 2016 from our base in Lorrha Hall, but we urgently need financial assistance in establishing a permanent home,” he said.

Mr Cahalan said that, like many rural villages, Lorrha had experienced a steady decline of services in recent decades, and the establishment of a community shop was a necessity in providing for people, young and old, in our community.

“We’d like to thank Michael Lowry TD and local councillor Michael O’Meara for meeting with the committee, and we hope that our efforts will not be forced to fall by the wayside in the weeks and months ahead,” he said.