From GAA clubs to playgrounds: Breakdown of €720,000 in Leitrim community loans
Community Finance Ireland has revealed some of the Leitrim organisations to benefit from its lending, supporting projects ranging from sports facilities and playgrounds to community centres and environmental initiatives.
Almost €720,000 has been lent to community organisations across Co Leitrim by Community Finance Ireland over the past 25 years, helping to fund a wide range of local development projects. The organisation, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, has provided details of several Leitrim groups that have benefited from its social finance lending, including Fenagh Handball Club, Kiltubrid GAA Club, The Glens Centre and Mohill Park Sports and Leisure.
Among the projects supported was the installation of energy efficiency measures at Fenagh Community Centre, where funding was provided to Fenagh Development Company Ltd for improvements including solar panels, insulation and LED lighting. North Leitrim Glens Development Company Ltd also received financial assistance towards the completion of renovations to the Green Room at The Glens Centre in Manorhamilton.
Sporting organisations have been among the beneficiaries, with Fenagh Handball Club receiving bridging finance for a Sports Capital grant towards the construction of a new 40x20 handball alley beside its existing 60x30 facility.
Kiltubrid GAA Club also accessed funding to facilitate the completion of improvement works at its club grounds. In Gortletteragh, the local development association received bridging finance for LEADER funding towards the construction of a children's playground.
Mohill Park Sports and Leisure was another recipient, accessing bridging finance for a LEADER grant to help complete the development of a community building incorporating a gym and meeting space. The Community Wetlands Forum also received working capital to support its day-to-day operations, including salary costs, training programmes and project management activities.
The details were provided to the Leitrim Observer following enquiries about how the organisation's lending has benefited communities across the county.
Community Finance Ireland confirmed that while it could identify some of the organisations supported and the purposes of their loans, individual loan amounts could not be disclosed for confidentiality reasons. The organisation, which began operating in 2001 as the Ulster Community Investment Trust, has since grown into an all-island social finance provider.
Over the past 25 years, it has provided €134 million in social finance to more than 925 community organisations across Ireland. Operating as a charity and social enterprise, Community Finance Ireland provides lending to community groups, sports clubs and social enterprises to help them develop facilities, deliver projects and support local communities.
Its 25th anniversary was marked at a special event in Leinster House hosted by Deputy Erin McGreehan. The €720,000 figure represents lending across Co Leitrim over the organisation's 25-year history, rather than funding awarded in a single year.