In Pictures: Local children put finishing touches to Laghey Sensory Garden

A new sensory garden has opened in Laghey, with local schoolchildren coming together to complete the planting. Click on the arrows to see Siobhan McGowan's photos:

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There was a wonderful, friendly atmosphere at the event, setting the tone for what promises to be a suite of fantastic community facilities in the heart of Laghey, beside the church. This will include a playground, a multi-use games area (MUGA), development of the parish hall, and enhancement of the riverbank area.

Committee member Desmond Kee explains: “We came together as a committee in 2019. Our objective at the time was to look at what we could do for the community and what facilities they wanted. 

“From when my own first child was born 25 years ago, I felt that a playground was needed.

“We carried out surveys and a couple of things came up - the playground, a social area where people could meet, sporting and community facilities for all ages. We refined that into upgrading the church hall, and developing a sensory garden and playground. The Church of Ireland in Laghey gave their agreement for us to use their property to develop these facilities.”

Over the next few years, much work was done behind the scenes to go through various necessary procedures such as securing planning permission and submitting funding.

“The first funding that came through was for the sensory garden,” says Desmond. “The next one is for the playground and MUGA. We have some funding for energy saving measures too.”

The committee felt it would be appropriate to invite local children to help with the final planting stage of the sensory garden, which is now complete.

Desmond says: “We had a great morning. It was lovely weather and the adults involved enjoyed it as much as the kids. People met other people that they didn’t previously know and a lot of different conversations were had, which is what this is all about. 

“We are now in the process of defining our playground and our MUGA, and we hope to go to tender in the next couple of weeks, and to have something available for early next year.”

Desmond expressed his thanks to fellow committee members, Howard Bustard, Martha Armstrong, David Kee and Thomas Given. He also thanks Donegal County Council, the Parish of Laghey, Cllr Micheál Naughton, and Daire Quinn of Pier Force Construction.

A charity auction was held recently to raise funds for expenses not included in the grant funding.

“We thank the community for their support of the auction,” says Desmond. “Funding doesn’t cover things like architect’s fees, design, insurance etc so we had to fundraise for that. 

“We are very appreciative of the generous support from the community.”