Coill Dubh Community Centre was buzzing, and a hub of activity yesterday evening for the Know your Community Event organised by Linda Walsh, Community Development Worker, with SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) from County Kildare LEADER Partnership, and was supported by Coill Dubh Residents Association and the North West Kildare Women’s Group.

Organisations from around the local area gathered together to share with the community the resources and the supports available to them.

The atmosphere was friendly inviting and there was a buzz in the air as the community groups gathered together to have a chat and network with each other. Naas Community Men’s Shed provided the music, giving everyone a lift.

KWETB (Had all their courses and information on display) , The Wheel (Discussed community development supports) , Maynooth ICA (Displayed their group activities) , KARE (Shared their Supports), Down Syndrome Ireland, Social Farming Ireland, Kildare Social Farming, Donadea CFR (First Aid Display and information on First Aid and the Community First Responders) , Allen Area Heritage Historical Society, Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park (Local Social Enterprise) , and An Garda Síochana Community Policing. (Recruitment and information stands).

The community groups had a chance to mingle and exchange ideas and projects, making connections for collaborations in the future. Some light refreshments were provided and the wonderful ladies from North West Kildare Women’s Group kept the whole crowd in line and made sure everyone was looked after.

Allen Area Heritage Historical Society had some wonderful local history and photograph displays for everyone’s viewing.

A number of programmes from County Kildare LEADER Partnership were in attendance too: SICAP Supporting Communities, SICAP Supporting Individuals Teams, LEADER, Caroline from Older Voices Kildare, Deirdre from HEADSUP Kildare, Paula & Martin from Kildare Small Jobs, Stefanie, the Traveller CE Scheme Co-Ordinator, Suzanne from the Rural Social Scheme, Paula from the Enterprise Skills Programme, and Martin Dunne The New Barrow Blueway CE Scheme Supervisor was there, sharing information recruiting for the Barrow Walking Tour Guides.

Karl Duffy from the LEADER Programme, was there to give information about the New Leader Programme 2023-2027, and to talk to all in attendance about the needs of community groups in North West Kildare.

Everyone agreed it was a wonderful opportunity to get together and a great way of meeting other groups and supports in the area, and there was a remark at the end that if Naas Community Men’s Shed hadn’t finished up playing the music – no one would have left! The atmosphere was so good !

Well done to all, and thanks to everyone who made the Know Your Community the successful event it was.

 

Contact: Linda Walsh SICAP Community Development Worker – 086-6080012 –  linda@countykildarelp.ie

Organisations in attendance:

SICAP, LEADER, Rural Social Scheme, Older Voices Kildare, Heads Up KIldare, Kildare Social Farming, Social Farming Ireland, Kildare Small Jobs, KARE, The WHEEL, ALONE, KWETB, BREDA Centre Johnstownbridge, GARDA Siochana, Coill Dubh AFC, Lullymore Heritage Park, Kildare Sports Partnership, Croí Laighean Credit Union (Coill Dubh), Seamus Cullen (Local Historian), Irish Cancer Society, Barrow Blueway at Monasterevin, Monasterevin Blueway Kayaking, Dawn Awakening (Local Business), St Kevin’s GAA, SEAI, I.M.S.A (Irish Mens Shed Association), Kildare Down Syndrome

Community Groups in Attendance:

Coill Dubh Residents Association, NWK Wome’s Group, Prosperous Community Association, Newtown Community Group, Allen Area Historical Group, Na Fianna Mens Shed, Naas Mens Shed, Cooleragh & Staplestown Mens Shed, Johnstownbridge Mens Shed, Tirmona AC, Allen and Surrounding Areas Group, Enfield Skate, Clane Mens Shed, Maynooth Mens Shed, Maynooth ICA, Timahoe Community Council, Timahoe Active Age, Doran Nurseries, Timahoe Senior Citizens, St Mochua’s Historical Society, Tir Na Mona, Brian Crehan (Kildare North Fianna Fail), Brendan Wyse (Local Councillor), Margaret Doherty (Local Author), Local Residents of Coill Dubh and Surrounding areas