Ceremony replenishes the soul of Roslevan

***The year in review***

THE growing population of Roslevan were blessed with the official launch of a new community facility this year. Although in use for some time, November saw the dedication of the new Church of Our Lady in Roslevan and official opening of the refurbished Fahy Hall.

Bishop of Killaloe Kieran O’Reilly gave the blessing at the church while Mayor of Ennis Peter Considine cut the ribbon on Fahy Hall.
The project, which cost approximately €600,000, was first envisaged six years ago to cater for the increasing numbers in the Doora Barefield parish.
“This new facility has been the net result of many years of painstaking planning on the part of local people on the pastoral council. And the good will from the community has been just astounding by way of financial support for this project,” said Fr Jerry Carey at the time.
The history of the project goes back to 2005 with the appointment of the late Fr McNamara as parish priest in Doora Barefield, leading to the establishment of pastoral councils in Doora, Barefield and Roslevan.
Roslevan Pastoral Council considered the provision of community facilities a priority and the redevelopment of Fahy Hall was seen as vital as the parish’s housing population increased.
Doora Barefield is one of the largest rural parishes in the Diocese of Killaloe, stretching 16 miles from Barefield in the north to Doora in the south. Roslevan is situated in the centre of the parish, witnessing a major growth in housing and population in the past 15 years. House numbers have increased from 300 in the mid-90s to over 1,500.
Six years after the idea was first put forward, in June of last year work began on creating the new community centre and chapel by Galvin Construction from Barefield.
The new facility now includes a spacious hall, meeting room, kitchen and other services. The chapel holds 80 people, and the adjoining hall can be accessed with sliding doors for larger ceremonies and events giving a total seating capacity of 230 people.
Another community looking to improve facilities for its increasing population is Clarecastle. Clarecastle Community Development Ltd has formed with a view to developing the village and its environs.
In October they were granted planning permission for the development of a playground in the village. It is estimated that around €30,000 will need to be raised locally for the project, with the development company hoping to secure the remaining funding from Clare County Council and LEADER.
The playground plan follows a comprehensive survey of local people in Clarecastle, including the national school’s 400 school children to see what they would like to see in the village. Top of the children’s wish list was a place for them to play. The playground is set to be situated at Clare Commons, at the rear of Power’s car park.
The development of the playground is one of a number of projects planned by the organisation for the future improvement of the village.
The development company has concluded a lengthy consultation process with the people and organisations of Clarecastle through, which it aimed to establish the community’s future vision for the village. Using the feedback it received, Clarecastle Community Development Ltd plans to put together a development plan for the next few years but in the meantime, six projects have been identified as being of significant importance to the community.
Other plans include the development of a community hub/centre, a focal point for the village with new and improved facilities for all. Other projects include drawing up a register of local businesses, the development of a farmers market, setting up a community garden and developing a river walkway.