Ennis-based Rose Hally has taken up a senior role with Community Finance Ireland, which provides finance to the community and voluntary sector. Former head of business with Bank of Ireland in Clare, Rose joins the team as client relationship executive covering the Western corridor.
Community Finance Ireland is one of the largest providers of finance to the community and voluntary sector on the island of Ireland over the last 20 years and has up to €100 million available in funding.
To date, the group has funded more than 400 community and volunteer organisations across a range of sectors and projects, including enterprise and workspace projects, rural development projects, childcare schemes, housing associations, community transport, energy and environmental initiatives, sports and recreation facilities and social enterprises that are delivering an immediate social impact to their community or area but are struggling to secure finance from traditional bank lenders.
Rose has held senior management roles with Bank of Ireland over the last 20 years. During this time, Rose has also been actively involved within the community, taking on voluntary roles in many diverse organisations, working with groups such as Clare Youth Service, St Flannan’s College, Special Olympics Ireland, Ennis Chamber of Commerce and Ennis Rotary Club. She was also a founding member of Clare Ladies Cycling Club.
Rose Hally said, “I believe my background will allow me to understand the needs of community and social enterprise and support them in achieving their objectives for their projects within their communities. Community Finance Ireland continues to grow in order to meet the needs of the thousands of community and voluntary groups throughout Ireland who are seeking to raise finance for their worthy projects.
“Community Finance Ireland recently approved their first investment in County Clare, to Killaloe-Ballina Family Resource Centre, who are being assisted as they transition to a new premises in the town. We are keen to build on this work and many other investments in Clare and elsewhere over the coming years.”
A key element for organisations that partner with Community Finance Ireland is the relatively straightforward loan application and approval process that is involved. It is the aim of Community Finance Ireland to ensure that the services provided by community and voluntary organisation are not restricted, due to a lack of finance.”
Donal Traynor, associate director of Community Finance (Ireland), said, “Borrowing from Community Finance Ireland has the added benefit that it creates a virtuous circle for the community enterprises, as all profits are retained and recycled for re-investment, which increases the level of available funds for other community organisations.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.