Tag Archives: Breda McNamara

CELEBRATIONS are taking place in Tulla, after the Cnoc na Gaoithe Cultural Centre was honoured nationally as a model for excellence in town and village renewal.  “It’s like achieving a Michelin Star,” said Breda McNamara, Chairperson of the Cnoc na Gaoithe Development Committee. “We are so delighted that what has been done here has been recognised. The buildings were donated by the Sisters of Mercy over a decade ago and they have been the gift that keeps on giving. We’re so grateful to the order and thrilled that the centre has been able to revitalise the heart of Tulla. To have that recognised on the national stage is very satisfying. It’s recognition for a job well done.” Last week at Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) All Ireland Community and Council Awards, Cnoc na Gaoithe picked received the national award for ‘Best Town and Village Regeneration’ project. It was chosen from a shortlist that also included the Ballinamore Area in Leitrim, #WeAreAthleague in Roscommon and the enhancement …

A NEW performance space and auditorium at Cnoc na Gaoithe in Tulla has been officially opened by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys. The opening of the multi-functional performance space and auditorium, at the Tulla Comhaltas Cultural Centre marks the culmination of huge local efforts to redevelop a landmark site in the town centre. The regeneration project restored the old convent building and developed the facility that will further enhance and support the town’s rich music and cultural heritage. The project received €900,000 in funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF). The centre is situated in the heartland of East Clare, on the famous Hill of Tulla, an area renowned for traditional Irish music, song, and dance. The name ‘Cnoc na Gaoithe’ translates in English as the Windswept Hill, made famous by the late Kerry man Bryan MacMahon in his song ‘Lament for Tommy Daly’ in praise of the great Tulla and Clare goalkeeper, Dr Tommy …

CNOC na Gaoithe in Tulla was lauded by the Minister Heather Humphreys as an outstanding example of how local communities can harness support to bring old buildings back into use. The Minister for Rural and Community Development stopped off in East Clare during her whistle-stop tour of the county last Thursday (July 29). As part of the national ‘Our Rural Future Roadshow’, the minister saw a range of projects which are being supported by funding from her department. At the Cnoc na Gaoithe centre, where Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are redeveloping the old convent and primary school building into a cultural hub, Minister Humphreys was treated to a tour of the work to-date as well as a flavour of the rich musical traditional of the area. “What I’ve seen here is absolutely fantastic,” Minister Humphreys told The Champion. “What strikes me most is community. Community, working with local authority, and realising their ambitions, identifying what they want to do in their …