Abbeyfeale is a town taking positive steps in 2018
ABBEYFEALE Community Council (ACC) was formed over 18 months ago with a view to creating an umbrella group for the community and making it easier for the county council and other agencies to interact with Abbeyfeale.
Maurice O’Connell is Chairperson of Abbeyfeale Community Council and he insists it is now an invaluable centre point in the community which continues to evolve into a company limited by guarantee with charitable status consisting of 30 members.
These members are predominately involved in several other voluntary groups and organisations throughout the community such as Town Park, Tidy Towns, Christmas Lights, Men’s Shed, Business Owners, GAA, Soccer, Rugby, Active Retirement, Glórach Theatre and Cinema to mention just a few which, when combined, is a valuable mix of experience and expertise.
In the past 12 to 18 months, Abbeyfeale Community Council has successfully lobbied for and sourced funding for numerous public projects such as new footpaths and street lighting between the soccer club and Great Southern Greenway (GSG) which is to create a continuous walkway from the Town Centre to the GSG.
A new Tourist Information Board in the Square, with an accompanying events calendar, town map and historical trail has also been a major success, as have been several heritage plaques to commemorate significant events or individuals at respective locations.
“Among these improvements is a technical and feasibility study on the Old Convent Building with a view to looking at opportunities for that location. The implementation of a town CCTV system is due to start shortly and will be connected to a greater countywide CCTV monitoring system,” said Maurice.
The creation of a specially designed community Christmas tree with over 4,500 lights is another positive introduction. Few issues are as pertinent these day as internet connectivity and the creation of a high-end website - interconnected with various social media platforms – will hopefully be in place within the next 6 months.
“The creating of a platform through Abbeyfeale Community Council meetings where individuals and groups can share information is always important. The supporting of each other’s ideas and projects so that the Community at large can benefit from such positive collaboration is vital. However, this would not be possible without the positive approach of so many level-headed people giving up their time to support their beloved community and enough praise cannot be given to such wonderful people and voluntary groups,” Maurice concluded.