About Us
A Brief History of Castlelyons Community Centre
In 1969 Castlelyons GAA Club purchased land in the centre of the village which they developed into a sports field. As they intended to erect dressing rooms it was suggested to examine the possibility of building a community cntre to cater for the needs of all sections of the community. Representatives of all the clubs within the parish and all the parishioners were invited to attend a public meeting held in Castlelyons on ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂSeptember 30th 1971.
This meeting welcomed the idea, and a number of committees were set up. One was a structural committee whose function was to examine several centres and suggest the size, type of building most suitable. Members of the Structural Committee were Paddy Healy, Patsy McCarthy, Michael Sheehan, Douglas Burgoyne, Florence Waters, Jerry Barry, Frank Hegarty and Mr. J. Nester, of Malachy Walsh & Partners.
Members of the Fundraising Committee: Stephen Randles, Castlelyons Creamery. Ann O’Brien, Castlelyons Pipe Band. Sheila O’Donoghue, Muinitr na Tire and I.C.A..Patrick O’Regan, Britway. John Foughy, Kilcor. Tom Joe O’Riordan, Ballyarra. Angela Barry, Muintir na Tire. Patrick O’Leary, Castlelyons. Tom Carroll, Coolagown Fund raising schemes were organized, parish collection, appeals to emigrants, firms etc., carol singing, concerts and festivals.
One scheme which proved very successful was a ‘Cattle Rearing Scheme’. The committee who organized the cattle scheme were William Leahy, Martin Dorgan, Michael Sheehan, Florence Waters, Patrick Crowley, Tom J Riordan, John O’Brien (Crough), John Fouhy and Jack Kearney. Cattle were purchased by the Community Centre Committee and reared free of charge by the farmers over the winter months. In the spring these animals were sold with all profits going into the Community Centre kitty. Cattle Rearing Scheme: 1970 – 1971, 30 cattle were purchased. 1971-1972, 60 Cattle were purchased. 1972-1973, 71 Cattle were purchased. 1973-1974, 25 Cattle were purchased.
Construction began on the Community Centre in late 1971. Voluntary work was used as far as possible. Exactly 12 months and 4 days after the inaugural meeting the first meeting was held in the Centre. This date was October 5th 1972. Cost of the building £12,000. A dance license was obtained on the 6th March 1973.
A Brief History of Castlelyons Community Centre
In 1969 Castlelyons GAA Club purchased land in the centre of the village which they developed into a sports field. As they intended to erect dressing rooms it was suggested to examine the possibility of building a community cntre to cater for the needs of all sections of the community. Representatives of all the clubs within the parish and all the parishioners were invited to attend a public meeting held in Castlelyons on ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂSeptember 30th 1971.
This meeting welcomed the idea, and a number of committees were set up. One was a structural committee whose function was to examine several centres and suggest the size, type of building most suitable.
Members of the Structural Committee were Paddy Healy, Patsy McCarthy, Michael Sheehan, Douglas Burgoyne, Florence Waters, Jerry Barry, Frank Hegarty and Mr. J. Nester, of Malachy Walsh & Partners.
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Members of the Fundraising Committee: Stephen Randles, Castlelyons Creamery. Ann O’Brien, Castlelyons Pipe Band. Sheila O’Donoghue, Muinitr na Tire and I.C.A..Patrick O’Regan, Britway. John Foughy, Kilcor. Tom Joe O’Riordan, Ballyarra. Angela Barry, Muintir na Tire. Patrick O’Leary, Castlelyons. Tom Carroll, Coolagown
Fund raising schemes were organized, parish collection, appeals to emigrants, firms etc., carol singing, concerts and festivals.
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One scheme which proved very successful was a ‘Cattle Rearing Scheme’. The committee who organized the cattle scheme were William Leahy, Martin Dorgan, Michael Sheehan, Florence Waters, Patrick Crowley, Tom J Riordan, John O’Brien (Crough), John Fouhy and Jack Kearney. Cattle were purchased by the Community Centre Committee and reared free of charge by the farmers over the winter months. In the spring these animals were sold with all profits going into the Community Centre kitty.
Cattle Rearing Scheme: 1970 – 1971, 30 cattle were purchased. 1971-1972, 60 Cattle were purchased. 1972-1973, 71 Cattle were purchased. 1973-1974, 25 Cattle were purchased.
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Construction began on the Community Centre in May 1972. Voluntary work was used as far as possible. Exactly 12 months and 4 days after the inaugural meeting the first meeting was held in the Centre. This date was October 5th 1972. Cost of the building £12,000. A dance licence was obtained on the 6th March 1973.
Official Opening - 1972
The official opening of the Community Centre took place on June 10th 1973. To celebrate the opening Cork and Limerick played a senior hurling game refereed by Derry O’Brien Cobh.
Original Committee
Back Row L to R; Florence Waters, Donal Howard, Brid O’Keffee ( nee Healy), Pat Crowley and Matt Hegarty.
Front row L to R; David Hegarty and Pat McCarthy.
Missing from Photo: Michael Sheehan, Tom Carroll(RIP) & Eleanor Healy(RIP)
Committee: Jack Kearney, Douglas Burgoyne, J.J. Riordan, William Leahy, Tom O’Connell, Patsy McCarthy, David Hegarty, Jerry Barry, and Pat Crowley.
In February 1973 it was decided to add Squash Courts. These were built in late 1973 and officially opened on 15 May 1974. The subscription was gents £10, ladies £8 and family £15.
William Leahy was appointed caretaker of the Community Centre in January 1974. A badminton club was established in December 1974.
It was decided to add dressing rooms and a lounge bar to the squash courts in May 1977. The bar licence was granted on 14 August 1978. The official opening of this extension was the 4 November 1978.
Many fund-raising schemes were organized during the years. Some of the most successful were: A two-hour variety show ‘Spring Fever’ performed each spring over 6-8 nights. This commenced in 1981 and continued up to 1988. These shows raised many thousands of pounds and were a great success both financially and socially.
It gave an opportunity to many talented local artists to display their talents namely Sean Barry, Maurice Carroll, Anthony O’Regan, Bernie Hegarty, Enda Murray, Angela Hegarty, Mary Hegarty, Deirdre Murray, Seamus Sexton, Cal McCarthy, Donal Howard, Michael O’Riordan, John Joe Crowley.
Similarly, numerous plays such as John B. Keane’s ‘The Field’, ‘Many Young Men of Twenty’ and ‘Sive to name a few ,were extremely successful, showcasing talent both on the stage and behind the scenes.
A ‘500 Club Draw’ was started in July 1984 with a special prize of a car which was won by James Ronayne. It continued through 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989. This contributed handsomely in clearing the debt on the centre.
In 1988 a social employment scheme was availed of and Sean O’Suliivan was employed for 12 months as general cleaner. A second term was availed of and Bill O’Mahony was employed.
The front portion of the centre was slated in 1988 by Pat Waters. The main roof of the hall and squash courts were felted that year. This work was supervised and done by John Leech ably assisted by Tom O’Connell, Florence Waters, Tom Joe Riordan, Donal Howard and Matt Hegarty.
Cards were held on Thursday evening and were run by Florence Waters, William Leahy, Mary O’ Sullivan and Bridie Milward. The shop was run by Mary O’Sullivan and her mother up until 1985. There after Bridie Milward and Mary ran the shop. Continuing the high level of service, one had come to expect.
Most clubs held their meetings in the Community Centre. The youth club were active every Friday evening over the winter months. parties, children parties, discos, dances, set dancing and public meetings were held. Monies raised went towards the upkeep of the Community Centre.