Milestone for Clady Hall with first phase opening

A COMMUNITY drive to get Clady Hall back in use marked a major milestone at the weekend as the first phase opening took place.

Locals were invited along on Sunday last to view the work that has been completed in the first phase of the project which includes the refurbishment of the kitchen and meeting space, a new lobby area and toilet block.

Clady Hall Board of Directors and Development Committee were delighted to welcome the community to the Phase One opening which was the culmination of many months of hard work to get this stage of the project over the line.

Secretary of the Development Committee, Noreen McManus said: "The community members who came along to the opening were delighted to once again have a space to gather and many shared recollections of time passed in the hall including tales from dances, bingo and even making their communion there in the 50’s! Many commented on the high quality of workmanship and warm and inviting decor."

The building works for phase one were carried out by Mulvaney Contractors and overseen by Foreman David Gordon. This phase was made possible by funding from the Community Centre Investment Fund from the Department of Rural and Community Affairs.

"We are also indebted to the community who contributed a huge portion funds via various fundraising events. Clady Hall has also been supported by many local businesses and county councillors and we are so grateful for all these donations. We could not have completed this stage without their help," added Noreen.

"The committee looks forward to progressing to phase two in early 2025 and are delighted to have secured funding from the Town Village Renewal Scheme to complete this phase. When complete, this will offer full use of the main hall and stage and will be a huge benefit to the whole community."

Previously the local parish hall, the former Dunderry Hall closed in 2016 due to health and safety issues. After a lengthy process, the hall was acquired from the Diocese of Meath by the community and efforts have been continuing over a number of years to get the hall back into use and once again to become a community hub.

The development committee leading the project was keen to come up with name that would reflect all three areas that the hall will serve- Dunderry, Robinstown and Kilbride. They settled on the name Clady Hall inspired by the Clady river and the hall was rebranded as Clady Hall in 2023.