The Afternoon Tea ladies from Athboy Active Retirement Group ...... Una McCann, Triona Kelly, Betty Masterson, Joan Gargan, Jo McElhinney, Vera Spooner.

Tea party marks reopening of Athboy community centre

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The Afternoon Tea ladies from Athboy Active Retirement Group ...... Una McCann, Triona Kelly, Betty Masterson, Joan Gargan, Jo McElhinney, Vera Spooner. ENDA CASEY

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The Athboy Development Forum Committee CLG Volunteer Board Of Directors. Back, Cllr David Gilroy, Keith Mulvey, Gerry Cooke, Paudie Miggin; front, Assumpta Kelly, Ann Lane, Jackie Leavy, Nicky Bowman, Teresa Coleman. ENDA CASEY

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Assumpta Kelly, Athboy Convent Community Centre chairperson, Gerry Cooke, Athboy Person of the Year, Cllr David Gilroy, chairperson , Athboy Development Forum, Deputy Johnny Guirke. Photos: Enda Casey ENDA CASEY

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MAD FOR TEA ..... Antoinette Gwillim (Kells), Andrea Campbell, Mary Englishby (Athboy) at the Athboy ICA and friends table. ENDA CASEY

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Sarah Beirne, Caoimhe Leavy, Matt Leavy. ENDA CASEY

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Gerry Cooke speaks to the crowd with Nicky Bowman, Teresa Coleman and Cllr. David Gilroy. ENDA CASEY

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The Tea Party gathering under the new Athboy Convent Community Centre Gym roof. ENDA CASEY

Noelle Finegan

Published: Mon 2 Sep 2024, 3:35 PM

The Athboy Development Forum (ADF) recently celebrated the completion of extensive renovations to the main hall at the Athboy Convent Community Centre. The works, which included a new roof, windows, and doors, were made possible through funding from the Community Centres Investment Fund provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development. As part of the celebration, the hall was officially reopened by Gerry Cooke, a Director of the Athboy Development Forum who is also the current 'Athboy Community Person of the Year'.

Gerry was joined on stage by fellow directors, Assumpta Kelly, chairperson of the Convent Community Centre and local councillor, David Gilroy, chairperson of the ADF, to unveil the commemorative plaque. The theme for the event, 'Connect at the Centre' saw the hall filled with local clubs and groups who enjoyed a lively tea party accompanied by music from Matt Leavy, reinforcing the centre’s role as a hub of community events and activities. In addition to these latest developments, the Athboy Convent Community Centre is an accessible building with a registered Changing Places facility, a remote working hub, conference rooms and spaces designed to support clubs and community groups.

Teresa Coleman, Director of ADF, spoke about the building’s history, entrusted to the community by the Mercy Sisters when a new school was built. Over the subsequent years and through the work of the ADF, the property was transferred to Meath County Council who now lease it to the ADF as a community centre. Cllr Gilroy talked about the significance of volunteer involvement in these efforts.

"ADF is run by a group of volunteer directors who give of their time and expertise to ensure Athboy is well-served with community buildings both here at the Convent Community Centre and on Main Street with St James Hall," he said. The event marked not only the completion of the renovations but also provided an opportunity for clubs and groups from Athboy and its surrounds to get together and “connect at the centre”.