The ACM Community
Centre
ACM was established as the Millennium Project Group in 1998
by the Castleconnell Community Council (CCDC) and immediately set about the
task of developing a Community Centre in the parish. The existing building at
14-15 Castle Street, Castleconnell was purchased in 2001. The building owner
is ACM Community Development Society Limited which is a Community Owned Co-Operative
Society (approximately 500 parish shareholders). The original founding members
of the Millennium Project Group were John Mac Namara, Pat Dempsey, Lettie Sloane,
Tom Power & Nancy Holt.
By the way, ACM stands for Ahane, Castleconnell and Montpelier!
The local community owns the ACM Co-Operative Society which in turn owns &
manages the Community Centre building. Each community shareholding member of
ACM has one vote and a Management Committee is elected each year at the ACM
Annual General Meeting. The Management Committee members work on a voluntary
basis with principal officers retiring from their posts after no later than
3 consecutive years in such posts.
The Community Centre provides the following facilities to the
community - meeting rooms, community secretarial service, typing, photocopying
and internet access. This service is available to all local community groups
and private individuals. Other activities include day and evening classes, children's
santa party and the Castleconnell St. Patrick's day parade.
Photographed below is the Management Committee resposible for
the opening of Phase 2 of the ACM Centre on 17th March 2003. Phase 2 involved
the complete removal of the roof structure and replacement with original stone
slates, renovation of the overall internal structure, the restoration of the
original streetscape (half door and windows) and the restoration and opening
of the Parlour. Committee members are as follows:
Back Row L/R: Majella Reidy (Asst Treasurer),
Nancy Holt (Asst Secretary), Cora Moran (Secretary), Mary Golden (Treasurer),
Pat Dempsey (Vice Chairman), Angela Dempsey (Festival Committee), Bernie Murnane
(Festival Committee) and Catherine O'Doherty (Local Events Co-Ordinator).
Front Row L/R: Dillie Edmonds, Ann Rylands,
John Mac Namara (Chairman), Phylla Lynch (Local Events Co-Ordinator), Ena Walsh
(Registrar) and Lettie Sloane.
