Attymass community just a kick away from €12,000 target

Attymass community just a kick away from €12,000 target

The small rural parish of Attymass with a population of just 479 houses are just a kick away from reaching their €12,000 to help build a new community centre in a matter of weeks. Members of Attymass Community Centre Fundraising Committee were in high spirits early on Tuesday 3 August morning as they painted another section on their target board. To date €10,500 of their ambitious €12,000 target for their contribution towards the Leader grant of €177,350 to help build their new community space.

Louise McHugh rom the fundraising group commented “We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received not just from the parish but by the whole community in North Mayo and the world wide Attymass Diaspora. We have a massive 180 sponsor names from families as far away as Australia, Canada and New Zealand on our giant granite plaque which has been kindly sponsored by Conor Ginty of Corrimbla Stone. The wall of sponsors will take pride of place in the entrance to the new centre and is to be unveiled at the official opening in September. Tony and Lawrence Hennigan from the Mayo Manchester Tourism and Business group have been helping us spread the word around the globe and it has certainly worked.

To help them celebrate being so close to their target they enlisted the help of Tony and Lawrence to help them mark the milestone. The two brothers whose parents were born in the parish and own a cottage in the community.

Lawrence commented “We might have been born in Manchester, but Attymass is where our heart is and we were delighted to be involved in such a great community project, the committee are full of life and enthusiasm and we will continue to help play our small part in supporting them. It would be great to see the Attymass Diaspora around the globe help them reach their target before Mayo lift the Sam Maguire in September.”

The brothers were joined by Attymass native and Triple World Irish Dancing Champion Stephen Gallagher (11) and his sister Shannon, also a successful Irish dancer, along with neighbours and friends joined in the celebrations. The two dancers have recently been involved in the hugely successful 6 Day Mayo Manchester Tradfest.

Work has already commenced on the redevelopment of the “old school” in Attymass which was first built in 1879. Fundraising efforts are still underway to achieve this ambitious target and the small group of volunteers would love to hear from anyone who can support them in their endeavours.

Their next fundraising campaign is a Monster Raffle with ten fabulous prizes, which will take place on Friday, 11th September 2015. Tickets are available from committee members or if anyone are willing to sell tickets on their behalf contact Louise 087 9582965 or Elaine 087 9827111.

For more information contact them through their facebook page Attymass Community Centre or their twitter account or email attymasscommunitycentre@gmail.com for more info log onto www.mayomanchester.com