By Dan Walsh at Boolavogue
Minister James Browne officially opened the Boolavogue Digital Innovation Hub Community Centre and Heritage Garden on Sunday deputising for Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, who apologised for not being able to attend but conveyed her congratulations and compliments to the committee and community on the completion of the project.
Barry Turner, Chairman of Boolavogue Development Group welcomed the attendance and said that the building had served as a school from 1890 until 1961, however, “the passage of time wasn’t kind to the building, and it became almost derelict.”
He said they sought government funding through the Rural Development department to “bring this building back into life”, €100,000 was secured and he acknowledged the support of Wexford County Council in providing a centre for “further education, remote working and training.”
Mr Turner thanked so many who helped with the project including the Development Group who came together in 2018, the Parish Committee and Fr. Murphy Centre Committee who ran a successful fundraising campaign, local contractors who carried out most of the work, the Department of Rural Development, Wexford County Council, District Manager Philip Knight, Liz Hore, Director of Services, Liz and Debbie Stanley from Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District Council offices in Gorey and Cathaoirleach, Cllr Pip Breen, who attended the old school before moving to the other side of the road when a new school was built in the early 1960’s.
Cllr Breen complimented everybody associated with the success of the project and expressed his personal satisfaction for involvement and assured the community that he is always available to support Boolavogue if further assistance is required in the future.
Minister Browne expressed the regret for unavailability of Minister Humphreys but conveyed her best wishes to the community. He complimented everybody associated with the success of the project and he acknowledged the good community spirit found in Boolavogue and promised any support needed in the future.
District Manager, Philip Knight, conveyed the compliments of Chief Executive, Tom Enright, in supporting the community and outlining how the development between Boolavogue, Wexford County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development worked together to get the project over the line.
The attendance included Minister James Browne, Deputy Paul Kehoe, Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cllrs Pip Breen, Donal Kenny and Willie Kavanagh, Philip Knight, District Manager, Liz Hore, Director of Services, Very Rev. James Butler, parish priest, who performed the blessing of the garden and Very Rev. William Cosgrave, P.P., Monageer.
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