Elaine Conroy
(Achonry Mullinabreena Community Enhancement Group)
We Shouted Go – The Development of Achonry Mullinabreena Community Enhancement Group
In 1988, writer John Healy, republished his 1968 publication, Death of an Irish Town, under a new title, No One Shouted Stop. Healy detailed the economic and social decline of life in Charlestown, Co. Mayo. However, his account describes the decline of many rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Certainly today, the advance of email communication, on-line shopping and banking, has contributed further to not only local economic decline but also to a sense of local community.
In the joint parishes of Achonry and Mullinabreena, we decided to shout Go. Within the last ten years Achonry and Mullinabreena has witnessed the closure of a factory, a pub and restaurant, a shop and a post office. Although the economic value these businesses brought to the area is missed, it is also the opportunity they afforded the community as meeting spaces that were also missed. In 2017, one member of the community called a meeting to organise a litter pick in the area. On completion of their objective, the community sought to not only to maintain their achievement but also create another reason to come together as a community. From a simple litter pick, the Achonry Mullinabreena Community Enhancement Group was created.
Over the last three years, the group has gone from strength to strength, with several successful grant applications allowing us to continue our work to enhance our community. We have completed several projects, among them, photography and heritage exhibitions, a heritage trail and street lightning. Current projects include the construction of a pathway to one of our numerous heritage sites, Knocknashee Hillfort, and the refurbishment of an early 19th century schoolhouse, with the intention of establishing a heritage centre and community hub there. This talk will outline some of the many community heritage initiatives completed by the Achonry Mullinabreena Community Enhancement Group as we continue to keep “Going”.
In the joint parishes of Achonry and Mullinabreena, we decided to shout Go. Within the last ten years Achonry and Mullinabreena has witnessed the closure of a factory, a pub and restaurant, a shop and a post office. Although the economic value these businesses brought to the area is missed, it is also the opportunity they afforded the community as meeting spaces that were also missed. In 2017, one member of the community called a meeting to organise a litter pick in the area. On completion of their objective, the community sought to not only to maintain their achievement but also create another reason to come together as a community. From a simple litter pick, the Achonry Mullinabreena Community Enhancement Group was created.
Over the last three years, the group has gone from strength to strength, with several successful grant applications allowing us to continue our work to enhance our community. We have completed several projects, among them, photography and heritage exhibitions, a heritage trail and street lightning. Current projects include the construction of a pathway to one of our numerous heritage sites, Knocknashee Hillfort, and the refurbishment of an early 19th century schoolhouse, with the intention of establishing a heritage centre and community hub there. This talk will outline some of the many community heritage initiatives completed by the Achonry Mullinabreena Community Enhancement Group as we continue to keep “Going”.
Originally, my background is in hospitality but I have always had a keen interest in history. I began studying archaeology at NUIG and achieved a diploma in this field in 2006. I returned to education again in 2013 at GMIT Mayo Campus and achieved a BSC (Hons.), First Class in Heritage Studies in 2017. I was also the recipient of the Dolores Horken Memorial Award in my final year. I have a keen interest in local history and became a member of the Achonry Mullinabreena Community Enhancement Group shortly after its establishment in 2017 helping to raise awareness of the wealth of heritage within the community. I have contributed articles on Achonry to the Sligo Field Club Journal. I am now working as a tour guide at Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon.