'95
The brochure ‘Aistear InisCealtra – a Journey Through Time’ contained the details and design of the Aistear as well as highlighting various means wherein its construction could be financially supported.
At the same time as the brochure was being prepared and produced, the company InisCealtra Community Development Ltd. was being formed. Some of the Community Council members became directors and Clare County Council were also represented. This was to ensure that the local authority’s investment was protected in the long term. The memorandum and articles were drawn up and the Company became the legal trustees of the field. The main object of the Company is to develop, co-ordinate and control the planning and development of the park and to hold it and maintain it as a green area for the community. The members willingly took on the responsibility.
The legal aspects of the transfer were being dealt with simultaneously so that by late autumn most of the criteria that were required to comply with the conditions of the Urban & Village Renewal Scheme had been fulfilled.
In November 1995, the brochure was launched to a packed Community Hall by Mr. Donal Carey, T.D. and Minister for Western Development and Rural Renewal in the company of Mr. Ciaran Lynch, Clare County Council and Mr. Donal Griffin, FÁS.
Prior to the launch, the attendance heard an up-to-date report on the progress of the fundraising campaign. Support had come from a multiplicity of sources, namely Coillte, local groups, clubs and associations and individuals in and outside the community at large. The most significant news was that the Rectory Field was in community ownership. In the ensuing excitement, teas and refreshments were served and discussions continued long into the night.
The following morning, a delegation from the Company travelled to the U.S.A. as part of the fundraising campaign, where they were graciously accommodated and assisted by Fr. Liam Minogue R.I.P., a native of the parish. Fr. Liam introduced the members to his own parishioners and to many others. Fundraising events were organised and some months later a cheque from these events was presented by Matt Mulhaire, New York to the Company’s treasurer, Liam Flannery.
Following the launch of the brochure, the first phase of the construction of the Aistear began. This involved the planting of trees, construction of rail fencing and the planting of a willow wall the length of the field inside the boundary fence. The willow trees were sponsored by Coillte and became a natural resource from which other willow walls and creative endeavours were sourced.
Initially it was thought that the Aistear could be completed in three phases, but the financial restrictions that emerged prevented that, so that the development was completed in four distinct phases. Later that year, a telephone message arrived from Minister Donal Carey to contact his office. He had secured £25,000 from the Department of the Taioseach’s Reconciliation Fund for the development of the Aistear. It was the 22nd of December, 1995, just a couple of days before Christmas and the significance of this welcome gift was not lost on the group.
It was the only time in the history of the construction of the Aistear that funds of that scale were sourced voluntarily on the Company’s behalf. These funds were a fitting acknowledgment by those in authority of the validity of the project.
It was not known at the time in 1995 that it would take thirteen years of applications, business plans, meetings, submissions, presentations, prayers and meditations to complete the work. By that stage, it was recognised that the meaning of the word Aistear itself had expanded. The word Aistear means journey and it became that for all involved. But in 1995, when the cheque for £25,000 arrived, it was more than welcome for it became the foundation from which the first loan was secured and the construction of the maze began.
Funding for the Construction of the Aistear
At the same time as the brochure was being prepared and produced, the company InisCealtra Community Development Ltd. was being formed. Some of the Community Council members became directors and Clare County Council were also represented. This was to ensure that the local authority’s investment was protected in the long term. The memorandum and articles were drawn up and the Company became the legal trustees of the field. The main object of the Company is to develop, co-ordinate and control the planning and development of the park and to hold it and maintain it as a green area for the community. The members willingly took on the responsibility.
The legal aspects of the transfer were being dealt with simultaneously so that by late autumn most of the criteria that were required to comply with the conditions of the Urban & Village Renewal Scheme had been fulfilled.
In November 1995, the brochure was launched to a packed Community Hall by Mr. Donal Carey, T.D. and Minister for Western Development and Rural Renewal in the company of Mr. Ciaran Lynch, Clare County Council and Mr. Donal Griffin, FÁS.
Prior to the launch, the attendance heard an up-to-date report on the progress of the fundraising campaign. Support had come from a multiplicity of sources, namely Coillte, local groups, clubs and associations and individuals in and outside the community at large. The most significant news was that the Rectory Field was in community ownership. In the ensuing excitement, teas and refreshments were served and discussions continued long into the night.
The following morning, a delegation from the Company travelled to the U.S.A. as part of the fundraising campaign, where they were graciously accommodated and assisted by Fr. Liam Minogue R.I.P., a native of the parish. Fr. Liam introduced the members to his own parishioners and to many others. Fundraising events were organised and some months later a cheque from these events was presented by Matt Mulhaire, New York to the Company’s treasurer, Liam Flannery.
Following the launch of the brochure, the first phase of the construction of the Aistear began. This involved the planting of trees, construction of rail fencing and the planting of a willow wall the length of the field inside the boundary fence. The willow trees were sponsored by Coillte and became a natural resource from which other willow walls and creative endeavours were sourced.
Initially it was thought that the Aistear could be completed in three phases, but the financial restrictions that emerged prevented that, so that the development was completed in four distinct phases. Later that year, a telephone message arrived from Minister Donal Carey to contact his office. He had secured £25,000 from the Department of the Taioseach’s Reconciliation Fund for the development of the Aistear. It was the 22nd of December, 1995, just a couple of days before Christmas and the significance of this welcome gift was not lost on the group.
It was the only time in the history of the construction of the Aistear that funds of that scale were sourced voluntarily on the Company’s behalf. These funds were a fitting acknowledgment by those in authority of the validity of the project.
It was not known at the time in 1995 that it would take thirteen years of applications, business plans, meetings, submissions, presentations, prayers and meditations to complete the work. By that stage, it was recognised that the meaning of the word Aistear itself had expanded. The word Aistear means journey and it became that for all involved. But in 1995, when the cheque for £25,000 arrived, it was more than welcome for it became the foundation from which the first loan was secured and the construction of the maze began.
Funding for the Construction of the Aistear
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