Opening of Muirhevnamor Extension Shared Space

The opening of the new extension to the Muirhevnamor Community centre occurred on Thursday 1st June and was a great success.

The project has been supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special European Programmes Body (SEUPB) and supported locally by Louth County Council and Louth Local Community Development Committee (LCDC). Match-funding has been provided by The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department for Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

The 2200 square foot extension, constructed by Hillside Contracts Ltd and costing half a million euro, will provide a shared space for the ongoing work by Muirhevnamor Community Council.

The centre provides training courses for lifelong learning, youth leadership programmes, drug and alcohol rehabilitation meetings as well as acting as a hub and social meeting place for the local and wider community.

Speakers at the launch event included Chief Executive of Louth County Council Joan Martin, Cathaoirleach Councillor Conor Keelan and Director of Muirhevnamor Community Centre Jim O’Neill.

Speaking at the opening, Chief Executive Joan Martin spoke about the importance of the EU Peace programmes and their role in building a more integrated, peaceful society, saying: “The facility provided by this extension will allow Muirhevnamor Community Centre to be a focal point for cross community engagement and be of great benefit to the people of Dundalk and the region. It is a beautiful shared space that will be at the heart of reconciliation between our communities.”

The event was followed by a reception inside the new shared space in the centre and a performance by Top Theatre School in Dundalk. 

It is envisaged that this extension to the community centre will act as a cross community and cross-border shared space, providing a significant public amenity for the people of Dundalk and facilitating further reconciliation between the communities on this island.