'Today is a proud day': New community park officially opened in Carrig
The amenity was unveiled by Dara Calleary TD in the village on Friday morning, July 24
There was a fantastic turnout from both the locality and beyond in Carrig for the official opening of their new community park on Friday, July 24.
The amenity was unveiled by Dara Calleary TD, Minster for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in the village on Friday morning.
Other guests in attendance at the community event included Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Councillor Fiona Bonfield, Cathaoirleach of Nenagh Municipal District, Councillor JP O'Meara and North Tipperary TD’s Ryan O'Meara and Michael Lowry.
Tipperary County Council Directors of Services Mark Connolly and Liam Brett were also present alongside former Tipperary Councillor Jim Casey, Father Tom Hogan and Reverend Canon Arthur Minion.
The community event was moderated by Carrig Tidy Towns Treasurer Barry Deane who began by saying: “It’s great to have such a big crowd here today so you're all very welcome. We’re delighted to be here to mark this milestone for the village with the official opening of Carrig Community Park.”
Barry then welcomed Carrig Tidy Towns Chairperson Tony Doorley to the podium who gave an insight into the background and formation of the new local amenity.
He commented: “Today is a proud day for Carrig, On behalf of the Carrig Tidy Towns, I am honoured to welcome you to the official opening of phase one of Carrig Community Park.”
Tony continued: “This was a project that began as an idea, grew into a vision and now has become a reality. Three years ago in the spring of 2023, we imagined what this space could become. It was only a sketch of an idea, but it was filled with a possibility.”
“That idea began to take shape and from that moment the journey began. It wasn't always easy as there was long planning processes, technical challenges and moments where the finish line felt far away but every step brought us closer.”
The chairperson also took the opportunity to acknowledge all the people that played a part in the project throughout the process including his fellow officers on the Tidy Town's Committee.
“We may be small but by God we're determined. I would like to thank my fellow officers, Anne Davis, Barry Deane, Linda Dowling, Tom Regan, Jerry White and a few more others that came in at different times to help us.”
Tony also told the story of seven-year-old Donnacha Rabette who planted an acorn last winter and when it grew, he planted it in the new Community Park in Carrig in the days leading up to the official unveiling.
Donnacha was delighted to show it to Minister Calleary alongside his family when he visited on Friday for the opening as Tony commented: “We thank Donnacha, we will continue to see that oak tree everyday and maybe in a long time when we're not around, that oak tree will still be there as part of the park.”
Tony concluded: “Communities can dream big but funding allows those dreams to take root and while today is a celebration, it is also a beginning. Phase one is complete but the full vision of Carrig Community Park lies ahead and we look forward to continuing this journey.”
Carrig was awarded a grant of €176,000 through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme for the development of the Carrig Village Recreation Park and Wildlife Haven project.
The new park represents a significant investment in the village and is the culmination of the vision, dedication and hard work of many members of the local community spearheaded by the Carrig Tidy Towns Group.
The Park will provide a new focal point in the village and a space for recreation, play and gatherings for generations to come. The new footbridge will also create a safe route from one end of the village to the Park.
Liam Brett, Director of Services in Tipperary County Council was next to speak as he praised the work that has been done within the Carrig community in order for the project to come to fruition.
He said: “This project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when the community comes together with a shared vision of its future. What we see here today is far more than a park. It's a lasting investment in community, well-being, recreation, inclusion, and local pride.”
The Director of Nenagh Municipal District also acknowledged the effort of Carrig Tidy Towns and their contribution to the park. “I'd like to pay particular tribute to Carrig Tidy Towns, under the leadership of Chairperson Tony Doorley, Secretary Anne Davis and Treasurer Barry Deane, whose commitment, energy, and determination drove this project from idea to reality.”
Liam finished by outlining the impact that this project can have for future generations as a result of the commitment by Carrig’s local community. He explained: “Funding does not create projects like this. It is people who make these projects happen. It is a local vision, local leadership, and local commitment that turn opportunities into reality.”
“I hope this park will become a focal point for community life, a place where children can play, families can gather, friendships can flourish, and future generations can create their own memories. On behalf of Tipperary County Council, I congratulate everybody and wish the community every success as you continue to build on this remarkable achievement.”
Dara Calleary TD was then introduced to say a few words before cutting the ribbon to officially mark the opening of the new community park.
The Minster for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht started his speech by highlighting that this project is being referred to as phase one so he encouraged more volunteers and locals to get involved in the upcoming phases so that the community can keep thriving and developing in the years to come.
He touched on the impact of the local community up until this point by stating: “This facility is not just about investment, the €176,000 from Town and Village Renewal is important but more important is the fact that you all come together and put in a local contribution yourselves.”
“This is about a community coming together and deciding this is what they need in their village or parish and then driving it forward. The people of Carrig showed that they needed and wanted this and that’s what we've invested in, it’s you as a community and you as a people and in your vision and in your ambition.”
He concluded by saying: “The pride that this community has in their work is evident with this project that's on display here and I certainly look forward to getting to see it in a few minutes so enjoy it, be safe in it and create memories in it. I look forward to to coming back for phase two.”
Prior to the cutting of the ribbon, there was a blessing of the new community park conducted by Fr Tom Hogan with Rev Canon Arthur Minion.
Rev Arthur also said a few words after the blessing welcoming the park and recollecting his own experiences of Carrig. “I'd like to congratulate you all on the achievement of the first phase of this wonderful work. These parks bring people together and hold families together. They give parents a restful time with their children where they can be in their company and have a little reprieve from other aspects of life.”
He added: “I've always admired Carrig, a very beautiful little village. My earliest memory of Carrig was driving through here on a tractor in 1983 back and forth when I was a student in Gurteen College and I remember here vividly from those days on so I wish you well.”
Following the cutting of the ribbon, all those in attendance took a walk through the new park before heading back to Carrig Community Hall for a chat and refreshments.
The official opening of the community park marks Carrig’s successful completion of phase one and creates a strong base for those in the locality to continue to enhance the village over the coming years.