Offaly Volunteer Centre to open new offices in Tullamore's O'Connor Square next week

Offaly Volunteer Centre will officially open its new offices next week, marking an important milestone in the organisation’s continued growth and its commitment to strengthening volunteering and community life across County Offaly.

The opening will be attended by Minister Buttimer, alongside volunteers, community partners, board members, and representatives from organisations across the county. The move to the new premises reflects the centre’s expanding work in connecting people with volunteering opportunities and supporting community initiatives at local level.

Speaking ahead of the opening, Chairperson Molly Buckley said the occasion represents more than just a change of address. “This is a new chapter for Offaly Volunteer Centre. Offaly has shown time and again that it leads with heart when it comes to volunteering and community, and this new space will allow us to build on that strong foundation,” she said. “It has been a privilege to be part of this journey from the beginning, and we are excited about what lies ahead for volunteers and communities across the county.”

Founded six years ago with the support of Volunteer Ireland, Offaly Volunteer Centre has developed strong partnerships with statutory agencies, community and voluntary organisations, local businesses, and new communities in the county. The organisation works closely with Offaly Local Development Company, Offaly County Council and the Local Authority Integration Team, Family Resource Centres in Clara and Tullamore, and providers of IPAS and BOTP accommodation centres, among many others.

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Manager of Offaly Volunteer Centre, Deirdre Fox, said the opening is an opportunity to recognise the collective effort that underpins volunteering in Offaly. “What happens locally, whether in Birr, Clara, Rahan, or Geashill, truly matters,” she said. “Small acts of service, multiplied across a county, create real and lasting change. The new offices will give us a welcoming base from which to support that work and the people who make it happen.”

The centre has also acknowledged the contribution of local employers and corporate partners, as well as philanthropic supporters such as the Community Foundation of Ireland, whose backing has helped to strengthen volunteering initiatives throughout Offaly.

Minister Buttimer’s attendance will highlight the importance of national support for local volunteering infrastructure. Offaly Volunteer Centre has welcomed the continued engagement and funding support from the Department and the volunteering section of the Department, which it says has been instrumental in enabling the centre to expand its reach and impact.

The official opening will take place at the new Offaly Volunteer Centre offices in O’Connor Square in Tullamore, on Tuesday February 17th starting at 10am sharp, with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque followed by an opportunity for guests to meet volunteers, staff, and partners.

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