We kicked off our first session with introductions; some participants knew each other well and others had never met. We each shared our soft and hard skills and it was clear that there was a broad set of skills in the room, with a balance of analytical thinkers, creatives, humanitarians and organisers. There was a clear commitment to the local area - the main reason the group came out on the wet evening that it was!

Turning the Sod was introduced by Desmond, who highlighted the opportunity and support that will be provided over 10 sessions to bring ideas together and create a SMART Community Strategy. The hope is that specific projects will be identified during the process which will be put forward for LEADER funding and managed locally. We discussed SMART Villages and examples of how groups across the country had overcome local challenges and prospered.

During exercises the team carried out, there was positivity about events and activities that brought the community in Johnstownbridge and Tirmoghan together in the past; from American Tea Parties to 25’s card games (the Irish National Card Game!) and activities for young people like the Scouts and Paddlers.

We also identified that there’s still a strong community spirit in the area, with active groups and activities who deliver a wide variety of community benefit. Some that were mentioned are below:

GAA
Community Text Alert

Community Car

Irish Countrywomen's Association

Men’s Shed

Golf Society

BREDA

Foroige

Active Age

Bowls Club

Tidy Towns

First Responders

Some gaps in the local offer were highlighted as:

• More for young people to do

• Playspace for children and toddlers

• There’s been a gap in volunteering and community activities since covid

• More needed to integrate the community - new people and those who are familiar to the area

• Cross-community activities that bring the community together.

• Better connections with the hinterland

We began to brainstorm projects which could be developed for the future. We agreed it was too early to be certain about what projects would work but initial ideas included:

• Developing more connected and inter-generational activities for all ages of the community 

• Intercultural food activities and suppers to encourage integration of our broad communities 

• Reinforcing Johnstownbridge as a heritage town with a positive brand, interpretation or app.

• Improving the water quality, biodiversity and amenities along the Fear English and Blackwater rivers

• Arts and cultural projects

• A community park for young and old.

These ideas and others will be developed as the sessions continue.

The group on the first evening accepted that there was only a small number of the community in the room and everyone was keen that others come along and join future sessions. There was a sense that the community will benefit from a fresh focus on community collaboration and as many people as possible planning the future together. Any info discussed during the first session can be relayed to new attendees at future sessions.

In Session 2 we will look at what is meant by Community-led Local Development and learn from communities who are doing it for themselves.

We’ll also use Blue Sky Thinking to establish Ideas and narrow down the local Challenges that we want to tackle through the future sessions.