ARMOY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
CONNECT Project
CONNECT is a project in Armoy which aims to make connections and constructive links between communities and local government providers to realise joined up solutions to issues affecting the quality of life.
CONNECT will focus on enabling everyone in Armoy to be involved in shaping the quality of life in the community. Examples of successful projects to date are:
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community playgroup
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riverside walk
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armoy youth club
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over 55 club
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tilly molloy centre
You can get involved by taking part in the discussions on the on-line forum by clicking on the link at the top of this page.
For further information contact Noeleen Connolly at the Community Offices on 028 207 52000
This project is supported by the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, administered by The Community Foundation
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The population of the Armoy area mirrors the political and denominational dimensions of the wider community of Northern Ireland. The troubles have impacted on the district but by and large the two traditions have appeared to co-exist; maintaining the semblance of a virtually conflict-free society. However the reality can be that people may have lived beside each other as neighbours and may rarely if ever met. The divide and polarisation of this rural community was indeed very real.
Efforts to form a local rural development group were tried in the early 1990's. However the conditions and dynamics was not present to bring the two traditions on board. The intent of organised community endeavours was a cross-community summer scheme for the youth and a progressive Education for Mutual Understanding (EMU) programme, vigorously pursued by the two primary schools for virtually a decade.
Probably in the persistence of that EMU programme lies the embryonic beginnings of what is now the cross-community development association.
The Armoy Community Development Association was deliberately created to serve and function as a cross-community group. Barbara Eames, the Community Relations Officer with Moyle District Council was instrumental in facilitating the establishment and early development of the group.
The objectives of the Association:
(a) Encourage a co-ordinated approach by statutory and non-statutory bodies to the problem of redressing the economic and social disadvantage of the area.
(b) Enhance the employment prospects of the local community through the provision of training facilities and attraction of jobs for the area.
(c) In a period of structural change, encourage local farmers to adapt progressive techniques and to source alternative income by co-operating and obtaining information, advice and training from recognised farming organisations and statutory authorities.
(d) Provide, or assist in providing a range of social, cultural and educational activities which will encourage the wide participation of both communities.
(e) Improve the quality of life for the youth and the elderly in the community.
INITIATIVES AND DEVELOPMENTS
An extensive range of activities has been provided to help create a more positive socialisation within the area. The Association has organised children's parties, discos, environmental clean-up, provision of flower beds/hanging baskets, luncheon club and trips for over 55 age group, local computer classes and a village fair. These activities have given the organisers a collective experience of challenge, success and failure.
As well as the emphasis on changing the local social perspective, the Association has made beneficial contact with the already well established network of people and agencies who were already in the field of community, rural and community relations work. Their guidance was vital in steering the work of the group.
From an early stage we knew that the Association needed a concrete reality to demonstrate that a cross-community group could deliver something more than "the good" from social and community encounters. The Association with funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund has acquired Tilly Molloy's - a property located on the banks of the River Bush which was once used as a cinema, a hall for dances as well as a thriving confectionery/ice cream parlour cum cafe. Work is now on-going to work up a funding package through DoE/IFI (CRISP) and Heritage Lottery. The nature and location of the site allows a multi-mix of commercial opportunities to be developed. in the form of shop retail units, cafe, restaurant, community care services, tourist accommodation and a multi-purpose conference facility.
The RDC and CRC have funded a community audit of the area. This work is at the interim stage of report and the results should elicit elements to be addressed by all those with a developmental interest in the area. The analysis and results by way of report will be of significant benefit in presenting a more objective, independent case to various agencies.
Members of the Association undertook the Community Leadership Programme during the past year and this made a valuable contribution in our capacity to tackle and approach the diverse range of challenges associated with working in cross-community development work.
A valuable start has been made. Much remains to be done.
Armoy Development Group :
