The development of Gallonray House

A new era - Gallonray House

For almost two decades following it's opening in June 1980, Drumgoon Community Centre accommodated many community needs of the rural part of Drumgoon parish. These included meetings and functions of many voluntary organisations, drama festivals, concerts, classes, card games and a few sports activities including handball.

In the late 1990's, a comprehensive community survey was the catalyst for a new vision of our centre that would involve a complete upgrade and extension to make it relevant and welcoming for every family and enhance the area as a place to live and work. If this could be achieved, it would help to counteract the drop in the local population and the rural decline and isolation that was happening following the withdrawal of many public services and the closure of most local shops.

The 20/20 vision for our centre was to capture as much as possible under one roof by providing facilities and activities relevant to all families. The aim was to encourage individuals, families and community groups in various fields of interest to get involved and participate in activities and events. This had potential to enhance individual people's lives and to build a stronger community in the area. Family and community functions and events could be hosted within the community itself promoting sustainability of the centre into the future.

To help capture the new era of comfort and service, a decision was made to change the name to Gallonray House based on the townland name. The new name would also assist in marketing the place to a wider catchment rather than just to the community of Drumgoon parish itself.

In early 1998, building plans were drawn up and planning permission applied for. With an estimated cost exceeding half a million-euro, finance was going to be key to the Gallonray House project being realised. Thankfully, unlike 1980 when the original centre opened, grants were becoming available as Government and many agencies realised the potential for well organised community groups to deliver beneficial programmes.

There was outstanding community support for local fundraising which proved crucial in achieving grant support from many agencies including the Cross-border Peace Programme, the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) and the EU supported Leader programme. Building works commenced in summer of 1998 and Gallonray House opened in February 1999. Comfortable meeting rooms, a modern kitchen, function room, stage facilities, and a lounge bar which would enable functions to be hosted and give new life to our community centre. It was a Millennium project aimed at making a real difference in our community and beyond as the 21 st century beckoned.

Additional phases of development added a new Childcare facility in 2009 to cater for preschool and afterschool children, a community gym also in 2009, one small rental unit in 2011 and another in 2014, a further extension to the Afterschool facility in 2019 to accommodate forty-eight children, a broadband hub in 2020 and a youth room/rehearsal space in 2023. Other additions in 2024 included a new store and work to car parking areas. All these developments were achieved with substantial grants from the Department of Children and Youth, Department of Rural and Community Development, Leader Programme, Cavan Co Council, and Airtricity as well as local fundraising.

The total capital expenditure on these works since 1998 in the development of Gallonray House is approximately €1.25 million of which grants contributed approximately €1.0 million and the balance through local fundraising.

A snapshot of current Gallonray House activities indicates a substantial realization of the vision for our centre that came through from the 1990's community survey. This is being achieved with the goodwill and enthusiasm of the local community, and it couldn't happen without substantial funding support towards employment of a manager and three staff members under the Community Service Programme (CSP) which is managed by Pobal.

The commitment of the manager and staff, volunteers and the Committee of Management have been key to the success of Gallonray House.