THE DEVELOPMENT OF DRUMGOON COMMUNITY CENTRE

By Aidan McCabe

The old school in Dernakesh, originally built in 1835, served as a National School until 1948. For the next 30 years or so, it served as a parish hall officially known as St Patrick's Hall. Its humble facilities seemed adequate at the time and there are many fond memories associated with plays, concerts, dances, whist drives, bazaars, the odd Laurel and Hardy film and meetings. During most of this period, Maudabawn Macra na Feirme club acted as caretaker.

In early 1978, the Macra members decided on having the building professionally assessed prior to carrying out some necessary repairs. The outcome of the survey was not encouraging. Extensive repairs would be needed and any substantial modernisation job would not be feasible. There was also the disadvantage of inadequate car parking space. Improving the "old school" would not be sensible and there the matter was left.

Later that year, in October and November 1978, the idea of a new Community Centre was quietly investigated on the initiative of Maudabawn curate Rev. P. J. Corrigan. Centres in other areas were visited to gather as much detail as possible for discussion at a public meeting. Among the Community Centres visited were those in Glaslough, Ardaghey and Magheracloone in Co. Monaghan.

A public meeting then took place on 19th December 1978 in Dernakesh old school and a decision was taken to go ahead with the development of a new Community Centre which would serve the rural part of Drumgoon parish. A committee was elected to undertake the ambitious projects. The members of that inaugural committee were: Jack Daly, John Fitzpatrick, Aidan Farrell, Felix O'Reilly, Mrs Margaret Rice, Michael Lynch, Charlie Bannon, Mrs Madge McNally, Paddy McGorry, Denis Reynolds, Phil Mullen, Pat McBride, Seamus Garry, Eamon McArdle, Owen Hillis, Michael Quinn, Seamus O'Reilly, Jimmy Clerkin, Gerard Cooney, Paddy Fox, Elizabeth Boyle, Eugene Lynch, Chairman, Paul McManus; Vice-chairman, Rev. P. J. Corrigan; Secretary, Aidan McCabe; Assistant Secretary, Jimmy Carroll; Treasurers, Robert Sharpe, Margaret Shalvey, Mrs Rosaleen McQuaid, and Danny McQuillan. 

Four enthusiastic members of that Committee - Michael Lynch, John Fitzpatrick, Pat McBride and Owen Hillis - have since passed on to their reward, may they rest in peace.

Over the following months, meetings of the Committee were held in the comfortable surroundings of Dernakesh new school. There were often 2 or 3 meetings in a month and good progress was made. A suitable 1 acre site in Gallonreagh was secured very reasonably from Hugh P. O'Reilly. Peter Ward undertook the task of planning a building to accommodate as many community needs as possible, in particular meetings, games, drama and other social activities. Tenders were sought and the building was contracted to Jimmy McQuaid, Scotshouse. Work on the site commenced in Autumn 1979 and the building itself was completed and officially opened on 20th June 1980 by Mr John Wilson, T.D., then Minister for Education. Subsequently, Youth Employment Schemes were availed of to develop car parks, perimeter walls and outdoor play areas.

The total cost of developing Drumgoon Community Centre was £75,000. From the beginning the local people enthusiastically supported all the fund raising activities which varied from the initial collection to various functions, particularly Tea Parties, as well as the very successful weekly Silver Circle. Local organisations, particularly Drumgoon GAA club, were also very supportive. By the end of 1980, half the cost had been cleared and in order to reduce bank interest payments the novel Loan Scheme was launched. Over the following years the outstanding balance was gradually whittled down and eventually cleared in 1989.

Over the years our Community Centre has accommodated many of our community needs, particularly the meetings and functions of the various voluntary and commercial organisations. There have been many successful drama festivals, history classes, keep fit classes, Christmas concerts and social whist nights. It's good to have our Centre for activities like these. A highlight has been the period from March to December 1991 when Mass was celebrated in the centre while Maudabawn church was closed for renovations. Another highlight in a very different sense was the visit of the Sam Maguire Cup and Co. Down officials to the GAA club under-age presentations on 29th October, 1991.

Looking to the future, it would be nice to see all the sporting facilities for tennis, basketball, volleyball, handball, table tennis, snooker and pool used a lot more by the youth in particular. Perhaps it is being idealistic to think that our "Senior Citizens Room" will ever become just that - an open door where the old and not so old can meet for companionship. Whatever the future may hold, let us hope that our Centre will serve the community well and that volunteers will give freely of their energy and time as so many have done since 1978.