Conna The Council

The troubles and differences of the struggle for independence and the civil war had vanished at the end of the twenties. Conna was a friendly place to reside in, children played happily on the street and people visited each other's houses freely.

Emigration took its toll in the decades preceding the mid eighties, but the thirties forties and fifties saw huge numbers leaving for England and America. It eased somewhat in the late sixties, and involuntary emigration ended in the late eighties.The Old Courthouse was the only hall or meeting place in the village. It was in great demand for social events. A hall was needed for drama, meetings, cards, shows and many other events.

In 1943 inspired by a young Tipperary curate Fr. John Hayes it was decided to form a guild of Muintir na Tire. This was the beginning of the community effort that was to establish Conna as outward looking and progressive. At 2.00 pm on December 8th 1945 the Muintir na Tire hall was officially opened, this was the culmination of years of work and effort by the local community. The war years had taken their toll economically, but the spirit that has motivated the people of this area for decades was strong. As the years progressed and prosperity increased nationally people were able to afford motorcars and travel to other venues the hall was used less than had originally been planned.

It remained as a source of inspiration to people, though not fully utilised for some years in the early sixties to early seventies.
The Castle Barbecue which began in 1969 and later became the the Castle Concert provided much needed funding for the many community projects that were undertaken.

The formation of Conna Muintir Community Council in 1973 led to a new phase of industrial and housing development that was to form the revival of Conna. Castleview was built, then in 1977 the factory began and was up and running by 1978. Sycamore Drive built in 1983 provided further accomodation at the Castle Cross, this development expanded the eastern perimeter of the village. Without these developments Conna would have gone into a slow decline with very few people living in the village.

It is worthy of note that but for Mr. Batty O'Donovan R.I.P. selling the land neither housing development, new cemetery or factory could have gone ahead, many of the bungalows in the village could not have been built as they were part of the same farm. We owe Batty a great deal, may he rest in peace.

The decision to build the Sports Complex was the biggest project undertaken until recently. The facility was built and opened in October 1986, it was a very proud day for the people of the parish. The financing of the Sports Complex was undertaken in such a way that everyone could contribute, this gave the people of the parish and beyond a stake in what is now a hugely successful development.

The Castlebrook development comprising of forty-five houses has provided Conna with its first housing estate.These houses are a very welcome addition to the village as they are in a designated development area to the south of the village. All of the properties are sold. The builders were Sheehan Bros..

The Community Council has built twenty senior citizens houses next to the Church in the village, all of the houses are now occupied and the development is very successful. It is named "Monty's Meadow". We have a Social Centre built within the houses and we are currently developing the upper floor to provide more rooms and badly need storage space. The history comittee hope to have their material stored in a room here also. Every Thursday a four course lunch is provided for anybody who wishes to come along, eight euro is the charge and the food is excellent. Cards Bingo etc. are played weekly and the centre is the hub of the housing project

We are well on the way to finishing a Child Day Care Centre at the back of the Sports Complex this is a really great facility to look forward to and we hope to have it open in the early Spring of 2008.

We are proud of the progress that this community has made to date, it is for all of the people that these projects are undertaken.The spirit that motivates us is what motivated the young curate Fr. John Hayes when he founded Muintir na Tire in the thirties. The Council is affiliated to Muintir na Tire, this organisation was the catalyst which assisted many rural organisations in the forties to form local branches and help their communities to grow. It is still a very important organisation and is a source of information and assistance to many rural parishes. Conna Muintir hall was opened on the eight of December1945.

Update July 2009

As Well as Thursday Lunches, The Centre is Now Used Tuesday's, Wednesday's and Friday's by The Alhzeimer's Society. Tuesday's and Friday's are for Senior Citizens and Wednesday's for People With Dementia.

We Provide the Lunches and Ancillary Services and the Alhzeimer's Society Provide the Staff. Amy is the Nurse, and Juliette and Bernadette are the Care Assistants. They are a Great Team, and Everything is Progressing Well.

The Child Daycare Centre is very Busy and is Open Five Days a Week. It is a Great Service to be able to Offer to the Peope.

Conna is now doing its best to deal with the recession, building projects have ground to a halt and many people are out of work. The price farmers receive for produce is appalingly bad. We can only hope that with God's help brighter days will come soon again.

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