Help save Rathcabbin Hall

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought loads of problems to every corner of the globe as people struggle to survive this deadly virus.

Down Rathcabbin way, the local community have been landed with an extra burden, that of the local hall, which is in need of urgent repairs after recent bad weather.

Rathcabbin Hall committee were totally devastated recently to find that part of the roof had collapsed due to heavy rain in recent times and to add to their woes, some water pipes burst during the recent snap of frosty weather flooding the kitchen and meeting room.

Two years ago, some locals came on board to help and support the existing committee with fundraising and general volunteering in the interest of the hall which is in much demand through each year. The group had intended on launching a fundraiser to carry out repairs to the roof which was damaged some time ago, but when the Covid restrictions were introduced last March 2020, that put an end to the venture. The hall has been unable to hold events to generate income for the majority of 2020 and that included the 2021 performance by Rathcabbin Players which usually takes place in January.

Assistant chairperson Clare Burke said that €20,000 is needed to complete the immediate works, fix the leaking roof and replace ceilings. Clare went on to explain that a section of the roof on the rear of the building requires immediate replacing due to years of leaking water. “This is of upmost priority to have this section of roof replaced to sustain the building for the immediate years to come,” she said. “We applied for a Community Enhancement Programme 2020 grant from Tipperary County Council, and were awarded €2,500. This grant money is being put towards the cost of the re-roofing of a section of the building”

Other works also needs to be done and Clare stresses that the hall will, in time, require new public toilets and the installation of a wheelchair accessible toilet.

2022 will mark the 100th anniversary of Rathcabbin Hall, the site of which was donated by the O’Brien family from Gurteen. Built mostly with voluntary labour, people drew stones and gravel by horse and cart from a pit in nearby Lusmagh for the foundations. Money back then was pretty scarce but the need for the hall was great so everyone in the community put their shoulder to the wheel to provide the amenity which turned out to be a popular amenity through the years. An extension called the supper room was added some years later and Rathcabbin Hall was the place to go to for entertainment, meetings, classes, etc, down through the years.

“Everyone in the area would have a memory of the hall, whether from attending social dances, school plays or Community Games discos, to witnessing spectacular performances from the locals on stage during one of the many plays performed by Rathcabbin Players. The hall has always been a social outlet for the people from Lorrha and Rathcabbin and neighbouring parishes also, bringing people together playing cards every week, a highlight of the week for many,” said Clare.

When Our Lady Queen of Ireland Church was under construction in 1983/'84, the hall served the parishioners well as that was where Mass was held. Rathcabbin Players Drama Group who have been a fantastic support and generator of income for the local hall every year through their plays, have used the hall for over 50 years.

Rathcabbin National School, North Tipperary Parent Child and Toddler Group, North Tipperary Ploughing Association, Irish Farmers Association, ICA women’s group, and a variety of other events have taken place in Rathcabbin Hall.

The committee is appealing to people to donate whatever they can.

HOW TO HELP

People can donate through the GoFundMe Page; a link for this can be found on the Rathcabbin Hall Facebook page, or visit the GoFundMe website and search for Rathcabbin Hall. You can also donate by cash/cheque by using one of the Donation envelopes available in Kelly's Shop in Rathcabbin village, Rathcabbin Church or from one of the committee members. Envelopes can be returned to any of the committee members. The committee welcomes any new volunteers who would like to help in the upkeep of the hall, whether through cleaning, painting or promotion. Anyone wishing to contributes should contact (087) 136 4936.