Chairman of the Lorrha SCÉAL committee Patrick Cahalan pictured with the Minister for Rural & Community Development & The Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, Michael Lowry, TD and Nancy White, shop manager, when the minister visited to view the new SCÉAL community shop and the renovated St Ruadhán’s community hall on Friday last.

Minister's visit to Lorrha

On Friday last, the Minister for Rural & Community Development & The Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary was on official business in Tipperary and Clare. On his way from Thurles, he called to Carrig where he was welcomed by Tony Doorley, Chairman of Carrig Tidy Towns.

The minister later officially opened phase one of the new community park in the village and praised all involved in its development as well as thanking the large crowd that had gathered to greet him.

Next stop was Lorrha where he greeted the locals and was presented with a Mayo flag, which he was delighted with, after he viewed the recently opened new extension to the hall, the SCÉAL shop. Chairman Patrick Cahalan thanked all the various departmental supports for their financial contributions including all who contributed to the buy a brick fundraiser. He thanked the volunteers who have been there for the last 10 years and welcomed all for a cup of tea. Minister Calleary complimented all on all the work the group carried out to bring this building to reality and urged others to give a bit of time to volunteering or otherwise this shop will close, he said.

He went on to explain how rural communities around the country are missing their local services that close and that the Government will give money to well-worthwhile projects, which he viewed the SCÉAL shop to be. He then thanked everyone for their time and commitments before he left for another appointment in Clare.