Monksland Community Centre hosts diverse array of local groups and activities

by David Flynn

An array of different and varied Monksland groups displayed their works for the benefit of visitors to the Community Centre, which included judges of the Pride of Place competition, last week.

Beautiful creations from crocheting, knitting and sewing were on show at tables in one of the community centre rooms. Eye-catching pieces such as tea cosies, cushions, draft excluders and clothing were on display. A door-stop in the shape of a heavy owl was part of the artwork. There was also a reminder of Christmas with some red cushions on show.

SEE GENERAL ARTICLE ON VISIT OF PRIDE OF PLACES JUDGES TO MONKSLAND HERE

Groups such as the Athlone Women’s Forum – The African Connection, which promotes African culture and the integration of African women in society also had artefacts on display.

An artist, Annette Fayne, displayed some of her works including a canvass of a farmyard rooster. Annette also had an interesting Decoupage creation of the 1916 Rising, which she made around the time of the 100th Anniversary. It was entitled ‘6 Days at Easter’ and featured the proclamation in its centre, and pictures of the rebel leaders. It also showed a ticket of an Abbey Theatre play, ‘Kathleen ni Houlihan’, which was running at the time of the rising.

Cushla Active Age Group

Another key user of the centre is the Cushla Active Age Group. Secretary of the group, Margaret Caulfield, proudly talked about the group’s hospice fundraising, and the activities of members throughout the year.

“We have around 64 members overall and we play bingo, go on holidays and we fundraise a lot, and have raised over €7,000 for hospice care,” said Margaret to the Westmeath Independent last week.

“We go on day tours and have been on tours away to Westport for three days, and 40 of us went to Bunratty and we’ll be going back there again for a dance weekend in September.”

Cushla Active age meets every Wednesday morning at the Monksland Community Centre and they have carried out collections outside SuperValu and other locations for Mayo Roscommon Hospice.

“A lot of the money goes to nurses to help people in their own homes,” said Margaret.

Monksland Active Retirement Association

Monksland Active Retirement Association (MARA) is a voluntary community group, which also meets at the centre.

“Our mission is to engage retired people into activities, and we do that through music and dance and we always begin every meeting with ten minutes of light exercise,” said Sean O’Donnell, MARA. “We do scheduled outings in the year, and have been to Bunratty Castle and Foxford Woollen Mills. Our meeting is two hours weekly, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, and we finish it up with tea and a scone.”

The group invites musicians to take part in their activities and there are many talented musicians among their members.

“We have Padraig Nally that plays the mandolin and Bernie Reilly that plays accordion and Pat Shine that plays saxophone,” said Sean.

A big recent success of MARA’s is their choir, which is made up of eighteen people.

“It would not be possible without a grant from the Galway Roscommon Education Training Board,” he said.

MARA also have a songbook printed with easy listening numbers. MARA’s event team is Ann O’Donnell, Pat Shine and Eileen Daly.

Athlone Youths Darts Academy

For the past ten years, the Athlone Youth Darts Academy has practiced and trained at the community centre in Monksland under the guidance of Seamie Tynan.

“They play from ten years of age to eighteen and they train every Friday,” said Seamie. “We have two classes, the younger ones are in from 7.30 to 8.30 and then the senior players are in after that, until 10.30 pm. We have some class throwers.”

Seamie also manages the senior Westmeath team.

“They work out of there, and there never was a Westmeath Youth team until this place got going, but they won the Connaught Championship,” he said. “One young lad, James Morris was in Gibraltar twice and is really serious. Last year we had three lads out of the club head to Gibraltar.”

Seamie said parents are very good and pick up their children after practice.

“I’d like to thank the girls of the centre who do a lot for us, and our sponsers,” he said.

Community Games Chess

A successful Community games Chess Club who have won several medals including an All-Ireland silver, plays and trains at Monksland centre.

The seven Monksland/Drum Community Games U/13 chess champions are Roscommon champions, Connaught Champions and won the All-Ireland silver medal this year.

“They trained here between January and June, once a week for about two hours,” said Niall Gallagher. “We were beaten by an excellent Cork team in Dublin.”

There is also an U/11 chess team working out of the Monksland centre. Niall and the other chess coach, Paul Coughlan oversees the groups.

“The community centre people are very good, facilitating us, and we couldn’t do it without them,” said Niall. “There is no pressure and they’re very flexible.”

Meditation Classes

Purnima and Ganesh are living in Athlone for the past eleven years and for the past six or seven of those years they have taught mediation at the community centre in Monksland.

The couple who come from India find the Monksland venue a lovely place to do meditation.

“It is something that will help you make your own energy,” said Purnima, who meditates every morning and evening. “It’s just five minutes with your own self.”

The meditation class sometimes hosts around eight people. “It’s about relaxation and spending time with your inner self,” said Purnima.