The long campaign to have a suitable community centre in the Moneymore area of North Drogheda took a significant step forward last week with the unveiling of architects plans and the launch of a new website.

In May of 2019, the former governor of Mountjoy Prison, John Lonergan, visited Moneymore and gave an impassioned speech about how wrong it is for the powers that be to build large public housing estates without any social infrastructure for local communities.

The seeds that were sown that day were nurtured by the Drogheda Implementation Board and local organisations such as the Connect Family Resource Centre, Cable Youth Diversion, the Moneymore Afterschool Club and others.

On Thursday last embers of the Moneymore Townland Community Hub Committee (MTCH ) officially launched their new website www.mtch.ie  at Moneymore Boxing Club.

Neil from Van Dyke architects also gave a presentation of the proposed community hub and everyone in attendance had the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback.

Both the community and local agencies in attendance were asked 'What would this building mean to you' with the reel available to view on the Connect FRC Facebook page. 

Once built, this facility will provide a fit for purpose safe, secure, space for families, children and young people to come together to work for their communities and to access, with dignity, essential front-line services with a sports hall and a social enterprise cafe.

Speaking about the launch, Deputy Joanna Byrne said, “This is a very positive day for Moneymore and the wider townland as the vision for the new community hub was launched.

“A space where existing frontline services that support this whole community will come together to build, to grow and to thrive.

“I have been a huge advocate for this project since its inception in my time on the Council, and now as a TD I will be banging down doors to ensure Government steps up to fund this vital community amenity and bring this vision into a reality.

“The services Connect FRC, Cable Youth Diversion Project, Moneymore Community House and the after-school club provide, have crucially supported people, rebuilt community confidence and empowered this community to grow over very tough times in recent years and I'm excited to see what their strengthened and continued collaboration will bring in facilities that will finally meet their needs and compliment the fantastic services they provide. 

The MTCH committee are working really hard fundraising with their next big event happening on Easter Monday at 11am on the PANCR road.  We encourage all to log onto the website to see the journey to date and see the vision and plans for the new centre. 

While you are on the site you might consider making a donation to this very worthy cause.