Mount Temple raises €160,000 to pay for hall refurbishment

It takes a village, or so the saying goes, and that's certainly been the case in Mount Temple, where the local community has raised a whopping €160,000 over the past five years to help pay off the cost of refurbishing the community hall.

The project, which also included €280,000 in Leader funding, saw the building being given a new lease of life with a new heating system and sections of new roofing, as well as new windows and furniture.

It has transformed the building from a dark, cold space that received little use to a bright hall that is once again the heart of the community.

Marie Allen, of the current Mount Temple hall committee, told the Westmeath Independent this week that the current committee was formed in 2016 as the previous committee had retired.

"We knew the hall was in very bad disrepair and we started working on it from day one," said Marie.

Initially, the group held small fundraisers, not realising how much work was required, nor how much it would cost.

"When we inherited the hall, we inherited a small debt and we had to clear that," said Marie. She explained that local architect Louise Heavin was involved initially and did up some drawings for the committee.

"In the end we had to get a firm of architects and engineers," said Marie, who said the committee engaged the services of Tullamore's Peter Lyons and company. "They met us in the hall and went through what we needed to do," said Marie.

It became clear they needed a new heating system and new windows.

"It was so cold and dark, there was very little going on it it. The Active Age met there every two weeks and Mount Temple Drama Group rehearsed there, in very primitive conditions."

Marie said that once they had an idea of the level of work required, they knew they needed money, and went to Leader in a bid to secure funds. They also began to hold more fundraisers within the community.

"In 2017 we really got going," she said, explaining that they wrote a letter to the people in the community outlining what they were trying to do and started with a Christmas raffle.

This was followed by a flower show in The Grand Hotel, Moate, and a Christmas concert organised by TR Dallas (Tom Allen).

"We got great support from our community from the very beginning," said Marie. "Peter Ormond from Leader was a huge help to us, and Martina Moore in Clann Credo."

With their help, and the unwavering support of the community, the committee got the project up and running. A bridging loan of €70,000 was secured from Clann Credo, and they drew down Leader funding of €280,000.

"We really didn't get into big fundraisers until 2019," explained Marie.

And in just over five years the members of the community have raised €160,000, which covered the remainder of the costs and allowed the committee to repay the Clann Credo loan.

Marie added that their first golf classic was organised by Jack Allen in 2020 and has since become an annual event, as has their Christmas concert and their St Patrick's Day Big Breakfast.

"They were the three main fundraisers. Last October we ran a tea party, which was very successful, and we hope to do that again this year. The big one this year was 'A Night with the Stars', organised by Tony Allen, and we had TR and all the local talents. So many helped out," said Marie.

"That's what put the icing on the cake for us," said Marie, explaining that the money raised from the concert allowed the committee to pay off the loan and means the hall is now debt-free.

"The support we have gotten from the community has been tremendous from the word go," she said. "We never once had a fundraiser that wasn't a success."

She added that they had volunteers who went door to door selling tickets and distributing flyers, as well as publicising events with posters and through social media, and she credited Samantha Carroll for ensuring they got the message out in this way.

The hall itself is now "fully functioning and well utilised by all the community," said Marie.

"It is in use all the time, we have pilates, yoga, the Active Age, Live Longer & Prosper, the GAA, Foróige, and different groups using the meeting room."

She added that while the hall was officially opened in 2023 by then-Minister and now-Presidential candidate Heather Humphreys, it was the concert this year that allowed them to make the final repayments.

Marie credited Leader and Clann Creda for their support and encouragement. She thanked Fr PJ Fitzpatrick for giving them the use of the church for their first concert, and said they got support from everyone they asked over the years.

"That's what makes a community," she said. "The community was the backbone of support to us. We would like to thank anyone who helped us out in any way, or supported us in any way.

"It's a lovely hall in perfect condition. We are proud of what we have done, and where it is. It's time for us to hand over to the next generation," concluded Marie.