"It's of huge benefit": Moate's Dun Na Sí features on Ireland AM

Volunteer Olive Quinn has highlighted the benefits Dun Na Sí Amenity & Heritage park has brought to the town of Moate in a recent appearance on Virgin Media One's Ireland AM.

In an interview with presenter Alan Hughes on Wednesday morning, October 7, Olive shared the history behind the foundation of the park.

She has been involved in organising fundraising at Dun na Sí since its 2008 beginning, and dedicates a lot of her time to the committee.

"It was then that the amenity park was developed. A local man Frank Kelly had a vision for a park in Moate for the people of the town, and the wider community.

"The Council were the caretakers of the land. It was a 27 acre site, which was left for the poor people of Moate by a wealthy landowner, so that they could graze a donkey or cow if they had no land of their own."

Olive is a board member of the Amenity Park, and among her many areas of involvement is with a ‘Walk and Talk’ group, who meet at the park every Sunday.

She is modest about much of the work she does at Dun na Si, but is a familiar face around the place, working in different spots.

Olive said the park has been "of huge benefit" to Moate, attracting visitors into the towns many businesses.

"We have in excess of 63,000 tourists and visitors to the park this year.

"That's creating great footfall in the town. People come in and do their shopping, come to the restaurants and cafes, and very often people stay overnight in the hotel.

"It's a unique space. The Amenity Park has a beautiful walkway, a playground, sensory garden, and we have some lovely sculptures there. Then the Heritage Park is steeped in Irish heritage."