Dooneen Community Education Centre in Tempo has gone global with the launch of a new website.

The popular education centre, just outside Tempo, officially launched its website recently at an event attended by a host of people, including Centre users; committee members and local residents.

Volunteers and staff from EverybodyOnline, a project delivered by the charity Citizens Online on behalf of BT and the Department of Finance and Personnel, were also on hand to show people how to log onto the website. The initiative helps communities across Northern Ireland take advantage of the opportunities that digital technology and the Internet has to offer,

Mary Hamilton, Project Co-ordinator at Dooneen Community Education Centre, has been working with EverybodyOnline to develop the website.

Speaking at the website launch, Mary commented: "I knew Dooneen needed a website. However, I did not know anything about constructing a website and thought it would cost a fortune. Without EverybodyOnline, we would still be just thinking about it. Tracy Armstrong has been a tremendous help and made me realise this was a real possibility. Tracy is so positive and enthusiastic that she made it seem easy.

"We're very excited about the website as we see it as another way to reach out to people to let them know what's happening at Dooneen. The use of the Internet is spreading so quickly that many local people will be able to check our programme of activities.

"We have been running computer courses continuously and helping more and more people to feel confident about using IT. The idea that people from across the world can dip into news from our wee townland of Dooneen at any time really staggers me. Maybe we will hear from past pupils of the old primary school at Dooneen who emigrated."

The website contains information on all aspects of Dooneen life, including courses at the Centre, news, events and a photo gallery.

EverybodyOnline also ran a number of Internet taster sessions for Dooneen committee members, equipping them with the skills to use the Internet.

EverybodyOnline Project Officer, Tracy Armstrong, said: "Dooneen is an excellent example of how the Internet allows a rural organisation to have a global presence, from which it will undoubtedly benefit."

Log on to www.dooneen.org.uk or to find out more call Mary Hamilton on 028 8954 1841.