The Rural Community Network has strong Fermanagh links. These were reflected at its recent annual conference in Enniskillen when delegates visited four areas as part of a 'study visit' on the afternoon of the first day.
They were Lack/Ederney/Kesh, Irvinestown/Ardress, Belnaleck/Derrylin, and Killyfoale/Newtownbutler.
Kesh Development Association, Ederney Community Development Trust, Lack Women's Group formed one study visit. KDA was established in 1965 and, since 1976, it has organised Kesh Carnival and the annual Christmas lighting. Kesh community centre is the focus for meetings of various groups, but the Association will help those who use other facilities,
Ederney Trust was set up in 1990, and can count to a long list of achievements, among them a funded guest inn and licensed restaurant, the refurbishment of the local Townhall and the formation of a farmers' group with 53 members.
Lack Women's Group, formed in '97 took a long lease on the local Orange Hall in 2004 to operate as its centre, it being the only building of a suitable size for community-based activities.
There are two community-based groups in Irvinestown, the Fairs and Markets Trustees, and the Irvinestown Trustee Enterprise Company. The latter was formed in 1992 from the Fairs and Markets Trustees and carries on a wide range of schemes to enhance the town's appearance.
Ardress Community Association, formed in 1996, undertakes projects of benefit to the local community as well as visitors, for instance sheepdog trials which attract competitors from all over Ireland and from Scotland.
Its base is on the former site of Ardress Church of Ireland parish centre which was built in 200 at a cost of £330,000. The money was raised mainly through fund-raising.
Aghykillymaude Community Association, Derrylin is a lough shore community of 300 people who came together in 1988 to save the local National School from being sold off after its closure. The Association has majored on the successful revival of rural customs, cards, dancing, skittles and, of course, the mumming tradition. To date, the group has established a mumming exhibition centre and it has now embarked on building a strawcraft school, with residential student accommodation.
Cleenish Community Project at Arney, set up in 1978, can point to an excellent community hall built at a cost of £395,000 to which the group contributed £79,000. The group is very much 'village' orientated, hall, chapel, school and playing field, and ensuring maximum use of each component, and it also runs an independent playgroup.
Belnaleck Community Action Group was launched in 2005, principally to get a handle on the building boom that saw planning permission sought for, say, 80-plus houses in the one field. It wanted a united voice to persuade/advise the various government departments. It has successfully lobbied for traffic calming measures, the repair of footpaths and a village orderly, and it recently oversaw the opening of a safe play park.
Killyfole Development Association was set up in 1999 to regenerate a scenic area along the lough of that name on the road between Donagh and Roslea. It embarked on a three-phase environmental improvement programme that comprises a field study park, a public walking trail around the lough, and, hopefully, local economic use of refurbished local old buildings.
Newtownbutler Development Association, formed in 1990, has since then, undertaken three major projects, the Lanesborough Arms Hotel, a playpark, and a community centre. The latter was developed from the old courthouse building and hosts a range of cross-community activities, from crochet to an after school club.
