The Spirit of Conna

Conna village is at the heart of a small rural community in North East Cork on the banks of the Bride, two miles from the Waterford border. It has an exceptional community spirit that has dared to dream big. We hope the following will illustrate this point.
In 1943, Conna was a pleasant little village with a population of 66. However, the community was fragmented and disjointed, with little opportunity for social or cultural outlets and little to unite the people. But something happened in Conna that year, something which sent out an ever expanding ripple that still enhances local community life. A small number of people with vision decided to set up a local guild of Muintir na Tire. This organisation was founded in 1937 to promote community development and encourage a strong self-help mentality.
The first priority of the new Guild was to build a hall to cater for local social, cultural and sporting activities. This was achieved by direct labour, 70% of it voluntary. With great celebrating the community hall was officially opened by Fr Hayes, founder of Muintir na Tire, on December 8^th 1945.
It is evident that the unique community spirit which surfaced that year is still as strong and vibrant today as it was then. “From a little acorn the mighty oak grows”.

Achievements by Conna Muintir na Tire
Electricity
Members put in long hours and hard work in trying to bring rural electrification to Conna. This work began in 1947 and finally bore fruit when the official switch-on took place on Wednesday April 29^th 1953.
Education
From the 1940’s to the 1970’s many local people availed of a variety of educational opportunities, which were rare in those days. These included adult education classes, agricultural scholarships, drama classes, secretarial courses, local history classes etc.
Services
Many vital services were provided for Conna through representations made by the local Guild members to Cork County Council. These included housing, better water supply, better roads and public lighting.


Bringing industry to Conna
One of the first objectives of the newly elected Council was to attract industry to the village. In 1977 Connabride Plastics was established, manufacturing plastic food boxes for export. Originally it employed 35 people. In 1978 a cigar manufacturing factory was also set up employing 16 people. The plastics factory is still thriving and employing a large number of people today.


The Sports Complex
In the early 1980’s it was obvious that the capacity of the hall, built in 1945, needed to be extended. The local people contributed generously, as always, to the fundraising campaign. At one stage a deputation of members met with Mr George Birmingham TD Junior Minister at the Dept. of Labour who drove a hard bargain. He was prepared to give a grant of £75,000 if the Council raised £100,000 by September 1^st. Impossible? Not for these boys. The money was raised in time and the grant obtained. The new Sports Complex was officially opened on Sunday October 26^th 1986. It consisted of a link corridor, canteen, office, meeting room, toilets and showers, large sports hall, handball alley, games rooms and viewing area. It is still buzzing today.

Car park and tennis court development
A big fundraising drive was started for this development and again the local people responded generously. Grants were also received from various sources. The work was completed in 1995 and together with the Sports Complex was a fitting reward for those people who had the vision and determination, despite many obstacles, to see the project through.

Awards

• In 1988 Conna Community was the overall winner in the Farmers Journal/Bank of Ireland Community Awards and they received their award from President Patrick Hillary.
• In 1999 Conna Community Care sub-committee won the Chubb Ireland Community Award.

Recent years
Conna Community Council has not rested on its laurels in recent years;
Footpaths were constructed leading to the local school and also one leading to the Community Sportsfield. This field now also has new dressing rooms and meeting rooms and flood lights.
The 1945 hall also had a facelift. A new roof and floor were put in and the walls dry-lined, making it very comfortable.

Housing for the elderly and Day Care Centre
After much research and fundraising the Community Council realized a long-held ambition and built Conna Community Housing and Day Care Centre. It includes 20 housing units and contains state-of-the-art equipment. It is run by the Council as a limited company. It was officially opened by President Mary McAleese on June 24^th 2010.

Childcare Facility
Seeing the demand for a crèche in the locality the Community Council decided to do something about it. The work came to fruition when, on Friday 29^th June 2012, Minister Frances Fitzgerald, then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, officially opened Conna Childcare Centre close to the Sports Complex.
There are at present 120 children on the books with 16 qualified staff on the payroll, plus temporary staff. The Community Council runs it as a limited company.

Conna Community Council’s philosophy is best summed up by this sign in the canteen;
Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.

Tom Finn   

  email: tomtosh2012@gmail.com

 Our web site: http://www.connacommunity.com