Kilcormac’s Mooney Terrace celebrates 40th anniversary
A large crowd gathered at Mooney Terrace, Kilcormac on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the estate’s 40th anniversary.
Current and former residents and gathered along with other members of the community on a lovely sunny afternoon to witness the unveiling of a specially commission name stone / plaque by local Independent Cllr John Leahy at the entrance to the estate.
The bunting was out and the estate looked its very best as a result of the residents’ hard work.
The proceedings were greatly enhanced by the presence of the Athlone Youth Band. The band assembled at the Square in Kilcormac and marched to Mooney Terrace entertaining everyone en route. The band then played several tunes and entertained with their routines on the Mooney Terrace green.
Mooney Terrace Residents Association chairperson Pat Mitchell welcomed everyone to the event and thanked the Athlone Youth Band for their excellent entertainment.
Mr Mitchell then proceeded to thank everyone that made the day such a success including sponsors: Mick & Sylvia Kelly; John & Caroline Heffernan; Liam & Maura Doolan; Fiona Reams; Feighery’s Bar; Frank O’Sullivan; Ray Daly and Michelle Regan.
Mr Mitchell also extended thanks to other organisations that have supported Mooney Terrace Residents Association: Offaly Local Development Company for funding towards the group’s recent projects and the support from development worker Declan Costello; The KDA Community Employment Project Supervisor Ger Heenan and workers – Mick Hogan, Fergus Nicholson and Andy Murphy; Offaly County Council local Supervisor Kevin Spain and Area Engineer Pat Pilkington.
While introducing Cllr John Leahy, the Chairperson thanked him for all his support to date.
Cllr Leahy complimented the work of the Residents Association and all of the Mooney Terrace Residents for all their efforts in having the estate looking so well for the 40th Anniversary.
Cllr Leahy and his family have strong links with Mooney Terrace having lived at no. 20 for his first 14 years.
He announced that a €50,000 grant has been secured for Mooney Terrace as a result of him working with the Residents Association and presenting an environmental improvement plan to Offaly County Council. This funding will include resurfacing the rear driveway, replacing fencing at the back and repairing footpaths.
“This is a progressive step in modernising Mooney Terrace and I look forward to the work starting over the coming months,” commented Cllr Leahy.
He urged the residents ‘to build on the positive attitude that has been shown over the past number of years and to support each other to make their estate a place to be proud of’.
Cllr Leahy thanked Offaly County Council and in particular Dermot Mahon and his technical staff / design team for all their support.
The Mooney Terrace name stone / plaque was then officially unveiled by Cllr Leahy to great applause.
Afterwards Declan Costello complimented everyone for having the estate looking so well and he pointed out that Offaly Local Development Company was delighted to be able to support Mooney Terrace residents.
Finally, Mr Mitchell thanked the rest of the Mooney Terrace Residents Association members – Jennie Molloy, Timmy Molloy, JJ Daly, Shirley O’Brien and Nigel Molloy. He also thanked everyone for turning out for the event and afterwards many residents retired to Kellys’ pub for an evening of music and a BBQ.
