Kilbride Parish – the ‘blueprint for rural Ireland’

Following on from the Covid pandemic, life has gradually returned to normal in the parish of Kilbride.

School Bhríde has had a very successful year; a new extension area was put in place, an extra teacher was appointed, and plans are advanced for an extra classroom.

A sensory garden which was also developed beside the school recently is now open to all. This was 75% funded by Roscommon LEADER Partnership, with fundraising being contributed by parents, teachers, and through generous sponsorships from many local businesses. Thanks to all for your generosity.

Cuan Bhride Childcare Centre is thriving and very busy work is ongoing on the outside play areas. Work is also in progress on the houses for the elderly, with all of these properties to be painted this summer.

Kilbride Community Centre is also very busy at present. Tenders are currently being sought for improvements and energy generation in the form of roof panels. Kilbride bus is also busy, with strong demand for this service.

The Derrane area too is experiencing a lot of activity, with its school, community centre, and childcare facilities always in demand. In addition, developments are being carried out to the facilities at Derrane Resource Centre, which hosted the retirement of long-term worker Mary Ganley a few months ago.

The local defibrillator committee had a successful fundraiser recently and training courses have been

Kilbride Community Centre is also very busy at present. Tenders are currently being sought for improvements and energy generation in the form of roof panels renewed for participants around the parish.

A reminder that the Kilbride Community Text Alert is always available to include new members and you can also apply for pendants for the elderly.

Kilbride GAA meanwhile has a huge panel of underage football (both ladies and men), and all are experiencing success in their own age groups.

Special thanks to Fr Eamon Conaty and Fr Eugene McLoughlin for their help assisting new Parish Priest Fr Pravin and all the volunteers and scheme participants who help in the Fourmilehouse and Derrane area, both in the Church and when it comes to keeping the grounds in great shape.

Later this summer, there will be a memorial erected in the local area in memory of our much-missed late Parish Priest Fr Ray Browne, who was in the parish for 34 years. Contributions for the memorial are very welcome and much appreciated, and can be made on the iDonate page or through any committee member.

Thanks to Roscommon LEADER Partnership, Roscommon County Council, and Pobal for the financial help and for working with all the community groups over the difficult years. This has helped make Kilbride Parish the ‘blueprint for rural Ireland’, as many agencies have termed it. Over the Covid years, many sad deaths took place in the area, in addition to a lot of sicknesses being experienced. Our sympathy and prayers go out to all these people and their families.

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