Ton of activity at Toonagh Hall

THE OLD TOONAGH SCHOOL was opened in 1845 just before Ireland’s great famine and continued to be the local education centre until 1964 when the new school was built.

In 1971 the hall was built costing a few thousand pounds and this has served the local and wider community well. Toonagh Ceili Band was formed and many notable musicians began their careers under Frank Custy’s tuition. Frank continues to play in the kitchen every Wednesday from 1pm to 3.30pm

In 1983 a sports complex was built for around £25,000. Clare County Council made a grant of £9,000 available, a huge amount of voluntary labour and an excellent fund raising group contributed to this major task.

In 2021 Dysart-Toonagh Group Water Scheme took on the €100,000 renovation of the upstairs in the old school building which is now home to their office a bathroom and a meeting room.

Indoor Football, Basketball, Volleyball and Handball were some of the games played over the years. Handball was the game that was most successful. The Handballers of Toonagh proudly carried it’s name throughout the country and beyond winning numerous titles. Cumann na mBunscoil Handball first began in Toonagh and became a national competition. Most recently Toonagh Handball Club have won in the All Ireland under 14’s and under 15’s doubles championship.

A new hall committee was elected at the end of November 2022 and they are currently embarking on the enormous task of renovating the Hall which includes, new Ladies and Gents toilets, the installation of a disability toilet, rewiring and upgrading of the electrics, insulation of the walls and ceilings, new windows and main front door and finally the upgrading of the kitchen units. While there are grants available for so much, most of the works will be funded by the hall and as such there will be a lot of fundraising to do. Donations are also hugely appreciated.

We currently have number of activities available in the hall and Kitchen. Fitness with Ciara on a Monday and Wednesday, Irish Dancing lessons with Tony Smith on a Monday and Friday with one of his students, Aoife Bane currently heading to the World Championships in Montreal. Social Dancing lessons with Eva Ruh on a Tuesday night, Coffee and crafts every Wednesday morning, Music with Frank Custy on a Wednesday afternoon and our newest addition Toonagh Car Boot Sale every Sunday 10 am till 2 pm. We are available to hire for Sports training, Meetings, Parties, Fitness classes, Yoga, and many more. Please come along to any of our activities and support the Hall. Without community support places like Toonagh Hall cannot survive and we would love to still be open to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Hall/school in 2045.