The Ray Community Group, based in the townland nestled between the larger towns of Rathmullan, Ramelton,  Milford and Kerrykeel in Co. Donegal, has been to the fore in local and community development in its area for a number of years.

Over that period, the group has worked tirelessly to provide recreation and sporting opportunities for the community, including playing fields, dressing rooms and a tennis court, all funded through small grants and fundraising activities carried out within the community. The group’s vision was that a new community centre would form a hub in the heart of the community and would provide a much needed social boost to the area.

 

 

 

“Yes we had a big vision and some people thought it was too big for a small community such as ours, but we knew we could fulfil our goal of building a centre for our community” – Fiona Boyle, Chairperson of Ray Community Group

 

…..we knew we could fulfil our goal of building a centre for our community”

 With the support of LEADER, the Group planned and delivered a new community centre that acts as a resource for all members of the community by providing a space for a wide range of recreational activities and services, allowing them to secure the long term sustainability and viability of their small rural community. The Group was actively involved in the planning and construction phase and continue to be involved in the running of the centre. They employ one Tús participant on a part-time basis in the role of Office Administrator and they also employ a care-taker. The Group aims to employ more people in the future. “Most of us went to school together and now we are rearing our families here. While other communities are suffering depopulation and emigration, we are witnessing the opposite” – Marianne Buchanan, Assistant Chairperson of the Ray Community Group.