Ederney residents unite behind ambitious plan for new community hall

THE village of Ederney is coming together with enthusiasm to make a long-held dream a reality, the construction of a new community hall that will serve the entire area for generations to come.

At the forefront of the project is Sean Donnelly, originally from Beragh, but a proud Fermanagh resident for over two decades.

Now serving as the Development Officer for the new community hall, Sean is deeply committed to seeing the vision come to life.

“For years, we’ve relied on St Joseph’s Hall for community events,” Sean said. “But it’s just not fit for purpose anymore. It’s too small and lacks the modern facilities we need. We’re building something that can meet the needs of everyone."

The proposed hall, which will accommodate up to 500 people, is designed to be a multi-functional space capable of hosting a wide variety of events, from concerts and birthday parties to sports and social gatherings.

“We’ll be able to do so much more,” Sean continued. “Right now, if it rains, people have to drive to Omagh to play indoor soccer or GAA. With the new sports hall, we can do it right here. The Youth Club will also have its own dedicated space where young people can run events and take part in creative workshops.”

A separate room for arts and crafts, a performance space, and multiple-use meeting areas will ensure that all local organisations have a central home.

The new hall will be built beside the GAA club in Ederney, on a 20-acre site that already includes the primary school, a nursery, and a play park.

“It’s in the heart of the village, with great access and parking,” Sean explained. “Having everything on one site means every community organisation can operate together."

The community’s sense of unity is clear not just in their vision but in the way they’re working to fund it. The total cost of the new hall is projected to be £750,000.

So far, they’ve raised £250,000, and now they’re focused on a six-month campaign to raise an additional £150,000 by the end of the year.

To meet that goal, the village has lined up a wide range of fundraising events. One of the most anticipated is the Oscars Night on November 2, where community members are producing seven short films, involving over 100 people. Each participant is committed to raising funds as part of the event.

Other events include a fashion show, a bingo night, and a charity car wash at St Joseph’s Hall on Saturday, May 31. The car wash will charge £10 for cars and £15 for vans or jeeps, with all proceeds going directly to the hall’s construction.

One of the most daring fundraisers, however, comes from 21-year-old Aine Walsh, who is preparing to take a leap for her community, quite literally!

On July 5, Aine will skydive from 15,000 feet in Coleraine, aiming to raise £1,500 for the hall.

“To be honest, I was thinking about what mad thing I could do next,” Aine said with a laugh. “I’ve never done a skydive before, and I hadn’t heard of anyone locally doing it either. So I thought, why not?”

It will be her first time skydiving, and while the nerves are real, she’s focused on the bigger picture.

“I’m excited and nervous at the same time,” she admitted. “But I know how important this hall will be. If I have children one day, I’d love for them to have a place like this in our community. It’s about bringing people and organisations together.”

Aine said the support she’s received has been incredible. “People are amazed I’m doing it, they keep saying, ‘How on earth are you going to jump out of a plane?’ But I’m determined. I just hope I don’t overthink it on the day and can just jump!”

Her family will be there to cheer her on, including her mum and sisters. She’s also encouraging other young people to get involved in fundraising.

“It’s something to brag about,” she said. “It pushes you out of your comfort zone, and that’s not a bad thing. I’d definitely do something like this again.”

Donations to support Aine’s skydive can be made at Mace in Ederney or online via Revolut at revolut.me/aineta9qz.

With three years to go before the projected completion in 2028, the village knows there’s still a long road ahead, but it’s one they’re doing together.

“The support has been overwhelming. People are incredibly motivated. We’ve been blown away by the generosity and spirit of the community," Sean concluded.

To follow updates and support upcoming events, visit the hall’s official Facebook page: facebook.com/

profile.php?id=100064729746536