Over 150 people turned up to watch the President officially open the new Ahane- Castleconnell-Montpelier childcare facility, a day that was a distant dream for the original committee when they formed in 1997.

Another big crowd was in Banogue for the official opening of the Tots to Teens Banogue Community Crèche.

The chairman of ACM in Castleconnell, John MacNamara, said when the first committee was formed 12 years ago, they allhadsomething in common.

"We were all a little bit mad because we had this idea that we might set up a community centre fromnothing but everyonegot togetherand
had this vision of setting up the community centre we have today.

"Through thick and thin this group has stuck together and delivered this facility," said Mr MacNamara.

President McAleese said the "madness" is exactly what got them to the stage they are at.

"It's extraordinary that sort of madness that besets people –
it's ambition but it's never an ambition for the self. It's always an ambition for place and for people and for community. And that's what we're celebrating here today as we open this gorgeous place.
People care so much for their community that they worked hard and they pulled a team together. There's a lovely old expression that says 'a good start is half the work' and that's we want for our children."

Then with a haon, a dó, a trí which everyone joined in with President McAleese unveiled the plaque and officially opened the ACM childcare facility.