Limerick community is thriving thanks to unified approach in village and surrounds

CROOM Community Development Association (CCDA) is showing that there is a lot more to their community than meets the eye with its end-of-year review.

CCDA says there is much written in relation to the demise of small-town Ireland but behind that, there are thriving communities that rally together to create a vitality that may not be obvious to the outsider.

CCDA was established in 1988 and a series of boards propelled the organisation and created amenities in Croom including Croom Sports Complex, Croom Town Park and Croom Civic Centre.

The past year has seen a continuation of the work carried out by CCDA as many events and projects which took place throughout the year helped to enliven the village.

CEO of Croom Community Development Patricia Ryan reflects that, “It is in coming together that the community is successful… No organisation can be successful on behalf of a community without the support of all the people and institutions.”

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With the assistance of funding from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth, an event called Welcome to Croom was held last May.

Welcome to Croom allowed those who are new to Croom such as those who have moved to Croom from abroad to meet residents, associations, and organisations from across the community.

CCDA hosted various events for children throughout the year from learning the principles of rock climbing at the Croom sports hall to the fun run on St Patrick’s Day to an Easter egg hunt on Good Friday.

Pupils in third class at St Mary’s National School are custodians of Croom Town Park and over the past twelve months they undertook the planting of crocuses to ensure that there is food for insects in the early spring.

There were plenty of get-togethers held by CCDA including Dancing in Halpin's to Liam O’Brien, and an afternoon tea event, while St Patrick’s Day saw the return of the annual family run and plenty more.