The centre, run by the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes as a church, parish, and community centre, already hosts a range of groups and activities 鈥 from church and prayer groups, the HSE, the ICA, and the Montforts, to music and art lessons and birthday parties. Enable Ireland also provides adult day services for service users in the area from the centre.
However, the building has become a key social hub for Ukrainians who fled the war and settled in Cork, and is now the home of the Ukrainian community choir of Cork, Kalyna, which has gone on to perform at the Cork Choral Festival.
The Carraig Centre secured 鈧185,000 over three tranches of the Department of Rural and Community Development鈥檚 Community Recognition Fund, which was set up to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the work being done to welcome and host new arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.
It also secured 鈧2m in grant funding from the Department of Justice鈥檚 now-closed Immigrant Investor Programme to cover the major refurbishment costs. The funding will cover:
The installation of flexible wall partitions to create adaptable internal spaces for community groups;
The construction of a walkway canopy to connect the existing east wing of the centre, which is currently being refurbished, ensuring all-weather access;
The refurbishment of the west wing to create additional community space.
Lord Mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy welcomed the government鈥檚 commitment to community development in and across the city.
鈥淭he Carraig Centre is a professional, well managed, shared space that is open to all for the improvement of the quality of life for the people of Ballincollig and beyond,鈥 he said.
鈥淚 would like to congratulate the Carrigrohane Union of Parishes on the progressive path they have taken in sharing this community facility way beyond their church community as an exemplar of social inclusion and community development.鈥
Rebecca Loughry, a director of services in the city council鈥檚 Corporate, Community and Cultural Affairs directorate, said the Carraig Centre has consistently supported local community groups and the Ukrainian choir.
鈥淭his is an excellent example of what the Community Recognition Fund is all about in terms of enhancing services for all communities, new and established,鈥 she said.
鈥淚t further adds to our commitment to enhancing and ensuring Cork city鈥檚 reputation as a 鈥榗ity of welcomes鈥 which can be shared by all.鈥
Canon Robert Ferris, rector of Carrigrohane Union of Parishes, described Friday鈥檚 visit by the T谩naiste as an important milestone, bringing together many of the people 鈥 including those from national and local government, their staff, and users of the centre 鈥 who have helped them reach this point.
鈥淲e look forward to serving the community to which we are called and continuing to build upon the rock (Carraig) solid foundations in the months and years ahead,” he said.
The construction work will continue through the summer with minimal disruption to its wide range of community services.