The Social and Commercial Renewal of Churchtown
Churchtown is a small village in north County Cork that went into serious decline from 1950. The Churchtown Village Renewal Trust was founded in 1997 to support the renewal and development of Churchtown village in North County Cork and what has happened in this small village is now recognised by many as a model for other small communities. The Churchtown success is built on three essential pillars:
Pillar 1: Voluntary Sector
Churchtown Village Renewal Trust
Churchtown Development Association
Churchtown GAA.Pillar 2: Local Commercial Risk Sector
Led by local entrepreneurs in the tourist, housing and enterprise sectors. The simple facilities that “tourist product” provides in a small community such as accommodation, food, a place to bring a visitor (or entrepreneur, politician of civil servant) is a vital requirement to a renewal.
Pillar 3: Regional and Governmental Sector
Supported by FÁS, Ballyhoura Development Ltd, Cork North Enterprise, Cork County Council, Bord Fáilte and Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sports.
On their own the first two pillars of the development are capable of creating the environment for success over a long period but implementation can be expedited exponentially with appropriate support from regional and governmental agencies.
Any pillar needs a sound foundation and the following four key ingredients are included in the base that supports the Churchtown pillars:
– Planning in advance but flexible to a changing environment
– Professional voluntary and executive management
– Project management and self development training
– Excellence in communications
In summary, a carefully planned combination of social and commercial initiatives supported by governmental agencies with excellent local planning, professional management, appropriate training and first class communication has created a dynamic environment in what was a dying village up to 1996.
Further information by emailing Gerry Murphy or ringing him at +353 (0)86 2563 813.
