History of the Aistear Iniscealtra Project

Construction began on Aistear Iniscealtra in 1995, but the story began long before that. After winning the National Tidy Towns award in 1981 Mountshannon increasingly became a focal point for development. There was widespread concern as to the nature and extent of some of the proposed development and its impact on the character of the village. The Rectory Field was the only green area in the centre of the village that afforded spectacular views of Lough Derg and Holy Island. At that time, even though infrastructure was adequate for vehicles and boats, there was inadequate recreational facilities for people to relax and savour the landscape. An action group of concerned residents was formed to influence the course of any proposed development in the Rectory Field. Such a consensus was crucial as it provided a platform for a strong local voice in the consideration of any further planning applications for the field and acted as a catalyst for providing the impetus for the development of Aistear Iniscealtra.

In 1991 the Community Council realised that the only way to retain the field as a green area was to buy it. They started negotiations on the purchase of the field with its new owner Egil Schnack, who was willing to let them draw up a plan that would attract funding. The Community council sought assistance from Rural Resource Development Ltd., Shannon, who administered the LEADER Program in Clare. Through the organisation contact was made with Dr. Tom Collins, Head of Adult and community Education, Maynooth. He assisted with the project proposal and organised the production of a video through Kairos.

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In early March 1992 a video team arrived in Mountshannon from Kairos accompanied by Dr. Tom Collins. Gerard Madden, Manager of East Clare Heritage, provided invaluable assistance. He was knowledgeable on the heritage of the area and provided access to Holy Island on the East Clare Heritage boat. The video was produced and in January 1993 the Mountshannon Community Council got a special commendation for the work on the project under the Clare County Council Environmental Awards. The County Clare scheme was aimed at promoting and encouraging environmental awareness.

Prior to winning the Award the Community Council had made a special presentation to Clare County Council in June 1992. Paddy Bugler M.C.C. (R.I.P.) had requested Clare County Council to hold their June monthly meeting in Mountshannon as part of its 250 years celebrations. Paddy introduced Community Council members Pat Donnellan and Liam Waterstone who made a special presentation and a requisition for funding to help with the purchase of the field. As a result the Clare Champion carried a report on June 12th 1992 headed “Major Exhibition Centre planned for Mountshannon”. This was the first public step on the journey towards what is Aistear Iniscealtra. The video, which held the “communities dream for the village", was presented to President Mary Robinson on the occasion of her visit.

In September of the same year the Clare Champion carried yet another report, “Scarce Funds to jeopardise support for Mountshannon Project” and so it went. The Community Council sought every avenue to secure funds to purchase the field.

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In January 1993 Community Council members met with members of Shannon Development to discuss the project. Following the meeting the Council decided to apply for funds to develop an outline strategy for the development of tourism in Mountshannon. The focus of the strategy would be build around the Field. The project was approved, but was later withdrawn by the Community Council. They had decided to become involved with East Clare LEADER Development Association. (E.C.L.D.A.) in the formulating of a development plan for the East Clare Area. Through the E.C.L.D.A. they formed links with Killaloe Community Council who were examining the potential of their area. Members of both groups joined together in the winter of 1993 to complete a FAS Enterprise Project Development Course in Teagasc, Scariff. On completion of the course they jointly made application to RRD Ltd. for funds to carry out a Feasibility study to examine the culture and heritage of the area. Consultant Con Quigley of Simpson Xavier, Limerick, completed the study in cooperation with members of both Community Councils.

Meetings between both communities and the consultants from Simpson Xavier were held regularly in the E.C.L.D.A. offices. This continued up to 1995. A new Community Council had been elected again in Mountshannon and they agreed to continue the efforts to purchase the Field.

In May 1995 Paddy Bugler notified the Community Council that a new scheme was being introduced by the Department of the Environment, an Urban and Village Renewal Programme. A meeting was quickly organised with Ciaran Lynch, Chief Planning Executive of Clare County Council.

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The Community Council prepared an illustrated presentation of their vision for development in the village. Ciaran Lynch was aware of the proposal for the field and he suggested seeking professional assistance to draw up a plan reflecting the reality on the ground.

The Community Council sought assistance from Architect Neil Hill to draw up the project. At the time the Council sought a meeting with Dr. Eoin Grogan, Archaeologist and Director of the North Munster Discovery Program. They had approximately two weeks to make an application.

A meeting took place in the restaurant in Cois Na hAbhana in early May 1995. Present at the meeting were members of RRD Ltd, Gerard Kennedy, Doirin Graham, Dr. Eoin Grogan, Neill Hill and Community Council members. Discussion centred on the representation of spirituality and the preservation of the open nature of the field. At the end of May 95 the project was submitted to Clare County Council for approval under the Urban and Village Renewal Scheme.

In August 1995 the Community Council were notified through Paddy Bugler that the application was successful. The long wait was over and a new phase began. Members of the Community Council met with Egil Schnack in the Mountshannon Hotel in late August 1995. Mr. Pat Mulcahy, an auctioneer from Killaloe, and Ms. Bridget Meehan, solicitor from Limerick were present to discuss the purchase of the Field. Egil supported the concepts of the project and agreed to sell to the community at a reasonable price.

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Clare County Council provided the funds necessary to purchase the field and the Mountshannon Community Council became one of the first six projects in County Clare for Urban and Village Renewal Grant Aid. The monies were awarded on condition that the local community provided matched funds. A major Consultation Programme was quickly organised. Contact was made with eighteen voluntary organisations in the parish of Mountshannon and Whitegate. A series of three meetings was held to discuss the project with the members. The Community Council felt it was a “now or never” situation.

In late September 1995 a public meeting was held in the Community Hall, Mountshannon. The Community Council Members, Dr. Eoin Grogan and Neil Hill were present to outline the project and answer any questions. The hall was packed for the meeting. The project was presented, the immediacy of the project was highlighted and the stance taken by the people who had signed the petition fourteen years prior to the meeting was recalled.

The people of the parish have long been known for their community spirit and commitment to the local community development and this spirit came to life at the meeting. The people agreed to support the Community Council with the purchase of the field. On the night pledges came immediately from the floor and donations were received.

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A strategy to collect the matched funding was put in place and in the following weeks the Community council worked intensively. The participants of the Community Response Training Programme, who were responsible for the Mountshannon 250 Journal, and the FAS Community Employment Scheme (C.E.P.) supported them. Community Council members were also working on the production of a brochure, which would depict the project and were assisted by local artist John Cleary and Neil Hill.

This map is an artists impression of the Aistear Project. Click on it to get a bigger version.

In November 1995, Mr. Donal Carey T.D., Minister, launched the brochure to a packed community hall in the company of Mr. Ciaran Lynch, Clare County Council and Mr. Donal Griffin, FAS.

Prior to the launch the attendance heard an up to date report on the progress of the fundraising campaign. Support came from the multiplicity of sources, namely Coillte, local groups, clubs and associations and the community in general. Inniscealtra Community Development Ltd was established to oversee the project. It was announced to the meeting that the Rectory Field was now in Community ownership. Teas and refreshments were served in the ensuing excitement. The following morning a delegation from the company travelled to the U.S.A., where Fr. Liam Minogue, a native of the parish, graciously accommodated them.

Work on the first phase commenced immediately and by Christmas the first trees had been planted, studded fences installed and a willow wall sponsored by Coillte planted along the boundary. On the 22nd of December 1995 a telephone message arrived to contact Mr. Donal Carey who had obtained £25,000 from the Department of the Taioseachs Reconciliation Fund for the development of the project. It was the best ever Christmas present to the group.

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In 1996 the Community Council applied to FAS for more participants to work on the project and were successful. In the same year application was again made to Rural Resource Development (RRD Ltd.), Shannon for maximum funds of £50,000 to assist the development of the project. The application was again successful and has proved to be a key element with FAS in the construction of the project. Since 1996 the work has been under the supervision of Tom McNamara, FAS supervisor. Inniscealtra Community Development Ltd. has worked hand in hand with him, the Community Council and relevant organisations in all aspects of the development. Throughout the process there has been a continuity of members in both groups, i.e. the Community Council and the company, to facilitate the work.

During the construction of the Maze it became apparent to the working group that there was a space underneath the centre which could be utilised as a lecture and administrative area. Applications were quickly made to Clare County Council to amend the plans and the structure was raised slightly to facilitate the development. Toilets, administrative area and lecture area were incorporated into the project.

The construction work on the project has been carried out through the FAS Community Employment Programme. Local men and women have been involved in the stonework, building, piping, landscaping, tiling and carpentry etc. They have been crucial to the project and it is fair to say that without them the project could not have been completed. Credit goes to the supervisor Tom McNamara, whose creative talents were to the fore through the process, to Egil Schnack, to the Community Council, Iniscealtra Community Development Ltd., Coillte, FAS, RRD Ltd. and Clare County Council for their massive contribution to the project.

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In April 1997 the Community Council lost one of its founder members, Paddy Bugler. His sudden death was a great loss to the community and to the local organisations he was involved with. At the Offertory of his funeral Mass the community council presented the keystone of the Arch at the Main Entrance. Its significance is symbolic since it is the stone that keeps the other stones from collapsing. In September 1999, Clare County Council held their adjourned meeting in the new clubhouse at Woodpark Golf Course. The Council had come at the request of Paul Bugler M.C.C. for a special commemorative event. At the meeting, Mr. Sean Hillary, Chairman, put the keystone in place. He also unveiled a plaque in memory of Paddy and of his unwavering belief in community spirit. After placing the keystone, Sean Hillary gave a commitment that the community would get all the support it needed to complete the project. A couple of months later it was confirmed by Paul Bugler M.C.C. that the necessary funds had been delegated in the estimates to complete the project.

In late Autumn 99 Inniscealtra Community Development Ltd. decided to make an all out effort to complete the project for the millennium. They set Midsummer evening as the date for the official opening.

In April 2000 a meitheal was organised to assist with the planting of the maze. Men, women, children and visitors to the area gathered to plant the three and a half thousand trees, shrubs and plants that feature throughout the Maze. By nightfall the children had laid out a long winding trail of empty flowerpots. The minds, hearts and hands of the community were indeed engaged in their own project.