Project Description

Situated at the mouth of the River Shannon and almost at the tip of the beautiful Loop Head Peninsula, lies the vibrant village of Carrigaholt. With a 15th Century towerhouse overlooking its dual piers, Carrigaholt retains the essence of its heritage as a fishing port whilst providing a vibrant modern village centre for residents and visitors with pubs, a restaurant, a café, a takeaway, a shop, post office, a Church and a combined pre- and primary school.

Carrigaholt is therefore an attractive and thriving village in a beautiful and historic setting. But what of its future?

The rural village in Ireland faces many existential threats. Many factors have influenced the diminution of Irish village life as demographics and employment as well as educational and other societal changes make rural village life and rural livelihoods more difficult or even unsustainable. Carrigaholt however continues to thrive despite these pressures, but they are felt none the less.

The Carrigaholt Development Association (CDA) is community based and facilitates cohesion and common purpose in seeking solutions to local issues from the ground up.The CDA is committed to ensure the village remains a thriving, sustainable community in the future. One key to achieving this is the establishment of a purposeful, self-funding, community-based social enterprise focused on the CDA goals relating to population sustainability, education, employment, pride of place and the environment.

Project Justification & Objectives

The CDA Social Enterprise has one key resource available: The co-op building at Carrigaholt Square.

This building is an attractive stone-faced property located in the centre of the village. This location makes it easily accessible and very convenient, and the property could lend itself to a wide range of uses. It is currently divided into two parts, with one section housing the post office, the other one (formerly home to the Dolphinwatch Carrigaholt office) is currently empty. Bringing this building into full productive service by the CDA, and partners, will act as a catalyst in positively leveraging community potential.

Potential Project Stakeholders*

• Residents of Carrigaholt Village and surrounding area

• Carrigaholt students and their families,

• Farmers and other landowners in the area

• Businesses in the area, their owners, and employees

• Boat operators and owners who use the pier facilities

• Summer residents with holiday or mobile homes

• Visitors including campers, cyclists, swimmers, fishers, nature watchers

• Carrigaholt diaspora

• Loop Head Together, with its many partners, including schools, GAA, cultural organisations, etc.

• Loop Head Tourism

• Clare CoCo

• CLDC

*Potential Project Stakeholders means all stakeholders have not necessarily yet been contacted to help co-design the project, but are mentioned here as they would be a desirable project partner. We may have forgotten some - please let us know!