About Us
Our Vision
Moneymore Townland Community HUB (MTCH) will be an inclusive, safe space designed to support the well- being and prosperity of the community of Drogheda and its environs for generations to come.
Our Mission
To manage a flagship facility, bringing together projects and services where the community can participate and be supported to fulfil their needs ,and advance their ambitions in relation to family life, health, education, training ,recreation civic and social engagement.
Our Progress to Date
2018
Concerned about the growing demands for their support services and their lack of space to accommodate that demand a group of community organisations based in Moneymore Townland met with Chief Executives of Louth County Council and Louth Local Development to discuss the potential for a community centre development to cater for the colocation of services as well as providing recreational and social space for the community. The broad catchment area supported by these services; the significant levels of disadvantage all featured in this early discussion. The group were advised to complete a feasibility Study to determine the need for a Community Centre.
2019
Louth Local Development provided funding for the completion of a “Feasibility Study to Determine the Need for a Community Hub in the Moneymore Townland area of Drogheda”. This study strongly validated the need for such a resource in the area.
Moneymore Consortium is established in response to the Feasibility study. It consisted of representatives from Moneymore Community House Ltd, Connect Family Resource Centre, Foróige CABLE Youth Diversion Project, and Moneymore Afterschool Club (Drogheda Youth Development) and volunteers. Two members of Louth County Council staff join the Consortium
2020
A greenfield site between Moneymore Lane and Laurence’s Park (Skelly’s Lane) on lands owned by Louth County Council is identified as the most suitable location by the Moneymore Consortium.
The Consortium do essential preparatory work in relation to governance and development of a business plan, and the promotion of the development directly to Government Departments and Ministers and Elected Representatives.
A Community survey is undertaken across Drogheda and there is a wide endorsement of the development.
2021
Publication of the Scoping Report into Community Safety and Wellbeing in Drogheda and the Drogheda Report Implementation Plan, underpinned by a Government commitment to prioritise delivery of actions listed in the Plan.
Action 4.1 of the Plan states “The Northside/Moneymore community hub facility should continue to be progressed….This facility should accommodate the provision of services currently provided by bodies forming the Moneymore Consortium, as well as providing a hub for a wider array of community services, provided by statutory as well as community and voluntary agencies.”
The Department of Justice, on foot of an application from Moneymore Consortium, provides €15,000 through Dormant Accounts Funding to the Moneymore Consortium to support the procurement of architectural services to develop a preliminary site plan, including an estimate of construction costs, for the Moneymore Community Hub Facility.
2022
Following a Tender process Architects are appointed. A pre-planning process with LCC Planning Section is completed.
It is agreed that the proposed site is the most suitable location, subject to securing capital funding and ratification by Elected Members of Louth County Council.
The Consortium also carry out site visits to other facilities to identify the most appropriate business model for the space.
The business model for the building is both financially and environmentally sustainable. The facility will include a recreation space; rooms for hire alongside a café and gym which will be operated as a social enterprise.
The resulting Architectural Design and Feasibility study is launched in Droichead Arts Centre.
Written commitments are secured from anchor tenants (Foróige; Connect FRC/Tusla; Drogheda Youth Development)
2023
A Project Implementation Team consisting of Louth County Council staff, Moneymore Consortium Members and Community Representatives with experience in delivering capital projects is established.
The announcement that the new Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF) providing capital funding for new build community facilities provides a significant boost.
A specific requirement of the CCIF is to have a statutory agency as lead Partner.
Louth County Council agree to be the lead on this project.
All applications to this fund have Part 8 planning in place.
Moneymore Townland Community Hub (MTCH) is formally established as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
Following a proposal submitted by MTCH CLG to Drogheda Implementation Board, and considered by the Department of Rural and Community Development, funding of €80,000 is provided by that Department to progress preparatory work which must be undertaken as a precursor to the development of a capital project such as this.
2024
Following exploration of options by the Project Implementation Team an invitation was
issued via the E-tender portal tenders from Architectural firms to provide a tender for
this Architect led Project Management Design Team services for the detailed design
and construction management of Moneymore Townland Community Hub. This process
was led by the Louth County Council Energy and Facilities Team with support from the
Project Implementation Team and remains subject to further discussion.
The 2024 Community Centres Investment Fund opens for Refurbishments only.
2024-2025
Work will continue on ensuring the necessary approvals are in place to facilitate
application for an anticipated 2025 Community Centres Investment Fund New Build
scheme. This will involve securing funds to bring the project to Part 8 and securing the
support of Elected Members for both Part 8 and Section 183 transfer if application is
successful.
To avail of an anticipated required (and maximum) grant of €6 million under the
Community Centre Investment Fund New Build strand will require the Moneymore
Townland Community Hub CLG to raise €300,000 match funding (5%). Work continues
on this with a large scale fundraiser planned for October 2024.
Website for MTCH CLG is in development, with thanks to funding from Louth Local
Development
MTCH CLG are progressing an application for Charitable Status with the Charities
Regulator
Our Vision is:
‘to provide an inclusive safe space designed to support the well-being and prosperity of
the community for generations to come’ can only be realised with you continued
support.
Our Mission is:
‘To manage a Flagship facility, bringing together projects and services where the
community can participate and be supported, to fulfil their needs, and advance their
ambitions in relation to family life, health, education, training, recreation, civic and
social engagement.’
Our Values
The Moneymore Townland Community Hub, once built, will operate according to the following values.
Our Partners
Our Partners in making Drogheda a better place.
