ST. MARY’S HALL, Cooley, Co. Louth
Grant received €6,500

An application for the refurbishment of St Mary’s Hall in Cooley was one of the first projects approved under the new LEADER programme (2001–2006). The refurbishments to the kitchen and toilet areas have seen the Parish Hall renovated to meet modern requirements.

Mary Hanlon, secretary of St. Mary’s Hall, stated that, "Without the support of Louth LEADER, the funds required for the refurbishment would have to be generated locally, thus putting an additional burden on parish funds. The hall was erected in the late 1960s, but this was the first time it was modernised. Now the new facilities we will be able to cope with the increased demand for the facility. At present the hall is used for bingo, ballroom dancing, the bowling club, Red Cross socials, the ICA, community alert, aerobics, the Credit Union & Cooley Kickhams AGMs and parish functions. Hopefully, now that we have up-to-date facilities we may be able to run a Summer Camp and possibly a pre-school group."