The Local Hub – Glenbrohane, Co. Limerick

Please help us raise money to purchase a premise for "Our Local Hub" in Glenbrohane, Co. Limerick

Glenbrohane, a rural community, is situated 3km off the main R513 route linking Limerick and Mitchelstown. The name Glenbrohane (Gleann Bruachain) is translated as Brochans Glenn but has also been known as Glen of the Deer or Fawn. The “village” of Glenbrohane comprises of the community centre, one public house, the primary school, the (catholic) church and a number of mostly owner occupied private residential properties.

Why we need "The Local Hub"

Vision for "The Local Hub"

The vision for the Hub is to create a community resource which will address rural / social isolation in our area.

Aims of "The Local Hub"

The aims of the Hub are as follows

• To promote a sense of social connectedness within the community
• To endeavour to ensure people in the community do not feel socially isolated by providing a meeting place and ancillary services open to all.
• To reduce and or counteract any negative affect rural isolation may have had on the mental health and well being of people living in our community.
• To improve the well being and mental health of people living in the community.

(Three men from our community and one from our neighbouring parish of Knocklong died from depression. The shock and sadness of these popular men dying by suicide has been the main inspiration and driving force behind the Local Hub.)

The impact of pub closures on rural Ireland and social isolation

"The little country pubs are closing -- dozens of them every year -- and a way of life is being lost, a way of socializing which has been at the heart of rural Ireland for generations. The effect of this has been devastating in the more remote and sparsely populated parts of rural Ireland. The old men with the peaked caps who used to drive in a few miles from their farms out in the bogs for a pint or two in the evenings can't do it anymore because of our drink driving laws. As a result many are suffering from isolation and depression."

(www.irishcentral.com)

The Local Hub - A Community Resource to improve social connectedness and the Mental Health and Well-Being of people in our Community

A Lack of amenities, events and activities for all the family to encourage people to stay in the locality was a weakness highlighted in Glenbrohane's Socio Economic Plan 2011 - 2016, the plan also identified the following potential threats faced by the community:

• Difficult getting people together
• Families opting out of community life and going elsewhere
• The fact the community area is quiet spread out

The Hub will address these identified weaknesses and threats in ways which our Community Centre is unable to. While the Community Centre is a very good facility for large events or activities (such as our Baby and Toddler Group, School Concerts, Bingo etc) its size and interior does not lend itself for use with smaller events or activities like those that will be available in the Hub. The Community centre is as aforementioned is made up of one main hall area where all activities and events take place. Currently when the hall is needed the Baby and Toddler Group have to move their toys and equipment up onto the stage or if the stage is needed for the event the toys have to be moved into a small storage shed outside. Once the event is over the Group set up the toys and equipment again in the Hall. Thus it would be not possible to use the existing facility for the Hub.

Our local Hub will offer an alternative way of socializing to the traditional Irish local pub. It will create a new space in the community for people to meet with each other, to interact with their neighbours, to have a friendly chat, to hear some news while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee (instead of a pint of Guinness or beer etc). The Hub will also offer large number of additional ancillary services aimed at promoting positive mental health and well being.

• "Grub at the Hub" - Cafe serving tea, coffee, scones, soup, sandwiches and toasted sandwiches during the day and evenings
• Shop - A small numbers of essential items will be stocked i.e. bread, butter, milk and sugar.
• Men's Shed - A Men’s Shed is a dedicated, friendly and welcoming meeting place where men come together and undertake a variety of mutually agreed activities
• Public Mindfulness and Meditation Garden
• Meeting Room - Meeting room for local groups and the Community Association
• Computer Room - A small number of computers connected to the internet will be available for use, this room will also be use to provide computer classes.
• Games Room - A games room with a Pool Table, darts board etc
• Citizens Information Stand - The hub will have a stand with information on rights and entitlements.
• Tourist Information Stand providing information on things to do and see in Glenbrohane.
• Tourist hostel / accommodation overhead the Men's Shed
• Office Space (for one to two persons) to rent
• A canteen for CE Scheme Participants
• One bed apartment for rent over head the Hub

The Hub Premises Location

Selecting and purchasing the premises

The premises we hope to turn into our local hub is located next to the community Hall in Glenbrohane, it was previously a public house called "Tobin's" or "The Sliabh Riadh". Tobin's Pub like many other rural pubs closed down in the last few years; the licence has been sold and the premises is currently vacant. Tobin's is an ideal premise for our local hub for a number of reasons

• Its close proximity to the Community Hall.
• This pub was in the past a place that many locals would have frequented and socialised in, so it is a familiar place for many people locally.

We hope to provide a service similar to that of a pub in the Hub and so the area of the premises that was previously the pub is ideal. We plan to provide a comfortable space for people to meet for an non alcoholic beverage, tea, coffee or a bite to eat. We also plan to have live traditional Irish music at the weekends, darts, cards, a pool table etc. All the things a local pub would have but without alcohol being sold.

We need your help to purchase this premise below so please donate!