This article is from page 37 of the 2007-06-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 37 JPG
SEVERAL years ago Kildysart Cul- tural Festival Committee set about the task of providing a multi-age playground and associated ameni- ties for the children of the parish and surrounding hinterland. The Quay Road field where the playground is situated was entrusted to the people of Kildysart parish by the Killaloe Diocesan Trust for which the com- mittee is eternally grateful. A state of the art playground ideally located in the heart of the village now caters
for 0-6 year olds, 6-12 year olds and 12 years and upwards in a safe envi- ronment.
The project entailed the raising of funds in excess of €100,000 volun- tarily through the running of our an- nual cultural festival. Clare County Council provided a grant of €60,000 towards the cost of some of the equipment. As the project neared fruition the committee realised that further funds were required and thus a novel method of raising the neces- sary monies was instigated.
This is the “Buy a Brick’ campaign.
It entails the purchase of a brick at a cost of €50 inscribed with a fam- ily name and town-land or in com- memoration of a deceased family member. The bricks are then used to pave the walkways throughout the playground. It has proved a tremen- dous success to-date and has enabled the participation of many, including those living abroad, to make a tan- gible contribution to their own local- ity.
The installation of the equipment, the laying of the safety matting and the landscaping has only been pos-
sible due to the generous voluntary labour provided by many in the lo- cal community. The pathways and shrubberies enhance the _ overall appeal of this picturesque village amenity.
The festival committee, under the chairmanship of Fintan Ginnane, would like to acknowledge with ap- preciation our sponsors and the tire- less volunteers without whom the dream would never have been real- ised and we look forward to provid- ing many hours of fun for the chil- dren of the area and for posterity.