In Pictures: Bruckless park a wonderful place for people of all ages to gather - Minister

The vision and commitment of the community of Bruckless came in for much praise as Minister Heather Humphreys opened its new community park.

The park is adjacent to Bruckless Community and Sports Centre and features seating and planters centred around a beautiful water feature. It sits alongside a playground which was also developed in recent years. 

Minister Humphreys officially opened the community park on Tuesday as part of a two-day visit to Donegal projects funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

She told those gathered: “Today is all about families living here in Bruckless as we celebrate the opening of this wonderful new community park. It is a fine facility that I do believe will bring the community together. 

“And I think particularly of the young people who are here today. They will come to this park, they will meet up with their friends, play sport or whatever they want to do here, and of course we have the wonderful playground in the background. 

“I think too of the older members of the community who will benefit too in terms of coming here and sitting down and maybe having a chat and having a reminisce. 

“I have to say that the community here in Bruckless and Donegal County Council really do deserve particular credit for what you have delivered here.”

MC for the event was Director of Services of Donegal County Council, Garry Martin.

He said: “It is a fantastic day to acknowledge the great work done here in Bruckless. 

“In the absence of a strong community group, no project can ever take flight. 

“It is testament to what can be done when you have a very strong community group.”

Leas-Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Micheál Naughton also praised the local community, and acknowledged the role of St Columba's Diocesan Trust in leasing the land. 

He added: “I would like to thank Minister Humphreys for her support and help in this.

“She is no stranger to Donegal - and we always like to see her coming when she is coming with funding for us!”

John Boyle, Chairperson of the Bruckless Community Group thanked Michael McGinley and his team for the construction of the park. 

He also paid tribute to those who had gone before him on the committee which was formed in the mid-eighties to build the community centre.

“There was no grants then,” he said. “They built the community centre voluntarily and they ran it for 27 years.”
Mr Boyle took on the role of Chairperson in 2017. He recalled how, while at a meeting, he looked out at the adjoining field and said it would be nice to do something with it. 

This was followed by discussions with the then newly appointed priest Fr Rory Brady, and agreement from the Diocese to lease the land. 

Several years of grant applications, planning and construction followed to achieve the fantastic facilities that are there today. And there are further plans in place for parking, fencing and more. 

My Boyle thanked two local families, one for donating a tree and the other for donating a famine pot.

He reminded those gathered of the crucial role of the famine pot, saying: “The local people would come together at the famine pot and they would get soup to live.”

Mr Boyle thanked the community group committee and everyone who supported the ongoing work in Bruckless.

The project received a total of €150,000 under the Town and Village Renewal and the Clár schemes. The local community and Donegal County Council also contributed to the costs.