Ionad Cois Locha in Dunlewey officially opens its doors

The traditional Irish music of Clannad greets you as you step inside Ionad Cois Locha out of a soft, summer drizzle. The centre officially opened its doors this morning following three years of closure. 

Inside you will first find a craft shop that sells local produce. The shelves are stocked with everything from knitwear, CDs, soaps, jewellery and books which showcase the talent of the surrounding areas.

The centre opened in 1989 and is located near the picturesque Poison Glen, perched on the edge of a lake. The new manager of the premises is Beulah Croker and she is thriving in the busy environment. 

Speaking in Irish, she said that when the place first opened it was much smaller than it is today, consisting of a craft shop and a smaller playground. There was also a boat which was used for boat runs on the lake. This vessel was replaced by the  Gráinne Rose boat which is now sitting alongside the pier. The vessel has been associated with the centre for years.

Beulah points out that Leader funding helped extend the boat to make it larger so it can accommodate more people. The boat was cut and an extra piece was inserted in the middle to make the boat longer and better able to ferry more people around the lake. The lake is the source of much folklore as is the surrounding land in Dunlewey. Some stories affiliated with the region are associated with Balor of the evil eye and others are affiliated with the nearby town of Falcarragh.

Leader also funded a new playground where children and teenagers can enjoy their time. There are also paddle boats and bumping cars which will also prove to be a source of great enjoyment for those who visit the place. 

Ionad Cois Locha is popular with locals and tourists alike. Many people enjoy seeing the old traditions being carried out by local experts, people can see the crafts of carding, weaving and spinning being practiced.

On entering the cottage, the smell of burning turf in an open fire ignites a real sense of times gone by. The table is set like in olden times and the ornate room showcases pieces that were present in homes in the area years ago. 

Ionad Cois Locha opened last week but it was a soft opening to ensure everything would run perfectly from this week onwards. Beulah is content with how things are going and says the place is popular with everyone and attracts bus tours from around the country and further afield. She is delighted to be able to showcase local art and produce. The ethos of the ionad is to support local and generate money into the local area. 

An open fire is central to the cafe. Beulah says the hand roasted coffee which is made in Ireland is popular with guests. Soup and scones are made daily in the kitchen and sandwiches, paninis and chowder are also popular. The walls are adorned with an interesting exhibition of art by Aoife Fia. The paper which she uses for her art is made of celery and bog grass.  

The ionad is also home to a cultúrlann which has hosted Sharon Shannon, Paul Brady, Tommy Tiernan and many more Irish stars. The space can seat around 500 people while sitting and around 800 people standing. It opened in 2008. 

There are animals on the surrounding grounds and stables where horses are kept. There are also peacocks, ducks, chickens and roosters to be seen which is a joy to many families who visit.