Dunboyne - Dunboyne Community Centre

Dunboyne Community Centre

In 1985 the people of Dunboyne came together at a public meeting and agreed that a social and recreational Centre was badly needed and set out to provide it for themselves. Four years of fund-raising followed, during which 80–90% of households contributed on a weekly, monthly or annual basis. Local businesses participated with sponsorships, and the local clubs ran fund-raising events. These efforts raised over £400,000, the Government contributed grants totalling £35,000, and a fully equipped Community Centre was opened by then President of Ireland, Dr Patrick Hillery, in 1989.

With the establishment of St Peter's College on the adjoining site in 1994, the opportunity arose to embark on an innovative venture which has since become a model for school/community ventures elsewhere in Ireland. The money that would have been spent on putting sports facilities into the College, £280,000, was instead invested in the Centre. Through further fund-raising, the Committee added another £150,000 to this and the result was a major extension of the building in 1997. This arrangement provided the College with a much bigger and better sports hall than it could have had on its own while, outside of school hours, the extension enabled the Centre to cater better for the growing community.

The Centre added a Health and Fitness Club in January 2000 and a floodlit all-weather pitch (another joint venture with St Peter's College) in 2004.

The Centre is a non-profit making body, owned by the community, funded by the community, and operated for the benefit of the community. It has a charitable exemption from income tax. All the income that is generated goes towards covering its running costs and funding further development.