Community Needs Survey

The report on the result of the Community Needs Survey is now available to read here.

Summary:
The main areas of community concern were immediately evident with the highest percentage of ‘most important’ areas for improvement within the first section of the questionnaire:

Q.1: Improvement of roads/speed limit signs – 64%
Q.17: Neighbourhood watch - 63%

Q.10: Provide Facilities for the Elderly - 60%

Q.3: Improve and extend footpaths - 32%

Q 2: Improve Street Lighting – 31%

Q15: Public transport to Gorey - 31%

Combining ‘most’ and ‘very important’ options, the top areas were:

Q17:Neighbourhood watch and local safety measures -  89%

Q 1: Improve Roads/ Speed Limit Signs -   85%

Q8: Develop Community Park -  70%

Q 2: Improve Street Lighting – 68%

Q3: Extend Footpaths  - 62%
Q9: Develop Local Walks  61%

Q13:Care for elderly, visitation, meals etc - 60%

Many of these areas have been tackled already while the other areas will be tackled during 2015.

Uplights on Hollyfort Church

What a difference the uplights make to the church on the Monaseed/Hollyfort road.
The lights are on a timer and it is
well worth a trip just for the experience.

Christmas Concert in Hollyfort Church

Hollyfort Village will be alive with Christmas music on Saturday 13 December 2014. Join us in Hollyfort Church at 6.30 to hear local Ballythomas School Choir and Spraoi Music Group and award winning bagpiper, Michael Roache.

After the concert, walk down to the village green by candlelight where the Xmas Tree will be lit and Santa Clause has promised to make an appearance. Sweets for the young people and mulled wine for everyone else!

Donation bucket on the night to be split between Ballythomas School, Hollyfort parish and Hollyfort Village.(HDG).

Christmas Draw will be also be held later that evening.

Hollyfort Christmas Draw - Buy a Line

2015 Committee elected

Following our AGM on 12 November, the following officers were elected
Chairperson: Carol Boland
Vice chair   : Grainne Whelehan
Treasurer: Janet Noblett
Secretary: Deborah Darcy
PRO: Susan Madden

We welcome Roy Dowley to the committee.
We thank John Noblett for all this support and hard work on the 2014 committee.
John will continue as a volunteer in the village.

Mick Flynn and Brian Dubar take 3rd place in the Honey International Show.

Update:
Congrats to Mick and Brian for taking 3rd place in the Honey International Show in London.

Mick Flynn, Hollyfort, was joint supreme champion at the recent Sth Tipperary Beekeepers Show. Michael and Brian Dunbar are off to the London Honey International Show at the end of October 2014.

Name Stones for Hollyfort

Hollyfort Bann River and Grove Bridge named in granite

Hollyfort Village set in stone

Unity Gospel Choir Rocks Hollyfort

The Unity Gospel Choir rocked Hollyfort Village Church on 3 October '14 and, despite the torrential rain, supporters came out in force. The church, which holds about 130 people, was packed with everyone enjoying the lively music and clapping along. After the concert, refreshments were served in the old school. 

A big thank you to Nevil Cox and his Unity Gospel choir for a brilliant and entertaining performance. Hope they will come back again next year.

Read All About It!

Finding Mt Nebo Famine Graveyard

Local Hollyfort man, Mick Flynn, holds up old 60s sign put to show diggers site of the mass famine graveyard . Unfortunately, sign was ignored.
Plans are afoot to clear the area and erect a monument.

Success! Public Environment Grant

Wexford Co. Co. have awarded Hollyfort Village a grant of €2,000 towards cost of cleaning up the two derelict buildings in the village. Wonderful news!

St. John's Church

Check out our new link to National Inventory of Architectural Heritage with full details of St. John's Church.

The church will be 200 years old in 2016 and celebrations are planned.

Hollyfort Village poem on Dublin South fm

The first poem read by Carol Boland in her interivew with Dublin South fm Rhyme and Reason, was on Hollyfort Village.
Check the site out here.
Click R&R 280214 Carol Boland.mp3 
to start the interview.

Hopefully this poem will be out of date very soon!

A Winter Village

They drive

through unmarked

crossroads

blind to our ancient church

and tombstones

shivering below the road

deaf to metal on metal

in the heat of the old forge

roofless and silent now.

Where is our village pump

the mill in the grove

the standing stones at Ballintlea.

Where are our paths by river

through woodland

that keep the soul

from wandering

off the beaten track.

I have heard the heron’s call

fly across the Moor

and in the waters of the Bann

I have seen the salmon leap.

Carol Boland

Hollyfort Spring Clean Saturdays

Come and help us Spring Clean Hollyfort and its environs
each Saturday morning in April 2014

Saturday 12th April
Saturday 19th April
Saturday 26th April

Meet at Cooneys at 11 am

Stay as long or as short as you like.

Hollyfort Village Public Meeting - 9 April 2014

The Hollyfort Development Group held a public meeting for all those interested in the clean up and development of Hollyfort Village for the benefit of their community.

Thanks to all those who attended and for their contribution to the discussion.

The progress so far was outlined and the plans for future development of the village and surrounding areas discussed.

Hollyfort Community Needs Surveys Distributed.

Over 300 survey forms have been distributed in Hollyfort Village and environs.

The completed forms should be returned by 9th April 2014 to Cooney's in Hollyfort or
 brought to the Hollyfort Public Meeting on 9th April at 7pm in the Community Hall.

Plant flowers for Hollyfort

As part of the on-going developments in Hollyfort, flower seeds and seed trays can be collected Sunday 16 March in the village - after Mount Nebo walk.

Sow and grow them to be planted out in various parts of the village, as soon as last frost has passed. Be part of the colour of Hollyfort

Seed trays sponsored by Kilmurry Nursry and seeds by Dermot Behan

Mount Nebo Walk

Click Image

Mount Nebo Trail Walk - Sun 16th March 2014

Check out our Facebook Page for more information

After the Storm

Regular committee meetings in Hollyfort's Community Hall have resulted in a number of initiatives for Hollyfort Village.
Currently, we are:
Tackling the recycling bin area,
Replacing the village water pump on its original site
Trimming trees and hedges where necessary
Replanting various areas around the village.
In constant discussions with Wexford County Council re drainage and road maintenance
Tidying up/painting various buildings around the village.
Establishing Hollyfort walking trails in assoc with Trails Ireland
Running social events such as Fancy Dress Competition, Sunday Walks, Xmas Tree Light-up and Easter Egg Hunt.
Organising a survey of people in the Hollyfort area to find out what they want in their village

Guinness "Call Out" TV advert Cooney's Hollyfort

Check out the TV advert made in Cooney's Pub, Hollyfort Village

Welcome

Welcome to Hollyfort Village.

Hollyfort's First Xmas Tree Lightup ~ 2014