New Tourism & Community Facility Opened at Tully, Florencecourt

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A new tourism complex and community facility was officially opened today in Florencecourt by Mr Pat Toal, Deputy Secretary with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Lyla Steele, Director of the International Fund for Ireland.

he project is being promoted by Killesher Community Development Association at a cost of £555,000. Funding was provided by the European Union’s INTERREG II Programme, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the International Fund for Ireland, the Rural Community Network, Fermanagh District Council and various Trusts. The local community provided financial and voluntary support to the project. Forest Service who own the land and property on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development provided invaluable support to the Group by assisting them to obtain a long-term lease to enable the project to proceed.

The project consists of the restoration of a derelict water-power cornmill (Tully Mill) into a licenced restaurant with self-catering tourist accommodation facilities named the Tully Mill Complex and the Larganess Centre, a neutral community venue on the site.

Speaking at the event, Mr Toal paid tribute to the group for their dedication and said:

"The project being opened here today represents a major step forward for this cross-community partnership in developing the economic, environmental, social and cultural regeneration of the Killesher area and the rural border region. Killesher Community Development Association is to be commended for their proactive approach in all their activities and in particular their commitment and determination in the development of this major project we are opening here today.”

Speaking at the opening Jack O'Connor, Director of INTERREG, Special EU Programmes Body said:

"The renovation of the old mill has seen its transformation into a new tourist facility that will attract many to the area. Due to your proximity to the border, it will also attract many visitors from across the border. This is a great example of rural development in action. Renovations of such buildings enhance the general image of the area thus creating a pride therein by the local residents and visitors to the area. Such schemes address the economic, social and tourist needs of the area. This will act as a springboard towards the upgrading of further properties in this most scenic part of County Fermanagh.”

The project also attracted funding from the International Fund for Ireland and IFI Director Lyla Steele said:

“We are very pleased with the outcome of the Tully Mill project. The local community group has grasped the opportunities on offer to stimulate economic activity by capitalising on the area’s visitor potential while at the same time addressing the need for cross-community contact and reconciliation. The facilities at Tully Mill are excellent for those who only want a meal or for those who wish to stay and spend time in the area and sample the many tourist attractions unique to the area.”

Des Reid, Secretary of the Killesher Community Development Association said:

“The Killesher Community are very appreciative of the financial support from all our funders towards the regeneration of our area. It is fantastic to see all sections of our community, from the children in the Jolly Miller Club to the more mature in the Old Mill Club, coming together on a cross community basis, through the provision of the Larganess Centre.”

Niall Fitzduff, Director of Rural Community Network congratulated the Killesher Community Development Association and said:

“The Millennium Halls Programme was about much more than bricks and mortar – it is about valuing people living in rural areas and recognising the importance of a sense of place. We hope that the opening of this project symbolises a more open and inclusive future challenging all of us in Northern Ireland. I am sure that those involved with this centre will play their part in building the new future.”

Notes to Editors

1. Killesher Community Development Association, was established in 1994 as a cross community group with a management committee made up of 20 members drawn equally from both communities. The Association’s goal is to improve the quality of life of the local population by regenerating the area through the provision of social and physical services, infrastructural improvements and opportunities for economic development.

2. KCDA is a very active group, and has already been involved in a number of smaller projects and is represented on several community partnerships. In 1995 KCDA carried out an economic and social audit of the area to define the objectives which underpin their development strategy, and from which the project being opened has come.

3. The project comprises the restoration and development of the disused Tully Mill site with the development of self-catering accommodation along with a restaurant and a neutral community venue for various organisations in the area to use. The community facility element of the project received funding from the Millennium Halls Programme, which is administered by the Rural Community Network (RCN). The land on which Tully Mill sits is owned by Forest Service, on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Forest Service has supported the Group in their project by providing them with a long-term lease agreement to develop the site.

4. The self-catering accommodation consists of 5 self-catering units, which can accommodate up to 22 people, at NITB 3 star standard. The restaurant has been developed on the site of the old mill.

5. The Tully Mill site was once part of the Florencecourt Estate and lies adjacent to the Florencecourt House and grounds, one of the top tourist attractions in Fermanagh, managed by the National Trust. Restoration of the redundant mill-race originally used to provide water to power the mill’s wheel forms a scenic backdrop to the new development.

6. The community venue contains a small hall, meeting room along with offices and associated facilities, and is managed by the Group.

7. Killesher Community Development Association can be contacted as follows:

Killesher Community Development Association
Larganess Centre
Tully
Florencecourt
Co Fermanagh
BT92 1FN
Tel: 028 6634 9879
Fax: 028 6634 8446
E-MAIL: kcda@larganesscentre.fsnet.co.uk