“World class” Bocan Community Creche opened

The community of Bocan turned out in delight yesterday to see the long awaited official opening of their “world class” community creche. Local TDs, councillors and dignitaries joined children and their parents to watch the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Barry Andrews ceremoniously cut the ribbon to declare the facility open. The event was a culmination of seven years hard work from the committee, who had a vision of providing an affordable and quality not for profit childcare facility for the local community. With the help of a 565,000 euro funding from the Department, almost 50,000 euro raised in the local community and much dedication, this vision was achieved and celebrated yesterday. The crèche is currently attended by 81 children from 73 different families in Bocan, Gleneely, Culdaff and the surrounding areas. Speaking to the “Inish Times,“ delighted committee chairperson Michael Doherty said it was a “positive, good news story’ for the community. “We wanted to bring something positive to the area and we’re absolutely delighted with the way it has all turned out. Seven years ago, we sat in the old school and it was damp and run down and we outlined what we needed and we have achieved this. “We want to educate the children and address developmental needs and integrate different services. We have a Breakfast Club and After School Club, we cater from children from six months to twelve years old. A lot of hard work went into this from many different people.” Minister Barry Andrews said he was ‘really pleased” to be at the “world class” facility. He said: “I know my names on the plaque but I’m easily the person has had the least to do in developing this fabulous facility. It really is ironic my name should be on it and it my first time here. It should be Micheal, one of the staff or the people that built it and put energy in it. This facility is obviously world class.’ Local Councillor Bernard McGuinness explained how the building was on the site of “one of the most famous houses in the parish.” ‘The Comiskey family known as the Bocans lived here. It was a great ceili house and many people have very happy memories. They looked after the Church across the way so this is a very fitting place as all the children who went to Bocan school were always in the Bocans and looked after. So it was always a famous house and this is now a continuation of that, this great facility here. Local councillor and Donegal Deputy Mayor Charlie McConalogue spoke of the hard work of the community. He said: “I think this really is a testament to the power of community and the power of activism within the community. It’s been put together with local fundraising and in a large part with Government financing but that wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the efforts and productivity of the local community.” Senator Cecilia Keaveney said: ‘This was a home and a house and now it’s a community home and house for the many different generations and groups of people who are going to be here for the foreseeable future. There’s probably not a nicer site in the country. There’s manys a day I came up on the Bocan bus up past this site. Never did we think we’d be at the opening of a lovely premises worth well over half a million euro and located here.” All of the Councillors also paid tribute to the committee and staff and a presentation of flowers was made to long term staff member Vera Deeney. A bogwood sculpture, sculpted by local woman Mary Doherty of Inishowen Bogwood Sculptures was made to Minister Andrews.