Since the start of this year, Ballyhoura Development have been in consultation with communities and groups to see what could be developed to benefit communities in the Ballyhoura Region. To compliment these consultations, a networking and information event called Ballyhoura 2020 was held in Knocklong at the start on November.

The event, which took place in Knocklong Community Centre, was aimed at inspiring communities, so that they might look at new and innovative ways of addressing community challenges.

Speakers on the day included Dr Mary O’Shaughnessy, UCC; Amanda Slattery of Ballyhoura Development, Dermot Carroll, Knocklong Development Association, Devyn Olson-Sawyer from Cultivate, and Rob O’Halloran, Common Purpose.

The idea behind the consultations was that they would enable Ballyhoura Development to compile a relevant and strategic funding submission for the next Rural Development Programme (LEADER) and Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) for the period from 2014 to 2020.
 
"Feedback common to all of the consultation events held, was that community groups and organisations value opportunities to network locally, not only with their peers, but also with the various agencies that have the potential to support a range of developments in their communities," David O'Grady of Ballyhoura explained.

On the day, groups and people from different communities had the opportunity to network with people from various areas and see what kind of projects and initiatives they have in place. 

There were also a number of stands and exhibitions from Mobile IT, Cork and Limerick Volunteer Centres, An Garda Síochána, Ballyhoura Rural Services, Foróige, Tipperary Regional Youth Service, Muintir na Tíre, Limerick Youth Services, CareBright, Rural Bus, Limerick Macra na Feirme and Ballyhoura TUS and RSS schemes.

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