by admin | Oct 8, 2021 | News
UPDATE: WE THANK EVERYONE WHO DONATED TO THIS FUNDRAISER WHICH ENABLED US TO COMPLETE THE NEW PATH IN 2022. THIS GO FUND ME PAGE IS NOW CLOSED.
Monageer Parish Grotto are working on yet another project to improve the amenity. A new path is being developed which will join the picnic area, the butterfly border and the pump house to the car park. When complete we will have a fully accessible looped walk down the sensory path and back around by the butterfly border.
The pumphouse itself has had a new plinth added and will be fully accessible to volunteers who might have mobility issues. A fence will be built in front of the compost storage area which will brighten up that corner. And of course the area around the path will be landscaped to complete the project. As always, most of the work will be done by our volunteers, local contractors and tradesmen who so willingly give of their time. But we do have to cover the cost of materials used in the project.
Since the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, like many charities and voluntary groups, we have been unable to have any of our regular fundraisers. With this in mind we have set up a ‘GO FUND ME’ page in order to raise funds to do this project. People can donate as much or as little as they like (anything from €5) and every donation will make a difference.
The ongoing support of the community and visitors is always much appreciated. Please click on the link and give what you can today. New Path – Go Fund Me page
by admin | Mar 29, 2021 | News
After a year of lockdowns and restrictions, masks and social distancing, Monageer Parish Grotto is still providing a peaceful and safe retreat for its visitors.
Volunteers have been unable to meet in groups for much of the past 12 months, but we have managed to keep the place ticking over at all times. Even during lockdowns, volunteers have maintained the area on an individual basis when possible.
When restrictions were eased some bigger jobs were tackled:
- A new fence was erected from old pallets at the main picnic area to provide shelter and make the area safer for children.
- The pump house was finished and electricity installed to run the pump.
- A new 4 bay turning compost system was made from old pallets to replace the old one.
- Additional woodland bulbs were planted and a new grass path through these bulbs was created.
Also, when restrictions were eased in the summer, we had a visit from Alan Maguire who conducted an interview with volunteers Liam and Mary Nolan. The interview was aired on South East Radio’s Alan Maguire Show on a Saturday in July. It was Alan’s first visit to Monageer Grotto and he was very impressed with it.
Our local Knitwits group continued to surprise us with colourful yarnbombing displays at various times throughout the year. Their creations were greatly appreciated and they had installations for Easter, Halloween and Christmas as well as their main display during the Summer. Despite not being able to meet for the whole year, the Knitwits volunteers have been beavering away at home and are planning some show-stopping displays to add to the Grotto this coming Summer!
On a sad note, we lost one of our longest serving volunteers during the year. Jim Donohoe went to his final rest on 30th October 2020. He is fondly remembered and missed by us all especially each time we enter the car park where he worked tirelessly each week. R.I.P. Jim.
Monageer Parish Grotto was a haven for local families and was much used in line with whatever level of restrictions was in place at any particular time. When getting out of the house and getting some much needed fresh air and exercise was important, this amenity provided a safe place to go. And when restrictions were eased last Summer it was a place where people could safely meet up in an outdoor setting.
Because of Covid 19 Restrictions, we were unable to have our regular annual events such as the Easter Day, Halloween Story Time and outdoor Mass. This included all fund-raising events which our work usually depends on. Fund-raising has been a big issue for all charities and voluntary groups and Monageer Parish Grotto is just one of the casualties on this front. For the past year we have had to depend on private donations to keep the work going and now it looks like we could have another year without fund-raising. We really appreciate the donations and support we get from visitors and the local community.
Going forward, we hope the local people will continue to enjoy Monageer Parish Grotto and all it has to offer, and we look forward to welcoming more people once the 5 km travel restrictions are eased.
by admin | Mar 5, 2021 | News
Water is essential to any garden. After two and a half years of planning and work we now have water available in the Grotto. Up to now all water had to be drawn in by tank. Not an easy job!
A well was successfully drilled in October 2018 and work began on the pump house shortly after that. The blockwork and roofing was done in 2019, and it was plastered, finished and made secure in 2020.
In February 2021 the electricity was connected and it was all systems go! We will now have water readily available for the plants and maintenance of the site.
In the interest of safety, the water will only be operational when the volunteers are working on site.
by admin | Jan 9, 2021 | News
These annual awards are usually a big celebration with members of all the various voluntary groups from around the county in attendance. 2020 as everyone knows was a year with a difference! Due to Covid 19 restrictions the event was hosted by Wexford County Council online to a virtual audience. Monageer Parish Grotto were the proud recipients of 3 placings in the 2020 awards.
1st Prize – Best Community Environment Initiative
This section covers a lot at Monageer Grotto. It includes maintaining the 3.5 acre site, upkeep of beds, borders, pathways and wheelchair accessible picnic areas, and generally making it a place for visitors to enjoy regardless of their ability.
Included in the judging were the addition of the new pump house, a new 4 bay turning compost system, a new fence at the picnic area (for safety and wind protection), and of course our yarnbombing projects.
We have a large group of volunteers who work tirelessly to develop and maintain the amenity on behalf of the whole community. The Knitwits group adds another dimension and allows a different skillset of people to become involved.
2nd Prize Best Community Biodiversity Project
The Knitwits group came up with a biodiversity theme to add to their yarnbombing efforts. They took the 6 large environmental information signs (on butterflies, wildflowers, insects, trees, woodland animals and birds) and focused on one thing from each section. For example, there was a feature on the Peacock butterfly, Bees, and the Long Eared Owl. Creatures and displays were created and snippets of information on the selected flora and fauna were included.
Also the Grotto Group volunteers planted more wildflowers and continued to add naturalising woodland bulbs to the area near the drive between both entrances. A small mown path was added to allow people to get up close with these flowers without damaging the plants.
3rd Prize Best Community Project to Improve Accessibility to Infrastructure
This rewards the group’s foresight and efforts in drilling a well and building a pump house. This will be a great asset to the group in providing a much needed water supply to help with the care of the plants and the upkeep of the area.
by admin | Nov 15, 2020 | News
On 30th October last we bid a fond and final farewell to our friend and fellow Grotto volunteer Jim Donohoe.
Jim had volunteered at Monageer Grotto since the 1960’s, and continued to give his time there right to the last.
He received Wexford County Council’s Keep Wexford Beautiful Volunteer Award in 2018 to acknowledge his dedication.
Jim was a pleasure to know and work with and he will be sadly missed. Saturday morning tea-time at the Grotto will never be the same again! R.I.P.
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