Introduction

Drumkeeran is an area of unsurpassed natural beauty. However, while it attracts quite a number of passing tourists and day-trippers, very few stay in the area for any length of time. The remoteness of its location also creates problems of accessibility for many essential services that less remote areas take for granted. The lack of an adequate public transport system together with the absence of amenities, facilities and resources in the area has confounded efforts to revitalize the community. The impact has been particularly damaging amongst the very young and the very old. Young people tend to look beyond Drumkeeran to the more populated towns and cities where their economic, and recreational needs can be more immediately met. Older people become increasingly more isolated as the social fabric of the community slips away. The area has been experiencing a downward spiral for many years despite the efforts of the community to sustain its rural traditions. It remains vitally important that people have the choice to continue living in rural areas. Such choice should not mean that people experience an inadequate standard of living or poorer quality of life. The reality in Drumkeeran however, is that many local people of all ages and social background experience the effects of social exclusion and marginalisation and feel compelled to move to urban areas.

The community has long recognized the need to regain its self-confidence and to begin to address these challenges but has lacked the financial and human resources to fully achieve its goals.

Since its formation in January 2003 Lough Allen Community Development Programme Ltd. (L.A.C.D.P. Ltd) has begun the process of community regeneration and restoring the individual, social and community life of the area. The development priorities for the future are set out in the two Year Plan, which identifies the main aims and objectives to be undertaken to meet the needs of the most disadvantaged and marginalized and advance the future development of the area. The Plan sets out what will be done and how it will be done and identifies the key roles of sub groups within the overall organisional structure.

The two Year Plan will focus resources on the provision of programme’s and services addressing the needs of the most disadvantaged and marginalized groups in the area. The key target groups have been identified and the project will ensure their participation and involvement in the delivery of the Programme.

Lough Allen Community Development Project Ltd is committed to working for social change by harnessing the knowledge, skills and abilities of local people and finding innovative ways of involving them as active participants in a process of social and community regeneration, that will enhance the quality of life for the entire community.