20.02.2004 -- Congratulations Reenascreena

The following e-mail was originally sent to Reenascreena Community Action Group committee secretary Ted Coakley by Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, it was subsequently forwarded for inclusion on the site:

Ted,

Congratulations to you and all the troops at Reenacscreena. I've always said that you can't beat people power.

I think it's great that applicants realised now rather than later that pushing this project wasn't worth falling out with neighbours.

You probably don't think so, but I think he should be praised for his decision last night. I'm sure it wasn't easy to be seen to back down.

The luck you had here is that he is a local.

I think if this land was owned by an outsider, or a company whose only interest would be money, then I'd hazard a guess they would have pushed the matter all the way, even appealing to the highest court in the land if the Council rejected the initial planning application.

From my observations at the first meeting last Monday week, it's evident that you have a great and united community in Reenascreena where the locals and "blow-ins" seem to get on well. It was a joy to see.

I would encourage you not to let the momentum and energy of the last 2 weeks drain away. Ironically this episode has gelled the community into a very strong force, and it would be great to see this harnessed to work for the benefit of the area into the future.

I have no intention of telling the people of Reenacreena what to do, but I would encourage ye to keep your newly-established Community Association together and come up with ideas that everyone in the area could participate in.

I know down in Ring, they've been involved in the Tidy Towns for the last 2- 3 years. Before that, everyone there did their own thing and no one really cared about the overall area. Now they are working away to make the place nicer to live in and visit. As usual there are the few stalwarts who keep the thing going, but you do need leaders in every community.

Maybe Reenascreena could think about that?

Or how about an ambitious project of a life size statue to O' Donovan Rossa who has connections with the village. After all, most other famous West Corkmen - Tadhg an Astna, Michael Collins and Sam Maguire all have statues erected to them in their native places?

You probably think I'm off the wall, but something like this would be great for the place.

Anyway, as usual I'm beginning to ramble off. If you think I can be of any assistance to you in the future, either personally, politically or community wise, please feel free to lift the phone and give me a shout.

Slán go fóill,

Cllr. Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin