Client Stories
An Mheitheal Rothar
Cycling Made Easier in Galway
Founded in 2012, An Mheitheal Rothar (AMR) provides access to cycling and cycling mechanic skills training to people in Galway, regardless of their ability to pay. In 2018, the social enterprise introduced their award winning ‘Recycle Your Cycle’ initiative, which repairs and upcycles second-hand bikes.
AMR is rolling out an expanded service at their community workshop at NUI Galway and at their retail outlet in Galway Shopping Centre, thanks to funding from Community Finance Ireland.
“Our loan from Community Finance Ireland is enabling us to invest in new bike stock for our bike shop. customers can avail of the Bike to Work scheme for these new bikes. The funds we generate support our work, such as providing free second-hand bikes for students studying under the University of Sanctuary programme as well as repairs, training and upcycled bikes for sale. All this helps to grow the numbers of people cycling for health, transport and sustainability.”
Cathy Coote, Fundraising and Communications Officer
An Mheitheal Rothar
Turloughmore Hurling Club
A Hurling Club with Successes Both On and Off the Pitch
The parish of Lackagh has a rich history of Gaelic Games, boasting that the sport of hurling was played in the community even before the official establishment of the GAA in 1884. Formally founded in 1886, the Turloughmore Hurling Club has won the Galway Hurling County Championship eight times and even won the Provincial Connacht title in 1985.
In order to achieve success on the field, a group of community volunteers
have tirelessly worked together to ensure that the facilities available to the players are of the highest quality. With that in mind the club worked with Community Finance Ireland in 2022 to purchase an additional 11.5 acres of adjoining land to ensure continued development of their facilities and to guarantee future accomplishments.
“We were thrilled with the experience we had with Community Finance Ireland. The team were always on hand to answer any of our questions all through the application process. Without the dedication of the Community Finance Ireland, we would not have been able to see our project come to fruition. This has cemented the facilities to train our current teams, but also for players for generations to come.”
Paul Dullaghan, Public Relations Officer Turloughmore Hurling Club