Kilcormac, Co. Offaly: A much-loved Kilcormac landmark is beginning a new chapter, as Offaly Local Development Company (OLDC) brings Fiesta Hall back into community use, creating a new hub for community development, enterprise, learning, creativity and sustainability.

The significance of the project was highlighted on Thursday, 3rd September, when OLDC welcomed members of the local community and surrounding parish to Fiesta Hall for a special Community Open Evening. The event provided an opportunity for local people to view the newly refurbished building, reconnect with its rich history and see how an important local asset is being given a renewed purpose for future generations.

The evening also provided a strong example of the role played by Local Development Companies in rural communities – working with local people, organisations and partners to protect and revitalise community assets, create opportunities and support the long-term sustainability of rural towns and villages.

The event was not the official opening of the refurbished building, but rather a focused celebration for the community, giving local people an opportunity to come together, view the work that has been carried out, explore the refurbished spaces and, most importantly, reconnect with a building that holds a very special place in the history of Kilcormac.

The evening was a tremendous success, with members of the community, local organisations, businesses, families and former users of the Fiesta coming through the doors to see the transformation and share their memories of days gone by.

For many visitors, stepping inside the building brought back a wealth of memories. Memorabilia from the original Fiesta was on display, including the old bingo ball machine and the original signage, while the old cinema projectors and reels, now situated in the main hall and theatre, offered a tangible connection to the building’s history as a cinema and entertainment venue.

There was great excitement as people explored the refurbished building, with many visitors taking the opportunity to reminisce about their own experiences of Fiesta Hall.

Stories were shared of dances, nights out, friendships and romances – including love stories that began on the Fiesta dance floor and ultimately ended in marriage. Local people who had worked on the original construction of the building also shared their memories, while others recalled seeing Fiesta being built as they walked to school as youngsters.

The evening was a wonderful reminder that Fiesta Hall is much more than a building. For generations of people in Kilcormac and the surrounding area, it has been a place where memories were made, friendships formed and important moments in people’s lives took place.

A particularly special feature of the evening was a specially designed and printed display based on the diary entries of a local man who attended dances at the Fiesta Ballroom and recorded his experiences. The display provided a fascinating insight into the social life of the Fiesta in years gone by and prompted plenty of further memories and conversations among those who attended.

Fiesta Hall was built in 1961 by local businessman Paddy McCormack and has been part of the fabric of Kilcormac for more than 60 years. Over the decades, it has served the community as a cinema, dance hall, theatre, courthouse, bingo hall and community venue.

The refurbishment has sought to respect this rich history while giving the building a new purpose and a sustainable future. Important heritage features have been retained, including elements of the original façade, cinema seating and dance floor materials, while modern facilities have been introduced to support community development, learning, enterprise, creativity and sustainability.

For OLDC, the project reflects the wider purpose of Local Development Companies and the contribution they make to rural communities. By working with local people and partners, and by investing in the potential of rural towns and villages, Local Development Companies can help transform existing community assets into spaces that create new opportunities and support the long-term sustainability of rural areas.

OLDC was also delighted to welcome Matt Worgan, Caitriona Lawlor and the team from Tullamore/Kilcormac Credit Union, one of the local sponsors, who joined the community in celebrating this important milestone in the building’s journey.

OLDC was delighted to meet with the builders, Patrick McIntyre, his son Padraig and family, and to recognise the care, craftsmanship and commitment they have shown in lovingly and respectfully restoring the building and bringing it to where it is today.

Speaking following the Community Open Evening, Roisin Lennon, CEO of Offaly Local Development Company, said:

“This was a very special evening for OLDC because it was really about giving the community the opportunity to come into Fiesta, see the work that has been carried out and, perhaps most importantly, reconnect with a building that has played such an important role in the lives of so many people.

“The response from the community was fantastic. The stories, memories and conversations throughout the evening demonstrated just how significant Fiesta Hall has been to Kilcormac over the decades. We heard stories of dances, friendships, romances, marriages, childhood memories and even from people who had a hand in building the original Fiesta.

“It was wonderful to see people recognising familiar features and memorabilia, while also being excited about what Fiesta can offer the community now and into the future.

“We want to sincerely thank everyone who came along and shared their memories with us, as well as our sponsors, supporters and, particularly, Patrick McIntyre and Padraig’s family for the enormous amount of work involved in restoring this much-loved building.

“The evening reinforced something very important for us at OLDC – Fiesta has always been an important building for Kilcormac, and our ambition is to ensure that it can once again become an important building for the town and the surrounding communities.

“This is not the end of the story for Fiesta; it is the beginning of a new chapter. We are really looking forward to seeing the building filled with new activity, new ideas and, most importantly, new memories for the generations to come.”

Today, Fiesta is being developed by OLDC as a hub for creativity, sustainability and community development, with facilities including office, training, conference, exhibition and enterprise space.

The development demonstrates how investment in rural community infrastructure can provide much more than a physical space. It can create opportunities for local people, support enterprise and learning, encourage collaboration and provide a base from which new community initiatives can grow.

The Community Open Evening provided a valuable opportunity for the community to see and experience the refurbished building for themselves and to reflect on the role Fiesta has played in Kilcormac’s story.

The overwhelming message from the evening was clear: Fiesta matters to Kilcormac.

After more than 60 years of serving as a place for entertainment, socialising, celebration and community life, Fiesta Hall now has an opportunity to play that role once again – while providing new opportunities for learning, enterprise, creativity and community development.

For OLDC, Fiesta represents what rural development is about: working with communities, recognising the value of local assets and creating opportunities that can contribute to the future sustainability and vibrancy of rural towns and villages.

OLDC looks forward to working alongside the people, organisations, businesses and communities of Offaly as Fiesta begins this exciting new chapter.

Photographer: Kieran McEvoy