Supporting the Inis Mór Co-Op
Company name
Comharchumann Forbartha Árann Teo
Location
Inis Mór, Árainn, Co. Galway
Grant
Administration grant, training programmes, R&D, lease of building
Dates
Support on-going since 1991
Project
Comharchumann Inis Mór, established in 1991, provides a wide range of services to the islanders, including administration of a home for the elderly, running a re-cycling centre, developing leisure activities, setting up a diesel station, and support for local businesses. It also lobbies government for better infrastructure and other improvements. It is the focal point of the community’s activities.
The co-op employs three full-time staff; a further 50 are involved in running the various activities and centres.
Údarás has been a major partner in the co-operative since its foundation and has assisted with an annual administration grant, with training programmes, and with R&D support.
In 2005 Údarás built an Enterprise Centre which it currently leases to the Co-op. Branches of Galway library and health board, as well as offices for enterprises are run from the centre.
Results
Says Cathy Ní Ghoill, manager of the Co-op: “We’ve just gone from strength to strength. Within a few years of setting up the Co-op, things starting happening. Now we’re running more activities than I can list!”