Athenry’s only public amenity is falling apart, and the community has been left footing the bill according to a local group set up to oversee it.
Opened in 2004, the Athenry Community Playground faces an uncertain future due to its age and condition.
“At this point, we are barely keeping the playground open,” said Shauna Coll, secretary for the newly re-established Athenry Community Playground Group. “We are spending our money repairing rotting equipment and throwing good money after bad.”
Since October, the group raised €8,500 through community fundraisers, established an online donation site, marched in the St Patrick’s Day parade, and hosted a community playdate at the playground after the event. For Easter, the group hosted a 'Hop & Hunt' fundraiser and is planning a creative play day fundraiser for summer.
The group recently received €2,400 in funding from Galway County Council’s Community Development Scheme that will be used toward new sensory play panels.
“What the playground needs is an intervention,” said Dr Michelle McMahon, who works as a child psychologist and volunteers as treasurer with the playground group. “The equipment at the playground is not up to standard. There is an opportunity here to create an inclusive, safe place to play for children of differing abilities and needs. This kind of remodel would require major community participation and financial investment."
Athenry Community Playground is the oldest community-owned playground in the county and the only public play space in Athenry.
The group hopes to raise €75,000 to replace the missing senior play equipment. If they want to replace all the other ageing and rotting equipment, they say they would need to raise €200,000 or more.
“This is simply untenable,” said Caroline Needham, ACPG volunteer and teacher at Athenry Primary School. “Asking the community to give such a large sum of money for something that should be a free, public amenity is offensive.”
The group reformed in October 2024 after a major piece of equipment, the senior play structure, was removed for safety reasons. Since October, the group has been working to raise funds to replace it and tackle a long list of necessary repairs on existing equipment. The group is collaborating with local TDs and county councillors in the hopes of finding a way to invest in the only public amenity the town has.
To get involved or donate, visit athenryplayground.ie
