Tributes to volunteers as funds announced to rebuild Order of Malta HQ in Mayo county town

TRIBUTE has been paid to the volunteers at Castlebar Order of Malta on a day when they have secured funding for a new building.

The Minister for Rural and Community Affairs, Heather Humpreys, has announced over €474,000 under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to rebuild the Castlebar Order of Malta headquarters at Pavilion Road in the town.

Having supported the application along with all members of the Castlebar Municipal District for the funding, Councillor Ger Deere paid tribute to all involved with Castlebar Order of Malta.

He stated: “For over 80 years the Order of Malta have provided vital services to all sections of community life in our area. Their commitment and outstanding volunteerism has to be applauded.

“This last number of years has been very difficult for them as they had no base to operate from, but, despite this, they managed to keep providing great services.

“Thankfully, with this funding, they will finally have a state of the art headquarters going forward.”

Councillor Deere continued: “On a day like today we remember all the wonderful volunteers and members who gave so much to the Order. In particular I think of the late John Cunnighman, Heather Heneghan and Gerry Costello.”

He thanked all involved in securing the funding - David Mellett and his team in Castlebar MD, Liam McHugh and all members of Castlebar Order of Malta, Minister Alan Dillon, and a key driver behind the initiative, Tom Jennings, who has given over 40 years of dedicated services to the unit.