IN PLANNING - OOLA COMMUNITY FIELD

Oola Community Council aspires to provide an inclusive and safe environment for the people of Oola and surrounding areas. The Community Field will provide facilities to foster greater local community activity and to improve the quality of life in Oola

The Oola community has been well-served by the local GAA club since its inception in 1887. The GAA field has provided an invaluable outlet to the village for generations. The new sports playing field is intended to be available throughout the year in all weather and to all sporting codes. the overall theme of the development is ‘all-inclusive’

An all-inclusive playground is the focal point of the facility. The committee in Oola has been inspired by recent developments in other Limerick communities like Mungret and Murroe. The playground in Mungret is designed to accommodate non-able bodied children as much as possible and there is a sensory area for children on the autistic spectrum. This playground is a model for what can and should be provided in every community in the country.

The community field is not just for children. The development will include a walking / biking path. Adult exercise equipment and benches will be provided around the perimeter of the park to keep fit or just sit and enjoy and enjoy the weather.

Here's just a small sampling of the community-driven projects that have been implemented over the years

St. ANTHONY’s GRAVEYARD

Archbishop Kieran O’ Reilly, SMA, Archbishop of Cashel & Emly, visited Oola on Friday Oct 12th to confer a blessing on St. Anthony’s Graveyard, Oola.

During the ceremony, Archbishop O’ Reilly celebrated the generosity of Timothy Hayes and Sister Anthony Hayes who made such a significant donation to the parish of Oola. Upon her death, Sister Anthony Hayes donated a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the family farm to the parish and community of Oola. In addition, with the knowledge that the existing graveyard in Oola was full to capacity, three acres of land was also donated to facilitate a new graveyard for the parish. Archbishop O’ Reilly dedicated a plaque to the Hayes family for their enormous generosity.

The donation of the land was just the beginning of a long and sustained effort to create the impressive environment that exists today. The graveyard stands as proof of what can be achieved by a small team with a vision and drive to make things happen. The committee left no stone un-turned to identify funding for the project. Most importantly, volunteers gave their time, energy, and skill and all labour was donated for free. A plaque will be dedicated to the efforts of those volunteers, our friends and neighbors, who worked tirelessly and without fanfare for their community.

OOLA TIDY TOWNs

The Tidy Towns Committee continue their work to enhance the our village. Two key projects have been delivered in Oola in the past 12 months including the restoration of a stone wall that dates back to the 1840s which has enhanced the east Limerick village and plans are also underway to develop a wildlife park at the top of the village.

Their work has been rewarded with multiple wins in the annual Going for Gold awards .Most recently, Oola Tidy Towns was awarded €5000 for the bee friendly park at the top of the village

Oola Tidy Towns encourages young people in the area to come out and get involved with the work carried out by the local committee

OOLA COMMUNITY CENTRE

Oola Community center and sports hall is an incredible resource for the village and local community. The hall currently supports numerous classes and activities including Irish Dancing, Taekwando, Bingo, and much more.

We probably take it for granted today, but, the construction of this Centre was a monumental achievement by the community of Oola. It was an entirely self-funded project at a time when money was a scarce commodity. It is a testament to hard work and grit. We should never forget the work of the Community Council at the time, and the many volunteers who worked, and fund-raised and gave their time to the effort. The Centre is a monument to their dedication to their community.