Kilkenny's community cafés in plea for government support

Government needs to urgently recognise the value of community cafés and provide stronger supports because they are on ‘thin ice’ a new report says.

There are 27 cooperative, community cafés across Ireland with one of the highest number in Co. Kilkenny - Windgap, Muckalee, Freshford and Ballyhale.

In a pre-budget submission, last week, the National Community Cafés Action Group (NCCAG) launched a new report showing the positive and widereaching benefits of the cafés. Scroll down to continue reading and click the arrows to read more and see more photographs...

BELOW: At the recent Dublin launch of the Community Café Social Impact Report were local contingent Julie O’Brien, Maura Tynan, Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, Mary Kelly and Ryan O’Mara TD 

“Communities are gaining from these cafés all over the country and we want government to recognise the challenges we face,” said Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick who was involved in opening the community café in Muckalee, last year.

The report, he said, is very positive and shows that engagement and activity increased in communities with a café, particularly for the older residents and those who were isolated before.
The cafés are ‘massive for the community,’ he said.

Kilkenny’s community cafés have experienced both highs and lows.
One of the first community cafés in the county opened in Ballyhale. It is currently closed but Kilkenny County Council have received a number of expressions of interest to reopen the facility.

It is also hoped to open a new community café in Glenmore.