PICTURES: Kilkenny's St Canice’s Credit Union hosts launch of new All-Ireland Community Impact Report

St Canice’s Credit Union has welcomed a new national report showing that credit unions across Ireland contributed almost €8 million to community organisations in 2024.

St Canice’s alone donating almost €1 million locally over the last decade through their Community Connect fund and other initiatives.

The report, For Communities, Not Profit: The Credit Union Impact on the Island of Ireland (February 2026), was launched at the Medieval Mile Museum in Kilkenny, and highlights the financial and social value generated by credit unions through community funds, education bursaries, local sponsorships, and support for voluntary organisations.

Across Ireland, these contributions benefit schools, sports clubs, youth groups, arts organisations, charities, heritage groups, and community health services. READ NEXT: KILKENNY'S ST PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL READY TO ROLL

The launch was attended by Minister of State for Financial Services, Credit Unions & Insurance Robert Troy, together with Carmel Butler, CEO of St Canice’s Credit Union, Brendan Jenkins, President of the Irish League of Credit Unions, and Stephen McLaughlin, Chair of St Canice’s Credit Union.

The event was also strongly supported by local dignitaries, TDs, councillors and a Community Connect recipients, whose presence reflected both the national importance of the report and the deep impact local impact.

The data gathered for this report demonstrates that when the contributions of local actions are viewed together, they form part of a much bigger story. The combined impact of credit unions shows how local commitment can drive national benefit and continue to strengthen social, cultural and economic life both locally and across Ireland.
READ NEXT: KILKENNY'S ST PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL READY TO ROLL