Pictures: Groups who received funding from St Canice’s Credit Union gather in Kilkenny

Representatives from over 30 community groups in Kilkenny who received funding from St Canice’s Credit Union gathered at Nowlan Park last week to talk about their projects and meet other leaders.

Last year the Board of St Canice’s Credit Union set aside a fund of €250,000 to be distributed to worthy causes across the common bond area.

To qualify for funding the projects had to be sustainable over a number of years and improve the social, educational and economic wellbeing of the people living in those areas.

Over 100 applications in total, all from groups making fantastic contributions to their area. After a long process of reviewing the applications, the Community Connect committee and the board decided on the 57 projects which would receive support and their share of the €250,000.

The successful groups ranged from sporting organisations like Graignamanagh GAA to support services like the Good Shepherd, from schools to defibrillators and animal welfare to community cafés. They shared their success stories at last week’s event.