Ederney: Regeneration helping village look to the future

Inside, the community gathering space was in full swing as people enjoyed the unique hub which has been lovingly restored, and has added a new lease of life to the village.

Neil Armstrong, of Murphy's On Main Street Community Hub and Tea Rooms in Ederney.

Explaining the appeal of Murphy’s on Main Street, Community Hub manager, Neil Armstrong, said: “Murphy's on Main Street is unique in the blend of heritage, culture and essential services and the portfolio of services that we offer, from the tea rooms experience through to the co-working spaces, and the computer facilities or digital training that we'll be offering, through to our health and wellbeing practitioners that are based in the site here, as well as the programming we offer to combat rural isolation”

He continued: “It is unique, and we're blending the history of the property, the experiences our community had with the property in the past, and how they've engaged with it, and we've brought that back full circle.

“It was a gathering space before, and it's a gathering space once more.”

The facility hosts various activities for the local community, including Wellness Wednesdays, and a Plough On group, where residents can attend talks and activities.

“It's a wonderful service, and certainly at times, it doesn't feel like a job,” added Mr. Armstrong.

Kelly Hoey, from Cassie's Bakes, stocking the display cabinet with treats at the Tea Rooms on Ederney Main Street.

Elsewhere, in the coffee shop, Kelly Hoey beamed with joy as she recalled the craic she had earlier in the week with members of the Plough On group who had called into the coffee shop after their session.

When asked what is good about the area, she said: “The people, and the community. If you were here yesterday with the Plough On group, there was singing and storytelling. It [their spirit] should be bottled!”

Patrick McKervey, of James McKervey and Sons, Ederney.

Over on the main thoroughfare lies James McKervey and Sons. Inside was Patrick McKervey, who described the special connection between those who live in the village and its surrounding areas.

“Everyone gets on well with one another and helps each other out.”

His business is one of the oldest in Ederney, he explained. “We have been here about 100 years; it was previously a drapery shop on the corner, but we diversified into building, tiles, bathrooms, and we have been here ever since.”

When asked how the area has changed, he said: “It’s got busier.”

This was an atypical response to hear – normally, when conducting these Focus on... features, The Impartial Reporter often hears of areas becoming quieter, or staying at a stable pace of life.

When asked to explain his answer, Mr. McKervey said: “The main street five or six years ago was very dilapidated.

"A lot of buildings were closed down, ready to fall, and have been demolished [and redeveloped], and there's a lot of houses which have been built around the corner here as well.”

Mr. McKervey summed up the feeling of many people in the village when he said: “You have a couple of great men and women at the helm there of the Community Trust. They're pushing it on, all the time.”

Martin Monaghan, owner of Mace, Ederney. Picture: Ronan McGrade

At the head of Ederney Community Development Trust is Martin Monaghan, a local shop owner.

Mr. Monaghan listed the many members of the community – both as private individuals, and business owners – who have contributed to the success of the village.

“The community hall was a joint venture with Kesh Community Development Association. We got our new community hall and the community gym, which has been very successful.

“It would have a membership of around 250 people.”

"Discussing Murphy’s on Main Street, Mr. Monaghan said: “From our point of view, we're very lucky, and it's thanks to funding for £400,000-plus from the Village Catalyst programme”

He explained that funding and support came from the Department for Communities, DAERA, the Housing Executive and the Architectural Heritage Fund.

Mr. Monaghan acknowledged the contribution of those who worked hard for the village over the years to make it the place it is now.

Praising the current iteration of the Ederney Community Development Trust, he said: “We have a very strong group; a united group working very hard to try to raise the profile of the village.”

He also discussed the demand for people to live in Ederney: “We have development, but we also need development to get more people to live in the community, and that's a bugbear of mine.

“Every time we turn a corner with planning regulations and the Council, you know, they're [the authorities] not encouraging people to build in smaller communities.

“We hope to build our community centre, which is our next phase. It's going to cost us £1.2million.

“We have a lot of our funding secured, we probably have a £500,000 shortfall, which we expect to get from the community.”

One example of a business putting its trust into the community and the community paying it back is the Cobblers Bar and Pizzeria, owned by Donal Carron.

Donal Carron, proprietor of Cobblers Bar and Pizzeria, Ederney. Picture: Ronan McGrade

With a £300,000 budget and a six-week timescale, the former Corner bar was reinvented after Mr. Carron saw that the market had changed post-Covid-19.

With a luxurious interior which would not be out of place in a city centre restaurant, and a tempting menu including a new Sunday lunch offering, it is no surprise that the restaurant has been a hit.

Mr. Carron said: “Since the opening on November 23, we've served 3,000 people in the restaurant.

“We've created three full-time jobs, with two full-time chefs and a full-time General Manager, and seven or eight part-time staff.”

Mr. Carron, who grew up on Main Street, said he wanted to be part of the redevelopment of Ederney.

“The community spirit is there and the way Ederney has developed over this past five to six years, it gives you a real connection to here and wanting to be in it.

“I could have sold it [the pub] after getting it back [from the previous occupier] after Covid-19, but there is that connection to the village and those people in it.

“You just didn't want to just close it and have a derelict building, so my intention was to reinvent and give something back to the village,” added Mr. Carron.

Even those who have ‘blown into’ the village praised the area, with one such ‘blow-in’ – Zara McCusker, originally from Irvinestown – saying that it is “the people who make Ederney”.

Zara McCusker enjoys a day out with her daughter Maisie at the Tearooms in Ederney. Picture: Ronan McGrade

Mrs. McCusker explained: “It’s a small town, so the people come together; the GAA club is massive here,” and added that Ederney St. Joseph’s GAA “brings everyone together”.

“They have done so much for the children and the young people of Ederney. The club facilities are amazing. Even the gym , they hold classes up there, yoga, and there is spinning, too.

“There is a great committee up there too which really helps, and fundraises so much. They’ve been able to start so many new things for the town.”

Mrs. McCusker added that Ederney St. Joseph’s GAC “brings everyone together”.

A teacher in the village, she is enjoying her maternity leave with her daughter, Maisie.

“I feel very lucky to be teaching in Ederney, and I know most of the families, which makes it so much nicer. It is nice to be based in the community and to feel part of it.”

As for 12-week-old Maisie, when asked if she had any comment about Ederney, and what makes it a great place to live, she simply flashed a smile.

An aerial view of Ederney, Co Fermanagh. Picture: Ronan McGrade

Cherrie Knight, Office Administrator and James McFarland, Manager, at Albert J Jones, Ederney. Picture: Ronan McGrade