Case Study: Knockatallon Action Learning Project

Knockatallon festival weekend a resounding success

Knockatallon Development Committee, Monaghan, was set up in 1994 with the aim of bringing social and economic regeneration to the locality. The group, currently half way through the Community Leadership Programme (CLP), have recently completed an ambitious Action Learning Project to plan, publicise and run a three-day community festival in the village.
 
The festival ran from 29 to 31 July, and proved a resounding success with over 700 visitors. Behind the fun-filled programme with its wide range of recreational and cultural events and activities, the group had a number of very serious aims. Bernadette McCarra from Knockatallon Development Committee explains. 
 
“The whole idea behind the festival was to attract as many people as possible from our community, of all religions, races and ages, in order to show them what we do and encourage them to get involved in community development. We used the planning and publicity for the event to re-establish cross-border and cross- community relations with neighbouring communities, and we invited those attending the various events to tell us about what they need and what they want for this community going forward”    
 
The festival included clay pigeon shooting, a display of vintage machinery, a poultry display, a walking festival for ramblers, a dog show and a dance in the Sliabh Beagh Hotel and Tourism Centre. The Pelican Playhouse and ever-popular inflatables kept the youngsters amused for the afternoon while the Tydavnet section of the Hidden Heritage exhibit drew a crowd inside the Hotel.
 
Bernadette McCarra said “The festival was such a success that we are already planning our next event which we hope will be a digital table quiz around Halloween, with the assistance of our CLP facilitator, and are hoping to run another festival next year”.
 
Many congratulations to all involved in an excellent event and thanks as always to IFI for their support!