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Hostel and Self Catering Accommodation
at the Benwiskin Centre, Co. Sligo

Ballintrillick Environmental Group

Nine people formed Ballintrillick Environmental Group (BEG) in March 1992 when concerns were raised about the high levels of illegal dumping in the scenic area of Ballintrillick, North County Sligo. A clean up day was organised which mobilised local interest and support, and has now become an annual event for 10 successive years.

In 1994 the Group decided to become a Limited Company and they approached Coilte in relation to developing the overgrown Barytes Mill site at the base of The Gleniff Horseshoe Drive. The Group purchased this site and, with the assistance of two Fás CE Schemes, have cleared away the overgrowth, rebuilt the stables, reconstructed the water wheel, erected picnic tables and developed a woodland walk around it

In 1996 the Group participated in a Fás sponsored Community Enterprise Development Programme. It was during this course that the Group identified and considered various opportunities for local development. One of these ideas that emerged was that of developing the old Vocational School in Ballintrillick.

The School had remained largely unused, was not maintained by a caretaker and had fallen into disrepair through neglect and vandalism. It was only used on an ad-hoc basis for Group meetings and some fundraising social events. So the Group approached the County Sligo VEC to obtain a long-term lease, which would be necessary for any major development work on behalf of the Group. This was only achieved in June 1999, when a 20-year lease was approved.

In 1996 a feasibility study was carried out to assess the viability of a Hostel co-existing with a Community Centre. The positive results from this secured capital funding from Peace & Reconciliation, Sligo LEADER Partnership Board and the International Fund for Ireland. Further funding for equipping was acquired from Sligo County Enterprise Board, Social Welfare and The Ireland Funds. Finally a loan was obtained from the Sligo County Enterprise Fund and fundraising covered the shortfall.

In September 1999 work began on the School, which is now called The Benwiskin Centre. The refurbished, renovated and extended Centre opened in July 2000 and has a large common room/community hall, a fully equipped kitchen, a dining room, a laundry, a drying room, male/female and disabled access toilets and showers, six en-suite bedrooms that can accommodate 26 people and a fully equipped office and reception. The Centre has now been open since May 2000.

The Centre has now been open for 7 years and has proved to be a very popular destination for Irish and International holiday makers alike and has experienced repeat business and very favourable word-of-mouth business.

Since the foundation of the group back in 1992, our consistent aim has been the enhancement and preservation of the environment. We have been very faithful to this aim with our annual clean ups of the locality, our 15th this year, combined with the development of the Mill Site. (see our eco project section for information on our efforts to preserve and enhance the environment and use renewable natural energy).