Cork Archives – Community Finance Ireland

Dogs for the Disabled Cork (DFTD) has announced that renovations are now underway at their newly acquired 11.5-acre site, Castlewhite House, located in Waterfall just south of Cork City.

The charity’s new permanent home, made possible by a significant community loan from Community Finance Ireland (CFI), will enable DFTD to train and place more assistance dogs, aiming to reduce their three-year waiting list. This move marks a significant step forward for the charity, which supports disabled adults and children across Ireland with assistance dogs trained to help with practical tasks.

Jennifer Dowler, CEO of DFTD, shares,

“CFI’s support and efficient loan process meant we could secure this site quickly and look toward a promising future. Our new premises will help us serve even more people in need of assistance dogs.”

Nora Keogh Client Relationship Manager Munster Community Finance Ireland & Jennifer Dowler CEO Dogs for the Disabled with DFTD volunteers and assistance dogs on site at the newly acquired located in Waterfall just south of Cork City. **Photo credit**: David Clynch

Nora Keogh, CFI Client Relationship Manager for the Munster Region, said:

“Dogs for the Disabled Cork change lives across Ireland and with the security and potential of their new home, just think how many more people they can help. It’s a powerful example of social impact in action, showing how targeted efforts can make a meaningful difference. We’re delighted to support them and can’t wait to see them roll out their ambitious plans for on-site services in the future.”

We encourage any community or volunteer-led groups who, like DFTD, want to make improvements or expand their services, to reach out to us. We take a flexible approach to bridge funding gaps and support new projects, offering short and long-term loans that are fast, flexible and fair.

For more information on Dogs for the Disabled, visit their website here, or to find out more about Community Finance Ireland and how we can help your next project, click here.

– Community Finance Ireland delivers almost €1 million of financial support in Cork since 2016 –

Na Piarsaigh GAA, a thriving football and hurling club with almost 800 playing members, is looking to the future with further expansion plans, after support from Community Finance Ireland (CFI) enabled the club to restructure existing bank debt.

First founded by a group of local schoolboys, Na Piarsaigh GAA Club has been at the centre of the Fairhill community in Co. Cork since 1943. As the club prepares to celebrate its 80^th anniversary, the board are outlining plans for further expansion to meet the demands of a growing membership.

During the recession, the club experienced financial difficulties, which former Club Chairman Denis O’Neill says led to an anxious time for the board:

“The recession hit us badly, we fell back on payments and were very worried. When we dealt with the bank, they were dealing with us like we were a business. It was at that time that James O’Connor, Selector and Club Accountant at Na Piarsaigh, brought Community Finance Ireland to the attention of the Board.”

Na Pairsaigh GAA Sports Capital Grant Community Finance Ireland — At Na Piarsaigh GAA club Grounds Fairhill Cork City are *L to R:)* Seán Óg Ó hAilpín (local player & legend); Nora Keogh, CFI Client Relationship Manager Munster and Daire Connery (current club legend). As the club restructures its finances with CFI support and advice all looks well for the future legacy of this fantastic volunteer led GAA Club.

Community Finance Ireland provides social finance loans to community and volunteer-led organisations that drive social impact through sport, community projects, faith-based groups, and social enterprises. Operating a model similar to traditional credit unions, all loan repayments go toward supporting other communities across Ireland. CFI provided Na Piarsaigh Hurling and Football Club with a long-term loan of €500,000 to restructure their existing bank loans.

Club Chairman Na Piarsaigh GAA Denis O’Neill said:

“I particularly like that Community Finance Ireland are a non-profit organisation. CFI understand that we are volunteers who just want to provide quality sports services for our local community. They understand where we are coming from and the challenges we faced as a voluntary board.”

Nora Keogh, CFI Client Relationship Manager for the Munster Region, said:

“Na Piarsaigh are an important hub for the local community with members playing at under six right up to senior level. Beyond the players and their families, the club also offers accessible facilities to the wider community through hire of the hall, and their indoor arena, the first of its kind to be built in Ireland which is a great source of pride for the club. We’re delighted to have helped the club refinance and find a pathway to become debt free. The legacies of the recession still have a hold on many clubs across Ireland and we’re proud to help them pave a way forward so that like Na Piarsaigh, they can plan for the future, rather than feel bogged down by the past.”

O’Neill says the club hopes to develop new facilities for the local community and upgrade the public walkway. They hope to secure adjacent land to accommodate an additional training pitch.

Between 2016 and 2022, Community Finance Ireland delivered €7.8m in social finance supports to volunteer and community-led organisations in Munster, including €0.8m in support of projects in Cork.

A total of £16.9m (€18.5m) has been allocated to 162 sports clubs and organisations across Ireland between 2016 and 2022.

If your club is looking for finance, get in touch today or follow us on Twitter.