“It’s probably the best project I’ve seen here in 20 years,” says development worker John McCafferty.

The Active Arranmore project began in January, 2023, with funding for a coordinator for one year. That has now been extended into 2024 and all involved want the funder to back it for a good decade.

“The project is about being active and healthy, having an active body and mind, using the natural infrastructure here, along with the tennis courts, amphitheatre, our gym and so on. The problem was that there was nobody to pull it all together, to coordinate it,” recalled co-op manager John McCafferty.

• CFFAM activities-bike rental 3-photo courtesy CFFAM.

Funding for Active Arranmore comes through the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Empowering Communities Programme.*

John said the project began two years ago when Margaret Larkin – “an absolute angel” – visited from Donegal Local Development Company: “She said they had Empowering Communities Programme funding and what would we like to see in place, what would improve life on the island?”

The islanders knew what they wanted and Active Arranmore was born. Once the coordinator was appointed the project took off.
On a visit to the island in February of this year, it was clear to see from the weekly timetable the range of choices for locals, even in wintertime – including walking, crochet, ping-pong, chess, youth club, early birds gym workouts. Plus there were Zumba classes with Vlad from Ukraine.

“It’s probably the best project I’ve seen here in 20 years,” said John. “It’s gotten people out of their houses.”

• Fiona Ní Ghloinn and co-op manager John McCafferty take a tea-break during hailstones. Not that either is afraid of the weather – Johnny volunteers with the RNLI and Fiona’s job is to get people outdoors and active.

Much of it is free of charge and in the summertime many more activities will be organised and tourists can join in.

One of the island’s two co-ops – Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaiocht Arainn Mhór (CFFAM) – offers kayaking classes, sailing and bicycle-rental during the summer. The island also now has the first accredited marine blueway in the country, meaning it is a tried, tested and safe place to try snorkelling. All these add to the activities the island can offer locals and tourists alike.

Brian Proctor was the first coordinator, employed by DLDC, and he did a fabulous job by all accounts. Fiona Ní Ghloinn, who lives on the island with her family, started in his place in January. We met Fiona but she had to rush away to run a class.

We asked John if other islands are doing this. “No, I don’t think so, but they’ll read about it in Changing Ireland. Other islands, and not alone islands, any community can try this. They are missing a trick by not having coordinated active weekly activities,” he said.

Early risers for Active Arranmore 6.30am gym session for ladies 2-photo courtesy CFFAM.

At 6.30am, he and colleagues take turns opening the community-owned gym for the early birds (ladies on Wednesdays, over-16s girls on Fridays).

“We work together to make things happen,” said John. The project depends on people being willing to do a certain amount of voluntary work.

MORE INFO: You can contact John or Fiona them through CFFAM Árainn Mhór‘s Facebook page.

SUPPORT

The Active Arranmore project is supported by Donegal Local Development Company, Donegal Local Community Development Committee, Donegal County Council, Donegal Sports Partnership, Sláintecare, and the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Arranmore’s gym received €50,000 from the Department of Rural and Community Development and Donegal County Council through the CLÁR scheme in 2022.

* Unfortunately, the Empowering Communities Programme is not a nationwide programme as of yet, although there may be other funds that communities could apply to if interested in replicating what Active Arranmore does. A good starting point is the Department of Rural and Community Development website.