Our Community Connect Recipients Evening was a celebration of the people, groups and organisations whose work makes a difference every day across the communities served by St. Canice’s Credit Union.
This year, €150,000 in funding was awarded to 49 community groups and organisations. Behind those awards was a process that began many months ago and involved more than 180 applications. Each application told a story of people coming together to address local needs, create opportunities and improve the quality of life within their communities.
The volume and quality of applications made the selection process particularly challenging. Every application demonstrated a genuine commitment to making a positive impact and represented worthwhile projects deserving of support. As a community-based financial cooperative, our aim is to spread funding across the communities we serve so that the benefits of Community Connect can reach as many areas and organisations as possible.
The evening opened with an address from Carmel Butler, CEO of St. Canice’s Credit Union, who spoke about the collective impact of credit unions across the island of Ireland. Her remarks highlighted the unique role credit unions continue to play in supporting local communities, not only through financial services but also through investment in projects, initiatives and organisations that enrich community life.
We were delighted to have Maura Derrane guide the evening. Her warmth and engaging style helped create an atmosphere that reflected the spirit of Community Connect itself, bringing together people from a wide range of organisations who all share a common goal of improving the places where they live and work.
Guests also heard from our panel of speakers, David Malone, David Denieffe and Mary-Pat Murphy, who each brought both professional expertise and personal experience to the discussion. Their contributions offered valuable insight into the importance of community involvement and the lasting effect local initiatives can have on individuals, families and wider society.
A highlight of the evening was the acknowledgement of each of the 49 recipients. The projects being supported this year cover a broad range of community needs, demonstrating the diversity of activity taking place throughout our common bond.
Among the recipients was The 6th Kilkenny Kells Scout Group, which continues to provide young people with opportunities to develop confidence, leadership skills and lifelong friendships through scouting activities and outdoor adventure. The group received €3,000 to support the refurbishment of its Scout Den, helping to ensure a safe and welcoming facility for both current members and future generations of Scouts.
Another recipient, Mullinahone Football Club, continues to play an important role within its local community by providing opportunities for people of all ages to participate in sport and stay active. Its €4,500 Community Connect award will fund the installation of two new ball-stop nets, an improvement that will enhance player safety while supporting future development plans for the club.
These are just two examples among many remarkable projects that received support through Community Connect 2026. Collectively, the funded initiatives will benefit thousands of people through improvements to facilities, equipment, programmes and services delivered at local level.
As the evening drew to a close, Marketing Manager Caoimhe Amond thanked everyone for their contribution to the success of Community Connect and encouraged continued support for the credit union.
She reminded attendees that initiatives such as Community Connect are made possible because members choose to save, borrow and do their banking with St. Canice’s Credit Union. Every member contributes to the strength of the credit union, and in turn, that strength helps support communities through programmes like Community Connect.
The evening served as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when communities work together. We would like to congratulate all 49 recipients and thank every group that applied. While not every organisation could receive funding this year, each application demonstrated the commitment that exists throughout our communities. We look forward to following these projects as they progress and seeing the difference they make in the months ahead.
