Truagh Development Association Highlighting Women In The Community

“Approximately 80% of the service users of the Community Services Programme in Truagh and its environs are women”, explained Michael Treanor, Chairperson Truagh Development Association.  “To thank all of the women who support the Community Service Programme year round we would like to raise awareness around some of the work that we do specifically for women to mark International Women’s Day, Thursday 8^th March”, he continued.

Mr Treanor was especially pleased that the Women On The Edge book was archived at Monaghan County Museum on Friday 16^th February as it highlights Truagh Development Association’s commitment to supporting the women of Truagh and the neighbouring communities.  He thanked Liam Bradley the curator of Monaghan County Museum who received a copy of the book from Fiona McCaffrey Jones on his behalf.  “Even though I couldn’t be there myself it was brilliant to see the photographs of the women and their families”.

Fiona McCaffrey Jones and Mary McCrystal managers of the Community Services Programme outlined some of the work they do.

Mary McCrystal discussed Cavan Monaghan ETB’s Employment, Inclusion and Learning for Women – Get Ready, Get Steady, Go course which is running in the parish since January. “Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board runs courses at the Blackwater Valley Learning Centre year round”, Mary stated, “and it is great to see a course specifically for women running in the area too”.

“Key to the success of the Community Services Programme is ongoing consultation with the community so we were delighted to contribute to a piece of research that Dochas for Women are conducting at the minute to establish the needs of women in north Monaghan in 2018”, Fiona McCaffrey Jones explained.  “On behalf of Dochas we spoke to women in the community and gathered questionnaires, which have been forwarded to Dochas for collation.  We look forward to reading the finished report later in the year”.

Last but not least, two very significant birthdays were celebrated in Truagh this week.  Two of the loveliest ladies in the parish, Mae McKenna and Masie Brady were surprised with a birthday cake last Monday at the Social Dinner and Dance.  Mae and Masie are loyal supporters of the Community Services Programme and it was a pleasure to mark the day with them.

For further information about the Community Services Programme contact Fiona on 047 87049.