Laois Macra club hit with costly asbestos roof replacement bill

A Laois Macra Club is asking the community and members to dig deep and help pay the costly price to reroof their leaking hall.

Mountmellick Macra's community hall was roofed in dangerous asbestos, which pushed up the cost to replace it.

It was leaking for years, with the club even resorting to put buckets on the stage to catch rainwater.

They recently took the decision to temporarily close it, and the big job is "well underway" by a local company.  The bill is estimated at €185,000 but could be more. 

Ursula Coyle Dunne, chairperson of the building sub committee explained further to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

“For the past few years, the club has battled a major leak in the main roof of the hall and we feared for the hall in times of inclement weather and especially as there have been a number of storms and heavy rainfall this past winter.

"Unfortunately, if the work did not commence, the hall would have been closed for the winter months for safety reasons," she said.

The new roof on Mountmellick Macra Hall, which is behind Patrick Street, on the main N80 road through the town. 

The water ingress has already caused "extensive water damage and unsightly damp patches" throughout the hall. Remedial repairs were done over the years but the club knew a major job was needed.

Club member Rosemary Whelan told the Leinster Express that "we had buckets on the stage when it rained".

They were delighted to be approved for €100,000 from the Community Centre Investment Fund for the repair. The fund comes from the Department of Rural and Community Development. 

“Local builders, Derrycloney Developments are in the process of replacing the entire roof, including the installation of insulation and soundproofing.

“Like many buildings of its era, there was asbestos sheeting over the roof in the main hall. This has now been removed and is being exported to Germany in line with the Environmental Protection Agencies regulations. This part of the project alone is at a huge expense,” Ursula said.

“Due to the complexity of the project, the final cost has yet to be determined; however, it is anticipated to be approximately €185,000 which is a massive amount for any voluntary organisation to raise. However, the club has proactively prepared for this essential project by fundraising for the past few years and ring-fencing proceeds from the Light Up Truck & Tractor Run 2023, recent pantomimes, table quizzes and church gate collections," the chairperson said.

The macra hall is now the last community hall in Mountmellick, with the sale of the Owenass hall by Mountmellick parish.

“The Macra Hall has been a hub in the town for many years. A lot of people have fond memories of the hall whether attending meetings, discos, events, shows, playing badminton or a meeting place for friends. It has served our community for almost 50 years, and we are always happy to open our doors to other organisations.  It is now the only community hall remaining in Mountmellick town and the planned renovations will enhance our hall and future proof it for generations to come”.

The roof (in background) during asbestos removal. 

“To complete the works, a concerted effort from our community and membership is essential and we are in the process of contacting current and former members to ask if they can support this project financially.

If any member of the community or current/past member is in a position to make a donation, they are asked to contact Ursula Coyle Dunne directly on 087 4166969. The names of all donors regardless of amounts will be acknowledged in a specially commissioned frame in the hall.

“Together, we can create a restored Macra Hall that will benefit our members and community for years to come.”

Mountmellick Macra also wants to give a big thanks to the neighbouring residents of Patrick Street for their continued support over the years.

Read also: Explanation given for Laois town's summer long road closure extension

“Their support and permission have been essential in allowing builders access to the Hall to carry out these important works. We look forward to welcoming our patrons back to hall as soon as possible,” Ursula said.

Mountmellick Macra Committee 2024/2025 Chairperson: Aidan Moore, Secretary: Amy Strong, Treasurer: Aoife Oxley, PRO: Emer Feighery.  The building subcommittee members are: Chairperson: Ursula Coyle Dunne, Secretary: Sharon Fitzpatrick, Treasurer: Aoife Oxley and Members: Larry Ryan, Andrew Dunne, Aidan Moore, Chris Joyce, Rosemary Whelan, Michael
O’Gorman, Niamh Feighery, Helen Dempsey, Joanne Teehan.