Local famine child’s namesake is immortalised in New Lodge business centre - Ritchie

A new state of the art business complex for the New Lodge area of North Belfast was officially opened today.

The new facility is named after a local child, ‘May McSweeney’ who died during the potato famine. The child was buried in the famine plot in the nearby Clifton Street cemetery.

The McSweeney Centre is a new three storey building that will give a welcome boost to local businesses, services and local people of the area. The new facility will comprise:

• Childcare facilities
• Conference and training facilities
• Retail and Office units

It was officially launched by Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie and Denis Rooney, International Fund for Ireland.

Margaret Ritchie said: “These fantastic business and community facilities built here have a big part to play in the regeneration of this area of the city. In stark contrast to the famine era where poverty and destitution were embedded in society, this new state of the art facility gives hope and prosperity.

“This centre will provide much needed services to local people. It will help with employment, health, education and social needs right at the heart of this community. I am pleased to be here today to officially open it to serve this community for future years to come.”

Highlighting community partnerships and joined up government working together Margaret Ritchie continued: “The work of the Ashton Trust is a shining example of what can be achieved when local communities are supported and assisted to tackle the problems that exist in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. I commend all those involved with bringing to fruition this invaluable resource to the New Lodge area.”

The project has been made possible through collaboration between the Department for Social Development, the European Union’s Urban II Programme, the International Fund for Ireland and Ashton Centre Development Ltd.

Denis Rooney, CBE, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, which contributed £671,314 to the scheme, said: “The Fund has enjoyed an enduring and successful relationship with Ashton Community Trust since the early 1990’s and indeed was a lead funder of its first project in Churchill Street.

“I am delighted that the Fund has been able to offer its support again for this new Centre. The Trust has shown great foresight, vision and commitment in the development of this project which will assist Ashton’s continued efforts to promote social and economic advance in this part of north Belfast.

“I would also like to thank our donors the United States of America, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand for their continued support without which we could not fund such vital projects.”

Joe Baker, Chair of the Ashton Community Trust said: “It’s over twenty years now since local people launched the share drive which led to the Ashton Centre. It’s a great tribute to those community visionaries that the Ashton Centre now employs over 100 people and is launching this new regeneration project in the area.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The total project cost of developing the McSweeney Centre was £1,740,000. DSD, through the Urban II Programme committed £770,000.00, IFI contributed £671,314 and Ashton Centre Development Ltd contributed £298,686.
2. For media enquiries contact DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.