Projects
The community development projects are undertaken collaboratively with local
leaders. In the spirit of autonomous community development, students work side-by-side
with community members to organize and complete their projects. Each year the
projects change-in response to the community's changing development needs and
the students' learning interests.
Click below to view descriptions, photos, & reports from past projects:
Community Engagement in Rural Ireland would not be possible without
the generous support of local people living in the Tochar Valley. In particular,
community mentors and village council members volunteer their time to assist
MSU students in shaping and completing their community engagement projects.
Host families open their doors and their lives, answering questions about life
in rural Ireland and helping MSU students succeed. We are grateful for their
commitment!
Click here for a list of past community members and host families.
Community Engagement in Rural Ireland is part of an on-going international
outreach partnership between MSU faculty and staff and members of the Tochar
Valley Rural Community Network. The overarching set of community development
activities includes student internships, rural development consulting, dissertation
research, and outreach/extension projects.
Click here to see a brief history of the partnership activities.
Community Engagement in Rural Ireland is unique program that blends the
best thinking on community engagement, international education, whole-person
development, and sustainability. Our activities are celebrated in presentations,
newspapers, radio shows, and reports.
Click here to view what is being shared and said about this partnership.
Student participants in Community Engagement in Rural Ireland need
to be manage their projects proactively. Over the years, program faculty and
students have developed some planning tools and worksheets that are useful guides
for successfully completing your project.
Click here to for project management tools.
History of Mayo Abbey Schools
Student Affairs Administration graduate student, Glenn Sterner researched the
history of the Irish education system and the National school in Mayo Abbey.
Working closely with members of Mayo Abbey’s Heritage Committee—Paddy
Gibbons and Eddie Barrett, Glenn organized research, wrote a report, and produced
two large posters for the community center.
Community Assets/Profile
Interdisciplinary Studies/International Relations student, Katie Clark worked
with Mary Prendergast and Mary Jo Cannon in village of Belcarra to update their
community profile. Katie interviewed community members, attended community group
meetings, and merged existing documents into a color report with photos. The
report may form the basis of a community futures process.
Developing a Youth Center
Family Consumer Services major, Melanie Service worked with Norita Clesham of
Balla to learn about what Balla’s youth would like at their community
center. Melanie gathered ideas from students at the National and Secondary Schools
and visited other successful youth centers in the area to include her planning
document.
Needs Assessment for Childcare Services
Kelly Snape, a family and consumer services major, worked with Patricia Jennings
to survey the families of under-fives and in the primary school to determine
their needs and preferences for child care services and facilities. Her report
will be used to apply for funding from Mayo County’s Childcare Committee.
Developing Locally Distinctive Walks
Lyman Briggs major, Kristen Pratt, collaborated with Pat McHale and the Carnacon
Village Council to map out two locally distinctive walks—Kiltoom Woods
and Carncacon points of interest. She researched the flora, fauna, and history
of the area. The scoping document will be used to apply for funding.
Photographs and Background Information on Tochar Villages
Kristy Braind, criminal justice major, and Laura Potter, English major, teamed
together to interview leaders in 12 of the Tochar’s villages to gather
background information to update the Tochar Valley brochure. Maureen Lally was
their mentor. Their information and photographs will be used to create a new
brochure.
History of Killawalla Cemetery
Andrea Regan, parks, recreation, and tourism major, worked with Bernie Conway
of Killawalla to research the families interred in the Killawalla cemetery.
Andrea’s project included family heritage and maps of townlands. A map
of the current cemetery was made to hang in the community center.
Education for Special Needs Students
Special Education student, Erin Hansen worked in the Balla National School under
the supervision of Patricia Flatley. She learned about education for special
needs students in Ireland and put together a resource guide for classroom activities.
Community Assets/Profile Report
Laura Rodgers, environmental studies and applications major, worked with village
leader, David Hughes, to complete a community assessment of Aughagower’s
assets. Laura focused on part of her report on the village’s unique environmental
features. The report may serve as a basis of community futures project.
History of Community Development in Mayo Abbey
Anthony Howell, interdisciplinary studies major, worked along side of Ger Maguire,
to produce a history of community development at the Mayo Abbey Community Center.
His report will be used as a reference document for future funding applications.
Environmental Education Posters and Activities
Letecia Villarreal, fisheries and wildlife student, worked with Mary Prendergast
and Lynda Huxley of Belcarra to create environmental education materials to
be used along Belcarra’s River Walk. Leticia worked with some school children
from Errew School on educational activities and created two large posters that
hang in Belcarra’s Community Center.
Tourist Map in Partry
Adrianne Sloat, James Madison student, worked with Kathy O’Neil and Sean
Bourke to complete a map with sites of interest in Partry, that will hang near
the covered well. She was also assigned a cemetery project in Partry’s
townland, named Kilkiren.]
Design for a Village Park in Cong’s Dry Canal
Civil Engineering student, Hannah Remtema, and Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
major, Mandy Hills, teamed up to design a village park to celebrate Cong’s
dry canal. Hannah worked on the engineering specifications while Mandy assisted
in design decisions about materials. Mary Wrafter served as project mentor.
Peter Gill at Mayo County Council provided computers and assistance in completing
the project.
History of Parish, Church, and Cemetery
Family Community Services major, Renee Worthing worked with Ann Bourke of Ballyheane
to complete a brief history of the parish, church, and cemetery. Renee interviewed
elders in the community, did research in the Castlebar library, and talked with
an artist.
Design of Public Relations Materials for Nonprofit
ANR Communications major, Erin Sneller worked with Sr. Maureen Lally at the
Mayo Abbey Community Center to create a logo, letterhead, and press release
kit for the Tochar Valley Rural Community Network.
Researching an Abandoned Famine Village
James Madison student, A.J. Kleinheksel worked with Ann McHale to research the
history of an abandoned famine village, named Maumeen. A.J. talked with a local
historian and researched church records to find the names of the individuals
who lived in Maumeen.
Designing a Computer Lab/Community Room
Mechanical engineering, Nate Sneller worked with Ger Maguire and Paddy Gibbons
on the design of a computer room at the Mayo Abbey Community Center. Nate also
helped with some archaeology surveying.
Mapping Community/Tourist Assets
Family Community Studies major, Joanie Vernasco worked in the village of Partry.
She researched villages and sites of interest in the village of Partry and the
surrounding areas. Joanie's work will be included in a map for tourists.
Planning a Downtown Park
Civil engineering student, Ella Ely worked with Mary Jo Cannon and Mary Prendergast
at the Belcarra Community Center. With assistance from Peter Gill, Ella drafted
plans for a park-with benches, street lights, and trees-along the river walk.
Ella's good work supported the village of Belcarra's bid for matching funds
for the project. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the bridge was held in 2005.
Youth Group Development
Family Community Studies major, Sarah Tobie worked with youth groups from the
villages of Balla and Murrisk to identify their needs and interests. The high
point of Sarah's project was a joint meeting of both groups in Murrisk.
Developing Walking Tours
Interdisciplinary Studies/Community Studies major, Liz Schwind worked with Mary
McDonough and the Kelly's to create a brochure documenting different walking
tours of Clogher. She developed a brochure with photographs of key places.
2002 Projects
SPECIAL SEMSTER LONG PROJECT
PILOT STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
Oral Histories on Native Plants and Animals
Environmental Studies major, Robin McCoy worked with Mary McDonough and Heather
Kelly in the village of Clogher. Robin talked with the elders in the community
to learn the legends associated with native plants and animals. The information
Robin gathered was used to develop a brochure.
Flora and Fauna in a Vernal Lake
Fisheries and Wildlife graduate student, Jennifer VanDerLaan worked with Norita
Cleshman at the Balla Community Center. Jennifer explored an ephemeral or vernal
lake and inventoried the special plants and animals that inhabit the lake during
its wet phase.
Developing a River Walk
Environmental Studies major, Ann Munsell worked with Mary Prendergast and the
Lynda and Chris Huxley in Belcarra. Ann documented the points of interest along
the river walk path and developed a brochure describing them.
Researching the Legend of Sean na Saggart
Environmental Studies major, Natalie Penzick worked closely with Ann McHale
and Terry Gallagher at the Celtic Furrow in Ballintubber. Natalie researched
the route that Sean na Saggart followed during his flight.
Demonstration Garden at Community Center
Horticulture major, Dru Bernthal worked with Ger Maguire and the residents of
Mayo Abbey to design a demonstration garden at the community center. Dru worked
with a group of seniors and the youth group to identify what kind of garden
people wanted to have at their community center, and then, drew up plans for
the community garden. Ground was broken for the garden in the summer of 2005.
