Pullough fights back against rural decline

Against all odds and rural decline, the small isolated village of Pullough is fighting back and inspiring others around Ireland to get involved in their community and seek the relevant supports available.

The remarkable achievements recently of the Pullough Community Action Group winning the Volunteer Ireland Outstanding Group Award 2018, has cast a bright light from all corners of the country into what can be achieved by locals pulling together, supporting each other and seeking assistance, advice and funding.

The story of the Pullough Community Shop has been reported across the country over the past year and a half and recently a government supported magazine, Changing Ireland, and a reporter from TG4 called to the small picturesque village to get the inside story of how the close-knit and determined community of just over 700 people went from having no shop, a post office under threat and which subsequently closed in January, and a pub which opened only at weekends to a thriving, to a bubbling village coming back to life and taking action to address the needs of all ages.

With the success of the Pullough Community Shop, now the hub of the village and one of seven nationwide, others in the village have got involved too and over the past few months, Pullough Men's Shed with 14 members and Pullough Youth Space with over 80 registered children, have been established and both are very active providing activities for its members.

The Pullough Residents Development Association recently reformed as an umbrella group representing thirteen local interest groups including the ones mentioned earlier and others like the community alert, active age, the heritage group and tidy towns. They meet monthly to discuss current issues and concerns and are drawing up plans for the future.

With this in mind, a meeting took place in the village with group representatives and council officials to discuss ideas about improving Pullough's roads, lighting and infrastructures to meet the needs of the locals and the anticipated footfall from the Grand Canal Greenway, which passes through the village which in turn is 'halfway between Tullamore and Lough Boora Parklands and creates opportunities and possible employment.

Other funding streams are been looked into by the local volunteers, groups and by support bodies including Offaly Local Development Company.