Mission Statement

The promotion and protection of the Island of Inch and its resources for the benefit of the whole community.

Vision Statement

Inch Island Community Association is working to regenerate the Island of Inch by identifying and developing the necessary resources, services and facilities to meet the needs of all of its residents and visitors.

The Group aims to create a new ‘heart’ for the island through the provision of a resource facility where people can meet, socialise and organise.

It will also work to develop a more ‘integrated community’ which will work together to build a better island for its future generations.

In so doing, it will recognise the achievements of the past and record and promote the natural and historical beauty of the Island.

Aims:

• To limit the isolation and social exclusion which is prevalent in this area.
• To provide a none threatening, affable environment for the people of Inch island and its visitors.
• To give people the opportunity to participate in issues that affect their community.
• To provide a place where people can come together socially and encourage civic spirit and a united community.

Activities:

• Social and health; bingo, bowling, cheili dancing, yoga, kick boxing
• Classes; flower arranging, painting, IT, weight & fitness
• Training; committee training – roles & project planning
• Youth – Weekly youth club, Summer Camp
• Clubs; bowling, book, hill walkers.

Inch Island Community Association has existed as a unit for approximately seven years. It was first established when a group of concerned residents came together to look at the issue of planning and over planning on the Island. The indigenous population on Inch Island were angered by the number of holiday homes being erected when many of their own children and families could no longer afford to live here and were having to leave the Island all together.

This issue was resolved and the end result accepted by the community. However the committee with minor changes had begun to work on other issues affecting the Community of Inch. They as individuals began bringing issues of concern from the community to the group to look for a solution. Major infrastructural issues were a focus including the disintegration of the pier and the lack of mains water supply.

In 2002 the focus had moved towards community development although environmental and infrastructural issues were still a priority. In April 2003 the Community Association became a company Ltd. By Guarantee in order to apply for funding. As such the Association is now referred to as ‘Inch Island Community Enterprise Ltd’.

In 2003 the Associations successfully applied for funding under the Peace II programme, measure 2.4c ‘Pathways to Inclusion, Integration and Reconciliation of Victims – of Target Groups in the Border Region’. Funding was granted to work with the community, especially in the area of reconciliation. Minority groups were named as a priority as it was felt that these were the groups most affected by ‘the legacy of the conflict’ in Northern Ireland.
The Community Association was at that stage working towards a ‘common goal of protecting the well – being of the Island and its residents for the benefit of the whole community’ .

Inch Island

Inch is joined to the Inishowen Peninsula by one causeway; this is the only way for traffic to enter and leave the island.  There is no through traffic.  The island is 4.5 miles by road to the border.  It has no school and many residents have had to travel across the border for work.  Inch community’s economic and social development has lagged behind in an already disadvantaged area.

A study carried out in April 2000 by R&H Consulting of Dublin noted
‘there is lack of leadership and a lack of interest or willingness to speak out …  This is allied to resistance to change and a sense of disempowerment in the community’. 
Further on it notes ‘there is a community divide on the island’ and remarks on the need ‘for the development of community spirit and pride on the island’.

As a result there has been a withdrawal and a stoical ‘keep the head down’ attitude.  This has led to feelings of isolation and marginalisation.  Yet the island has great potential.  It has various heritage landmarks such as a fort, a water mill and Inch Castle, symbols of its rich historical past.  Much of Inch is a high amenity area: there is great natural beauty, Inch lake and a bird sanctuary.

The residents and especially the island’s youth have had few opportunities to meet together on a cross community basis before the inception of the project. The April 2000 study noted that almost 30% of the Inch population are under 14 years.  Young people on the island attend separate schools off the island.

Local community infrastructure is practically non-existent and apart from the recently refurbished Inch Hall, the only meeting places are the Catholic and Presbyterian Churches. The small Post Office, the only retail outlet on the island closed recently.  Even the post box had been lost until recently but the Association lobbied for it to be replaced and hope to have it up shortly.  Public transport is very limited.

The April 2000 study remarked ‘there is no indigenous industry at all, including no retail outlets, restaurants or pubs on the island and few employment opportunities.’  The island has seen little economic investment over the past few years since the peace process has begun.

Future desires - the facility project.

For a number of years now Inch Island Community Association has been giving consideration to if a community facility needed to be considered for the Island and if so what might it be. Members of the community past and present have visited a number of different projects to see and get a sense of what’s out there and what has worked for other groups.

In addition information has been gathered for consideration and to add weight to an argument for development on the island in the form of a number of reports and feasibility studies.