Croom Community Development Association (CCDA) recently hosted a dinner at Croom Civic Centre to honour Mr Denis Brosnan for his longstanding contribution to the local community. Former directors of the organisation, along with past members of Croom Community Council, attended the event to acknowledge his significant impact on the town over the past four decades.
A native of Kerry, Mr Brosnan moved to Croom 40 years ago and has since played an active role in supporting and developing the community in a variety of ways.
Ms Maureen Curtin of CCDA noted that Denis and Joan Brosnan have made a lasting and positive contribution to life in the town since their arrival. She highlighted Mr Brosnan’s involvement as a board member during a period when the organisation led ambitious and visionary projects, including the development of Croom Town Park and Croom Civic Centre, as well as the rescue of the former Community Centre.
As a current board member, Mr Brosnan has also overseen the refurbishment of the Civic Centre in 2022 and has proposed the development of a town plaza to Limerick City and County Council. The Brosnan family have also been longstanding supporters of Croom Tidy Towns.
Mr Padraig Broderick, speaking as a board member of Croom Enterprise Centre, reflected on the progress made in recent years. He noted that what began as an ambitious plan 12 years ago is now a fully occupied facility supporting ten businesses and making a valuable contribution to the local economy. He also highlighted the strength of local enterprises, including Croom Concrete and Croom Medical, in providing employment within the town.
Mr David Hurley welcomed former board members and representatives from a wide range of voluntary organisations, including Croom United, Croom GAA Club, Tidy Towns and Croom Active Retirement. He remarked that Mr Brosnan’s contribution has been felt across all aspects of community life. He praised his generosity in giving time, expertise and leadership to help make the town a vibrant place to live, work and visit.
In his address, Mr Brosnan spoke with conviction about the future of the town, emphasising that while much has been achieved, there remains significant potential for further development. He highlighted the importance of continued investment to ensure that future generations can live and thrive in the area. He pointed to the strong foundations already in place, including award-winning schools and the capacity for housing development, but stressed that the upgrading of wastewater infrastructure is essential to unlock that potential.
Mr Brosnan also underlined that the progress made in Croom to date has been driven by a strong spirit of collaboration, with the community working closely alongside the local authority to deliver lasting improvements. He expressed confidence that, with the same shared ambition and cooperation, the town can continue to grow and prosper in the years ahead.
Presentations were made by former committee and board members on behalf of the CCDA. Mrs Mary Ryan and Mr Milo Spillane presented Mr Brosnan with a painting of Croom House. A signed Kerry jersey was also presented by Ms Eibhlís Shanahan and Mr Padraig Broderick, fellow Kerry natives who have made their homes in Croom.
Catering on the night was provided by Hook & Ladder, and those in attendance widely praised the food.