Our 30th Birthday Party

What a day we had celebrating 30 years of Manorhamilton & District Credit Union.

On Saturday, 18th July, members, families, founding members, former board members, local representatives, community groups and friends joined us at our Main Street office for a very special afternoon.

We could not have asked for better weather, and the wonderful turnout helped create an occasion that we will remember for many years to come.

The greatest highlight was seeing so many people from across our local communities come together. There was a lovely atmosphere throughout the afternoon, with music from Glenfarne CCÉ, refreshments, photographs, stories and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with the people who have supported the Credit Union over the past three decades.

How It All Began

Manorhamilton & District Credit Union first opened its doors to the public on 13th December 1996, but its story began much earlier.

Thirty local volunteers met every week for nine months, studying Credit Union rules, ethos and philosophy before laying the foundations for what would become Manorhamilton & District Credit Union.

The project was strongly supported by the late Fr Micheal Kelly, whose commitment and encouragement were instrumental in ensuring that a Credit Union would be established in Manorhamilton.

The first meeting took place in St Clare’s Comprehensive School, and on 13th December 1996, the Credit Union officially opened to the public in the North Leitrim Glens Centre.

On that very first evening, members deposited £3,954.36 in shares. It marked the beginning of a community organisation that would continue to grow and serve local people for the next 30 years.

Fr Micheal Kelly generously sponsored the rent until the Credit Union moved into its own premises on Main Street in August 1999.

VIDEO: Click here to look back at our celebrations

A Building with Its Own History

In 2015, the Credit Union purchased the adjoining former Ulster Bank building for €82,128.

The building has its own long association with banking in Manorhamilton. Ulster Bank first opened in the town on 13th December 1869, exactly 127 years before Manorhamilton & District Credit Union welcomed its first members.

Renovation work on the extended Credit Union office began in 2019 and was completed in February 2020, creating the modern premises that our members use today.

Thirty Years of Local Support

Today, Manorhamilton & District Credit Union proudly serves communities across North Leitrim and West Cavan, including Manorhamilton, Dromahair, Glenfarne, Dowra, Glencar, Kinlough, Kiltyclogher, Blacklion, Rossinver, Glangevlin, Glenade, Drumkeeran and Killargue.

Over the past three decades, the Credit Union has grown to include:

• More than 4,300 members

• Approximately €19 million in assets

• €16.5 million in members’ savings

• Over €8 million currently on loan to local members

These figures represent much more than financial growth.

They represent cars purchased, homes improved, students supported, families helped, local businesses strengthened and plans made possible.

We provide loans for cars, home improvements, education, family occasions, debt consolidation and the many other important expenses that arise in everyday life.

Members can call into our Main Street office, apply through our website or use our mobile app. However people choose to deal with us, our aim remains the same, to provide a friendly, personal and dependable local service.

As Manager Pauline Murray said:

“Our 30th anniversary is a celebration of the local people who had the vision to establish the Credit Union, the volunteers and staff who built on that foundation, and the members who have supported us throughout the years. We are proud of how far we have come, but our purpose remains exactly the same, to serve our members and support the communities we are part of. Manorhamilton & District Credit Union was built by local people, for local people.”

A Very Special Celebration

We were delighted to welcome Marian Harkin, who has been a long-standing supporter of the Credit Union movement and has strong personal connections with Manorhamilton.

We were also delighted to welcome representatives from the Irish League of Credit Unions, who joined us in recognising the contribution of the volunteers, directors, staff and members who have helped shape our Credit Union over the past 30 years.

Their kind words about Manorhamilton & District Credit Union and the important role Credit Unions continue to play in communities across Ireland were greatly appreciated.

Thank You

A celebration like this does not happen without a great deal of work behind the scenes.

We would like to sincerely thank our current and former directors, volunteers and staff members. Their commitment, both past and present, has allowed Manorhamilton & District Credit Union to grow while remaining true to the values on which it was founded.

We also remember those who played an important part in establishing and developing the Credit Union but are sadly no longer with us, including the late Fr Micheal Kelly, whose support was so important during its early years.

Thank you to our speakers and special guests for joining us and helping to make the day so meaningful.

We are also grateful to the local musicians, photographers (James Molloy & Jonas Dellow), food suppliers, businesses and everyone who helped with the organisation of the celebration.

Supporting local has always been important to us, and we were delighted that so many local people and businesses played a part in making the afternoon such a success.

Most importantly, thank you to our members and the wider community.

Whether you have been a member since 1996 or joined us more recently, your loyalty and support have helped make Manorhamilton & District Credit Union what it is today.

Thirty years is a milestone worth celebrating, but it is also an opportunity to look forward.

We remain committed to providing a trusted local service, supporting our members and investing in the communities we serve.

Here’s to the next chapter of Manorhamilton & District Credit Union.

We're Local, Loyal & Lending.

Our 30th Anniversary Gallery

Take a look through some of the photographs from our 30th anniversary celebrations on our facebook page below.