Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park is a unique and inclusive visitor attraction, offering a range of activities in tourism, culture, heritage, and leisure for people of all ages and interests.
Dún na Sí (pronounced Doon na Shee) translates from Irish as “the fort of the fairies”. It is named after the local folklore that some lone hawthorn bushes (often known as fairy bushes) once marked the presence of a ‘fairy fort’ which previously existed in our Park. Our Heritage Park commemorates the traditions and activities of rural Ireland throughout time, and our Amenity Park provides a beautiful space which celebrates biodiversity and provides a special environment for activity and appreciation of nature.
Timeline
1967 - Moate Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann was formed.
1967
1983 - Moate CCÉ bought 1.5 acre site at Knockdomney.
1983
1985 - The Teach Ceoil was officially opened as a Centre for Irish Culture.
1985
1985 - Dún na Sí Folklore Group was established & travelled to international festival in Denmark.
1985
1989 - Westmeath Genealogy had its beginnings.
1989
1993 - Moate CCÉ purchased an additional 5 acres of land to develop Dún na Sí Heritage Park.
1993
2001 - Moate Heritage Co. Ltd was formed to facilitate the CE Scheme.
2001
2006 - The Rural Museum was opened, which was the brainchild of the late Jimmy Bermingham.
2006
2007 - Midlands Amenity Park was formed & the Cow Park leased.
2007
2013 - The Amenity Park open to the public.
2013
2015 - Irish Rugby star Robbie Henshaw officially opened the Amenity Park. Ard Stiúrthóir of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Labhrás Ó Murchú officated at the opening of the Scéal Exhibition.
2015
2015 - Partnership agreement established between Moate Comhaltas & Midlands Amenity Park.
2015
2017 - Moate CCÉ celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
2017
2018 - Midlands Amenity Park CLG were awarded Pobal Community Services Programme status, commencing on 1st September 2018.
2018
Our History
Set in a stunning 27 acre parkland nestled in the heart of Ireland, Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park boasts an exciting range of recreational, educational, environmental, cultural and historical activities.
The original Dún na Sí Centre opened in 1985, and joined forces with the Midlands Amenity Park Association in 2015. Both groups have worked tirelessly to create what is now Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park. Dún na Sí has become an energetic and inclusive centre promoting tourism, culture, activity, and biodiversity in the Midlands to a local, national, and international visitor base.
Since its very conception, Dún na Sí has been at the heart of the community in Moate, County Westmeath, and thanks to our many wonderful volunteers and staff, it remains so.
ABOUT DÚN NA SÍ
Community Volunteers at Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park
Midland Amenity Park is the fruition of the work of a dedicated and hard-working voluntary community group who saw an opportunity for the creation of a public amenity on the site of a former Cow Park in 2008. The project was a true community endeavour. Today the committee & volunteers continue to develop the park which is now known as Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park. Volunteers are people from all walks of life, all ages and all stages who have a common goal or desire to make a difference in their community and in their own life by the giving of their time. Volunteers are involved in virtually every aspect of the park life from fund raising, organising events, gardening, heritage demonstrations and animal husbandry. At least 100 volunteers annually avail of this opportunity to socialise, develop skills and enhance their self-satisfaction, all recognised as important for well-being.
Service users from St. Hilda’s Moate and Athlone, Transition Students from Moate Community School and Moate Men Shed are involved in ongoing projects to develop and maintain the Park. This is an immense opportunity for skill development and social integration and inclusion for all.
Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park is committed to working with our local community and the wider locality to improve the social and economic life of people living in our area. The Park is also a major focal point to source information and advice on tourist information, employment, training and further education.
Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park has played a major role in the generation of a strong community spirit in Moate, which saw the town win the overall National Pride of Place award in 2016. Such community spirit and relatedness encourages greater loyalty to local businesses.
In December 2019, our volunteers were shortlisted for a Volunteer Ireland Award. We hugely value the work and participation of our wonderful volunteers to our organisation.
The Community Employment (CE) Scheme
Are you unemployed? Looking for a job? Interested in Community Employment?
What is Community Employment?
The Community Employment (CE) Scheme is a programme funded by the Department of Social Protection designed to help people who are long-term unemployed to get back to work by offering part-time temporary placements in jobs based within the local community. You can also take up other part-time work while on a CE placement.
Founded in 2001 to facilitate the CE Scheme Moate Heritage Co is a Community and Voluntary Organisation. It’s also an employer with responsibility for the CE participants who work for the Dún Na Si Amenity & Heritage Park, Moate Community Centre, Moate Action Group, Moate Tidy Towns, Mount Temple Hall and Village, Baylin Village, and Temple Villa Football Club, all located in and around Moate Town.
CE participants work 19.5 hours each week or 39 hours in a fortnight. The CE participant receives a top up payment in addition to their social welfare payment, and earns a Class ‘ A ‘ weekly PRSI Contribution. Job roles on the CE Scheme include Office Workers, Receptionists, Cleaners, Enviromental Workers and General Operatives.
All CE Scheme vacancies are advertised regularly on www.jobsireland.ie. the DNS Facebook page and locally on community and parish noticeboards.
Who is eligible for CE?
You must meet certain requirements to take part in the CE Scheme. You must be 21 years or over and in receipt of a qualifying Irish social welfare payment for one year or more.
To apply for a position on the CE Scheme.
Please contact your local Department of Social Protection (DSP) Employment Services /INTREO Office to check your eligibility for CE. The vacancy number of the position of interest is required.
If you are eligible the INTREO Office will contact the CE Scheme with your details. The CE Scheme Supervisor will then contact you directly to arrange an interview.
Contact Details for the INTREO Office:
National INTREO Contact Centre is 0818 405060
- gov.ie – Athlone Intreo Centre (www.gov.ie)
- gov.ie – Tullamore Intreo Centre (www.gov.ie)
- gov.ie – Mullingar Intreo Centre (www.gov.ie)
- Community Employment – INTREO (vimeo.com)
Contact details for the CE Scheme:
MOATE HERITAGE CO CLG
Dún Na Sí Heritage Centre
Moate, Co Westmeath.
0906481183
Email :info@dunnasi.ie / moiraoc@dunnasi.ie
Supervisor Name: Moira O’ Connor.