Heritage centre a present from man who never forgot his roots

A north Cork man who emigrated to Australia as a teenager never forgot his roots and is going to spend in the region of €500,000 providing his clan’s ancestral home with a state-of-the-art community centre.

John Paul McAuliffe made good down under, founding a building materials supply company, and he’s using some of the money he made to buy and renovate a former church.

The 74-year-old, who is Chieftain of the McAuliffe Clan, has purchased the former Church of Ireland building in Newmarket.

Work has just got under way on turning it into a resource and heritage centre for the clan, and also as a community centre which will be used by locals.

“My good wife, Barbara, and I have been in Ireland for the last two weeks and we have really enjoyed our trip, meeting the people and hearing what they had to say about the project. We are just at the start of this work.

“It’s a big job and when we come back next year I am sure there will be good progress. The idea is to have it up and running for the next McAuliffe Clan Gathering which takes place in 2016.”

The work is being done by local builder Jimmy Buckley.

But John Paul and his wife wouldn’t be found wanting if they had to do a bit of heavy work on the building as back in Sydney they are still working in the family company, even thought they are great-grandparents.

“John Paul still drives big trucks and I love driving the forklift,” Barbara said.

“This project could realistically cost €500,000. It doesn’t matter, it’s a present from my husband to the community and I think that’s just marvellous,” Barbara said.

Their friend Maurice Angland said the couple’s idea was to turn the former church into a culture centre which will be a hub for music, arts, drama, heritage and fun with a big emphasis on the Gaelic culture of the Duhallow and Sliabh Luachra area.

“This is a remarkable act of generosity and altruism towards the people of his native area. To my mind this is real patriotism, giving to your community something really worthwhile,” Mr Angland said.

John Paul and his wife are heading back to Australia tomorrow but will be constantly updated on the project’s progress.

“We hope to come back next June but, in the meantime, we will be sent emails and photos of the progress,” he said.