Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA today officially opened Glendarragh Valley Inn Ederney, Co. Fermanagh. The £722,000 tourism and community facility was developed by Ederney Community Development Limited, thanks to support from the Department for Social Development (DSD),  International Fund for Ireland (IFI) and Fermanagh District Council.  It boasts  six en-suite bedrooms and a licensed restaurant  on the site of a former derelict garage on the edge of the village Main Street. The venture has created 17 full and part time jobs for the area. Funding from DSD and the IFI totalled £532,000.  Speaking at the official opening, Ms Ritchie: “Glendarragh Valley Inn is both a welcome resource for tourists and an important new addition to the everyday life of the community.  This facility has created jobs and is attracting visitors to the area, with all the knock-on benefits that brings for other local businesses.   It embodies all that my Department and its partners aimed to achieve by supporting the community to take control of its future.”International Fund for Ireland Chairman Denis Rooney MBE said, “We are delighted to have been able to assist with the development of this new business here in Ederney. In coming together, the community has created an attractive venue for locals and tourists alike. It has also made a real and meaningful move towards the localities economic regeneration by helping to promote the area as a tourism destination while creating employment for local people.”  Leo Mulligan MBE, Chairman of Ederney Community Development Limited added: “The past year has been the most challenging year for the Company so far, but it was also a year that saw significant strides forward in our overall direction of our first enterprise project with the opening of the licensed Guest Inn and Restaurant. We achieved our key targets in acquiring sufficient project funding and completing on time.“To date the success of the venture has gone some way to reward our efforts.  I am delighted to say the restaurant is now considered one of the finest in this region.. Meanwhile, the room occupancy has been exceptionally good, with high demand both from the business and tourism sectors.  In particular, the wind-farm engineering companies are one of the top customers. Our community is very proud of this facility.  Great credit is due to our partner, Ederney Community Development Trust, which has been to the forefront in developing the concept, and I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of the Board of Directors. “Fermanagh District Council Chairman, Councillor Alex Baird said: “I would like to congratulate Ederney Community Development Ltd on the launch of Glendarragh Valley Inn and Licensed Restaurant.  The group exhibited great foresight, commitment and determination in the development of the project, which has already had a very significant impact on the local economy.  The creation of seventeen jobs in a rural area such as Ederney is to be very much welcomed.  The Council, in association with the European Regional Development Fund through the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme, is absolutely delighted to have funded this community project and wishes it continued success in the future."

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