Diarmaid puts in 40+ years of positive community relations work at Glebe House, Kilclief
Diarmaid McGarrigle, The Centre Manager at Glebe House, is retiring at the end of May after 40 years commitment to the cross-community work of Harmony Community Trust, and involvement in the local community of Lecale.
Helen Honeyman, a leading light in the Harmony Trust, said: “Diarmaid first came to Glebe House in 1977 as a volunteer with the City Of Derry International Voluntary Service on a residential project with disabled children.
“He returned in 1982 as a residential long-term volunteer, moving on to full-time employment as, firstly, the facilities’ worker, then facilities’ manager and finally Centre Manager, responsible for the management and development of a variety programmes as well as the maintenance of the Glebe House centre. itself.
“Over the years Diarmaid has initiated a variety of environmental and community relations projects, welcomed hundreds of international volunteer workers and visitors, kept the ever- expanding facilities and grounds in good order and introduced countless Irish ‘townies’ to the ups-and-downs of country living. Protecting and appreciating the local history and environment as well as a sustainable and shared society have been cornerstones of his work at Glebe House.
Although he is a Derry man through and through, Diarmaid has also becoming embedded in the local community of Kilclief and Strangford. He will be greatly missed when he moves back to the Maiden City.