2025-04-04-annual-report - Pobal an Chaistil

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Annual Report for the year ended March 31st 2025

The directors of Pobal an Chaistil are pleased to submit their report and accounts for the period April 1st 2024 to March 31st 2025.

Accommodation

We are currently accommodated in a premises in the centre of Ballycastle which is currently being redeveloped into a multi-use community and performance space.

Financial Review

Pobal an Chaistil’s opening balance as at 1[st] April 2024 was £1727.59. The closing balance at 31[st] March 2025 was £777.08.

Income was £58,227.06, which included £48,532.06 of grant funding and £9,695 of donations Expenditure was £59,177.57 which included £72.83 in bank fees and £59,104.74 in building and refurbishment costs.

Gifts and Support in Kind

In assessing the finances and assets of the society it must be noted that directors give a great deal of support in kind. Our directors will often incur printing and postage costs which they do not claim, and they also give generously of their time – organizing community access and helping with ongoing activities.

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity Name Pobal an Chaistil

Charity Number

Registered Charity in Northern Ireland No. 109956

Principal Address 36A Sráid Áine Baile an Chaistil BT54 6AD

Committee/Charity Directors as of March 31[st] 2025

Dr Réamann Mathers Brídín Ní Dhonnghaile Gearóid Ó Triombaill Des Flannagan

Structure, Governance, and Management Governing Document and Constitution

Pobal an Chaistil is governed by Memorandum and Articles adopted in March 2023. The association is run by 4 directors who have been in post since the group was established.

Meetings

The directors meet as required throughout the year and at each meeting the treasurer gives an updated income and expenditure review.

Purpose

Pobal an Chaistil exists to advance education and community wellbeing through the promotion and development of Gaelic language, heritage, arts, culture, history, environmental awareness, public participation and lifelong learning opportunities. It seeks to strengthen community participation, social inclusion, and the wellbeing of people within Ballycastle, the Glens of Antrim, North Antrim and organisations beyond this area when beneficial

The organisation also works to support and develop community infrastructure, cultural activity, tourism, local enterprise, environmental sustainability, and heritage initiatives for the benefit of the wider public. Central to its work is a commitment to environmental protection, biodiversity, sustainable food systems, climate awareness, and the development of environmentally responsible community programmes.

In carrying out these aims, the organisation may collaborate and work in partnership with individuals, organisations, and community groups whose objectives are consistent with its charitable purposes, both within and beyond its principal geographical area.

Public Benefit Statement

Pobal an Chaistil was formally established as a Company Limited by Guarantee and registered charity in 2023. While this is an altogether new legal body, it builds upon the legacy, relationships, experience, and community work developed over more than 26 years through wider Gaelic, educational, cultural, environmental, and community initiatives in Ballycastle and the surrounding area.

The organisation was established in its current form to provide a stronger and more sustainable governance structure capable of delivering long-term community infrastructure, heritage projects, educational programmes, and wider public benefit activities. Although the legal structure is new, the work, community involvement, partnerships, and local trust on which it is built have developed gradually over many years of voluntary and community-led activity.

What your organisation does

The organisation provides public benefit through a wide range of educational, cultural, environmental, and community activities accessible to people of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Its work supports social inclusion, lifelong learning, environmental awareness, local economic resilience, cultural participation, and community wellbeing.

Previous and ongoing community activity connected to the wider legacy of Pobal an Chaistil includes support for Gaelic-medium education, youth programmes, adult learning opportunities, summer schemes, parenting initiatives, cultural events, environmental projects, volunteering, and wider community development work. This includes the establishment and long-term support of Gaelscoil an Chaistil and related community activity which has contributed significantly to the development of Gaelic-medium education within the local area.

The organisation works collaboratively with schools, community groups, local businesses, cultural organisations, environmental initiatives, volunteers, and public bodies to strengthen opportunities for education, participation, skills development, employment, and civic engagement. Young people are encouraged to develop confidence, leadership skills, volunteering experience, and positive community participation through involvement in cultural, educational, and environmental programmes.

Pobal an Chaistil has also acquired premises in the centre of Ballycastle which are being redeveloped into a multi-use community, cultural, educational, and performance space. This facility will provide long-term community infrastructure supporting heritage activity, learning, environmental programmes, tourism, local enterprise, arts, culture, and wider community development.

The organisation’s activities are carried out for the benefit of the public and not for private gain. Any fees charged for activities are modest and contribute directly towards operational sustainability and programme delivery. All income generated by the organisation is reinvested into its charitable purposes and activities. Directors do not receive dividends or profit distributions.

Appropriate safeguarding, governance, financial management, and health and safety procedures are maintained across all activities. Staff and volunteers working with children and vulnerable groups are vetted in accordance with legal requirements and good practice guidance.

Charitable Purposes

To advance education through the promotion and development of Gaelic language, heritage, arts, culture, history, environmental awareness, and lifelong learning opportunities.
To promote community development, participation, social inclusion, and wellbeing within Ballycastle, the Glens of Antrim, North Antrim, and surrounding areas.
To support and develop community infrastructure, cultural activity, tourism, local enterprise, environmental sustainability, and heritage initiatives for the benefit of the wider public.
To promote environmental protection, biodiversity, sustainable food systems, climate awareness, and environmentally responsible community programmes.
To support collaboration and partnership with individuals, organisations, and community groups whose aims are consistent with the charitable purposes of the organisation both within and beyond the organisation’s principal geographical area.

Nothing in the Articles of Association shall authorise any application of the property of the charity for purposes which are not charitable in accordance with the law or other applicable statutory provisions relating to charitable purposes.

Signed on behalf of the directors of Pobal an Chaistil.