Oram is one of the communities which was selected for development of a community plan in 2018. The process of consulting with the community started back in January 2018, coinciding with a consultation on how best to spend a grant of €25,000 secured by the Council for the village under the Town & Village Renewal Programme. A community needs survey followed, which provided people living in the area with an opportunity to have their say on what was important to them. Local groups were also invited to make their needs known. These were all pulled in to one document, which seeks to identify the many components which must be put in place in order for the community as a whole to thrive.

By listing the projects out in this Community Plan, it is hoped that it will help a potential funder to visualise how each project fits into the overall development of the area, and thereby give context to a project application. Ultimately, we hope that this will lead to more successful funding applications, and more resources being brought in to the area, for the benefit of the people of Oram.

In 2024, Monaghan County Council entered Oram in the IPB Pride of Place competition in the 0-500 population category. Practically all of the denizens of Oram came out to meet the judges and much craic was had on the day.  This was only exceeded by the excitement of winning the top prize at the gala awards, which was hosted right here in Co. Monaghan. There’s nothing like a home win! Click link to see full report :

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/monaghan/news/its-the-icing-on-the-cake-monaghan-village-of-250-residents-claims-top-honour-at-2024-pride-of-place-awards/a391494055.html

Click the link to view the full plan : Community Plan Oram Final Nov 19 (002)

Since embarking on this journey together, the Council and community have been successful in securing funding for the following projects in the village:

    • CLAR – public realm works – €50,000
    • Community Centre Investment Fund – upgrade to building – €24,000
    • LEADER – astroturf pitch – €89,048
    • LEADER – walking track – €46,974
    • Sports Capital – €104,280
    • Sports Capital – mower – €31,200
    • Town & Village – €60,245
    • Community Enhancement Programme 2018 – €6,000