Mosney
Encyclopedia
Mosney Accommodation Centre, formerly Butlin's Mosney, and Mosney Holiday Centre; in County Meath
, Ireland
, is situated approximately 48 km (29.8 mi) from Dublin. It is probably best known as the site of a Butlin's
holiday camp
in the second half of the 20th century and as the site for the National Finals of the Community Games
. By the early 21st-century, this had been converted into an accommodation centre for asylum
-seekers.
Mosney railway station
closed down in 2000.
camp outside the UK. In most ways Mosney was identical to Butlin's existing successful camps, but in Ireland this was something seen to be feared, rather than embraced. A number of complaints appeared in the Catholic Standard, warning that holiday camps were an English idea that was not desirable in Catholic Ireland. Like the other camps, Mosney was designed to have a church and reassurances were given that it would be a Catholic chapel with a resident priest. Reassurances were also given that Irish nationals would have priority over British tourists in booking holidays. In July 1948 the camp was finally opened by William Norton
the Minister for Social Welfare
, and it operated successfully as a Butlin's camp until the early 1980s.
The deal to use the camp has been renewed in 2010, albeit with a lower capacity.
County Meath
County Meath is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Mide . Meath County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, is situated approximately 48 km (29.8 mi) from Dublin. It is probably best known as the site of a Butlin's
Butlins
Butlins is a chain of large holiday camps in the United Kingdom. Butlins was founded by Billy Butlin to provide affordable holidays for ordinary British families....
holiday camp
Holiday camp
Holiday camp, in Britain, generally refers to a resort with a boundary that includes accommodation, entertainment and other facilities.As distinct from camping, accommodation typically consisted of chalets – small buildings arranged either individually or in blocks. Some had three or four storeys,...
in the second half of the 20th century and as the site for the National Finals of the Community Games
Community Games
The Community Games is an Irish independent voluntary organisation and National Governing Body providing opportunities for children and young people to grow and develop in a positive and healthy way while experiencing a wide range of sporting and cultural activities...
. By the early 21st-century, this had been converted into an accommodation centre for asylum
Refugee
A refugee is a person who outside her country of origin or habitual residence because she has suffered persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because she is a member of a persecuted 'social group'. Such a person may be referred to as an 'asylum seeker' until...
-seekers.
Mosney railway station
Mosney railway station
Mosney Railway Station opened in June 1948 to serve Mosney in County Meath, Ireland and closed in the summer of 2000, the last season during which the camp operated.-External links:*...
closed down in 2000.
Butlin's Mosney
Mosney was the first Butlin'sButlins
Butlins is a chain of large holiday camps in the United Kingdom. Butlins was founded by Billy Butlin to provide affordable holidays for ordinary British families....
camp outside the UK. In most ways Mosney was identical to Butlin's existing successful camps, but in Ireland this was something seen to be feared, rather than embraced. A number of complaints appeared in the Catholic Standard, warning that holiday camps were an English idea that was not desirable in Catholic Ireland. Like the other camps, Mosney was designed to have a church and reassurances were given that it would be a Catholic chapel with a resident priest. Reassurances were also given that Irish nationals would have priority over British tourists in booking holidays. In July 1948 the camp was finally opened by William Norton
William Norton
William Norton was an Irish Labour Party politician, and leader of the party from 1932 to 1960.Norton was born in Dublin in 1900. He joined the postal service in 1916. By 1920 he was a prominent member in the trade union movement in Ireland. From 1924 to 1948 he served as secretary of the Post...
the Minister for Social Welfare
Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Ireland)
The Minister for Social Protection is the senior minister at the Department of Social Protection in the Government of Ireland.The current Minister for Social Protection is Joan Burton, TD.-Overview:...
, and it operated successfully as a Butlin's camp until the early 1980s.
Mosney Holiday Centre
In 1982, Butlin's sold the camp, which was renamed Mosney Holiday Centre. The camp continued without substantive changes. Every year more than 6,000 children from around the country travelled to Mosney to take part in the Community Games, held in Mosney for 25 years. Mosney was the only location in Ireland had the required 2,500 beds. Each June, the Lions Club took over the centre and provided holidays for 1,200 local people. The last season for Mosney was 2000. Dwindling visitor numbers and problems finding staff for the short 12-week season eventually led to the camp's closure.Mosney Accommodation Centre
In December 2000, a five year deal was signed with the government to turn Mosney into a refugee centre. Mosney is now home to 700 refugees from over 20 different countries. Most of the old attractions have been mothballed, but recreation facilities still included a football arena, table tennis and a supervised play area. There is a 2007 documentary called "Seaview" featuring interviews with asylum seekers and staff from the camp.The deal to use the camp has been renewed in 2010, albeit with a lower capacity.
External links
- Leaflet on Mosney Accommodation Centre by the Refugee and Integration AgencyIrish Refugee and Integration AgencyThe Reception and Integration Agency was established by the Irish government on 2 April 2001. Resulting from the merger of the Direcorate for Asylum Support Services and the Refugee Agency , it is part of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.The RIA is responsible for coordinating...
of the Irish government - Mosney Memories
- Seaview (2007) documeantry film about the refugee camp at the IMDB