In 1995 the site at 40 Main Street Eglinton was donated to the local community by 2 local businessmen Patrick and John McGinnis.   There was a small bungalow on the site and Mary McGuiggan took on the task of running activities for women and for young people in the bungalow.  Mary formed Eglinton Women's Group and ran the Eglin-teen project during those first few years  when a portacabin was put beside the bungalow to expand services for young people.  There were a wide range of classes and courses - art, furniture upholstery, circus and juggling workshops, support, advice, personal development, music lessons.

Eglinton was a growing village and eventually funding was applied for to build the small hall at the front of the site.  All this was happening while activities were still being run for  women, older people and Eglinton Youth Club.  For a short period during construction of the small hall our services moved over to a house on Coolafinney Road which was given for the purpose by Longs Supermarket.

The new hall opened in March 2001.  Over the next 12 years the local community used the hall for family gatherings, dance, drama, aerobics, music, youth club.  Eglinton Village was still growing from a population of 2300 in 2001 Census to a population of 4300 in 2011 Census.  We applied for funding to build the new extension, which was completed in May 2013.  The current hall is now able to accommodate many more fitness, art, social, recreational classes.

Eglinton Community Hall has always been able to  sustain itself over  the last 20 years and has helped out the local community during the the flooding in 2017.  During the COVID-19 emergency since March this year we have  worked closely with Eglinton Churches Together to support vulnerable, isolated people with shopping and medication.  We had our village Disney Parade to cheer up the children during lockdown and have continued with some online classes.  This period has left us in great difficulties in trying to open up again as we have had no rental income for almost 6 months now.

We would so appreciate the support of the local community to help us fundraise, bring staff back and help support  services for the future.  Thank you for your support and we hope you enjoy some photographic memories