As part of their 30th anniversary celebrations, the Fermanagh Trust is honouring 30 remarkable individuals whose commitment to their communities has made a lasting difference. Each awardee receives a £1,000 bursary to benefit the organisation they’re involved with. A gift that celebrates their service while investing in the future.
Tony Harte is being recognised for his decades of community service and efforts to preserve local history for generations to come.
Fermanagh Civic Honour Recipient Tony Harte
A lifelong resident of Coa, Tony has been an active and dedicated member of the community for many years. From his earliest days, attending the old primary school, to raising his own family in the area, his roots run deep. That deep connection inspired a lifetime of service, supporting every aspect of community life with humility, humour and tireless commitment.
Tony was instrumental in the transformation of the old school building into what is now Coa Community Hall. “We formed the committee in 1987 when the old primary school, closed since 1969, was just a shell, no toilets, no kitchen. It was barely usable,” he recalls. “We saw the potential and got stuck in. With help from people like Jim Ledwith, we got the funding and opened in 1991. We later extended the hall to add proper facilities.”
Serving as secretary for 35 years, Tony witnessed the hall become a thriving hub for the area. A home to GAA events, the pipe band, dance and craft classes, funeral teas, women’s groups and senior citizens gatherings. “The hall really changed things. It brought people together. Now it’s a real central hub,” Tony explains. “There’s a strong sense of pride. Everyone shares in the success.”
The history of Coa Pipe Band written by Tony
It’s not just the physical building that Tony helped shape. He has organised everything from mystery bus tours and quizzes to coffee mornings and Christmas markets. “I love organising things. It’s just nice to get people out, especially after COVID,” he says. “It’s not about the time it takes. If there’s a charity that needs supported, we get stuck in. We’ve raised thousands for various causes. You get a real buzz from knowing you’re helping.”
His enthusiasm for local life is matched by a deep respect for its past. Tony has written three books, each capturing a piece of Coa’s unique story. “I was born and raised in Coa and wanted to capture it’s history,” he says. “The first, ‘Life in the Rocky Hills of Coa’ (1999), was a general history of school, church, football, the community. I collected stories from older residents, including my own parents. They had fantastic memories.”
His second book tells the story of the Coa Pipe Band, “the oldest band in Ireland,” which marked 200 years in 2015. His most recent work documents the history of the old school building, now the very place that continues to bring the community together. “Many records were missing, so I pieced together what I could,” he adds.
One particularly memorable encounter highlights just how fortunate visitors are to cross paths with Tony Harte. An American woman exploring the area happened to meet Tony by chance. An encounter that would lead to an unforgettable experience. She had been tracing her family history back several generations and mentioned a few ancestral names. Tony was able to take her directly to the very spot where her ancestors had lived and even to the grave of her great-great-grandparents, buried in the 1860s. “She couldn’t believe it. That was very special.” Her visit, originally part of a broader tour, turned into a deeply personal journey, thanks to the extraordinary local knowledge and generosity of a man she was lucky enough to bump into.
Messages of thanks from local charities are on display at Coa Hall, expressing their gratitude for the support received.
Tony’s commitment doesn’t end with Coa. In recent years, he has volunteered as a driver with Fermanagh Rural Community Transport, helping older residents attend appointments and community events. “I enjoy the social aspect,” he says, typically modest.
When asked about receiving the Civic Honour Award, Tony is quick to deflect attention: “Receiving the award from the Fermanagh Trust? I feel thoroughly embarrassed. There are so many others deserving of it. It’s always a team effort round here.”
He’s also quick to praise the spirit of volunteering that defines Coa. “Coa is an incredible place for volunteers. You could make a few phone calls and have 30 or 40 people here in no time,” he says. “From the beginning, if you want to get involved or do something in Coa, you’ll be supported. It’s a tight-knit community. People take pride in their place and in helping each other. It’s not just me, there’s a whole team of people who make everything happen.”
Know someone like Tony?
Do you know someone whose long-term volunteerism deserves recognition?
Categories for the Civic Honour Awards include:
- Inspirational Young Person – for those under 30 making a standout impact
- Community Impact & Legacy – for those with 30+ years of service
In light of significant interest in the awards, we encourage all nominations to be submitted by early August.
CLICK HERE or email sonya@fermanaghtrust.org to find out more.