The community in Laharn has become the latest in north Cork to benefit from a free, high-speed internet service under the auspices of the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Broadband Connection Point (BCP) recently went live at the local Heritage Centre, providing 150Mb, high-speed, high-quality broadband access to the local community.
Under the plan, National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company charged with it implementation, has pledged to provide 96-per-cent coverage across the country. However, it will be a number of years before the plan is fully rolled out.
In the meantime, in advance of the 'fibre-to-home' roll-out, BCPs are being established in approximately 24 so-called 'intervention areas' around Cork county that have poor existing internet coverage, and this will provide high-speed public connectivity to local communities over the first year of the plan.
The locations of these are being chosen by local authorities and will be placed in community halls, libraries, sports facilities, enterprise hubs, tourist locations and other public spaces.
Other BCP locations in north Cork include Aghabullogue, Aubane, Ballydaly, Courtbrack, Glash and Whitechurch.
An NBI spokesperson said they recognised that reliable, high-speed broadband was essential for rural businesses to connect and for other benefits such as e-learning and digital tourism.
"This is why, in our first year, we will bring connectivity to local communities by working with assigned facilities with public access, while the roll-out to homes and businesses progresses," they said.
"This will enable people living in the area to go to the selected location and access broadband for daily use including remote working, general access and even keeping in touch with family and friends abroad through video calling."
One of the key attractions of the Laharn Heritage Centre BCP is that people will be able to avail of free, high-speed broadband from its car park, to upload or download files and documents.
People can also avail of its newly refurbished office space, 'hot-desk', from one of its dedicated open-plan works spaces; access a printing service and use it for educational purposes.
Sheila Crowley, secretary of the Laharn Community Action CLG, said the addition of the BCP was a great boost for the local community.
"I live just a few hundred metres away from the Centre, and the speed of the broadband here is 20 times faster than I have myself at home. This is excellent for the area and I want to welcome anyone who wishes to use it," said Sheila.
Cllr Tony O'Shea (FG) , who is also a member of the Laharn CLG, said many locals have been left frustrated by the lack of a reliable high-speed internet service.
"Be that a college student who wants to do their online exams to the person who wants to do an online conference call," he said.
"The BCP facility at Laharn Heritage Centre can now offer you these types of services within your own community," he said.
Anyone wishing to use these facilities at the Laharn centre can get in contact at (086) 890 3154.