We are working to rebuild Gralton’s Hall in Effrinagh, Drumsna, near Carrick on Shannon in County Leitrim.

The hall, built in 1921 by Jimmy Gralton on his own land with the help of the local community, stood as a place of music, dance, learning, debate and community gathering. But the church and local priests did not agree with Jimmy and the socialising in the hall, telling the people from the pulpit that something evil was brewing in Gralton’s Hall. The hall was attacked on several occasions and burnt down in 1932. Following this, Gralton, despite being born in Ireland, was arrested and forcibly removed from his own country - the only Irishman ever deported by the Irish Free State.

Following in the footsteps of Jimmy Gralton and what he stood for, our aim is to rebuild the hall on the original site. A hall for music, song, dance, dreamers, free thinkers and community. A hall for all!

To do this, we need people. We are asking for support in every form: donations, skills, time, materials, stories and solidarity. By coming together, we can rebuild Gralton’s Hall together, for each other.

But this is more than just rebuilding the hall. It’s about righting a wrong - honouring Jimmy Gralton, acknowledging what was lost to this community, and bringing back a place that should never have been taken away.