From an article in the Connacht Tribune, 14 November 1975 the plans for the old industrial school in Letterfrack are mentioned “An old industrial school closed down now for over twelve months may become the centre of new hope of people living in the Letterfrack, Leenane, Kylemore, Ballinakill and Tullycross areas of Connemara. Local people plan to turn the school into the headquarters for a co-operative which would set up small industries in the buildings, use it as a community centre and also become involved in agriculture and tourism. The plan has been put forward by the parish of Ballinakill Community Council which is now trying to raise the money to buy the old school buildings. At the moment proposals for development of the school have been sent to people living in the area and local representatives are being contacted to attend a meeting in Letterfrack next week at which the plan will be further considered. The development proposals are seen by the Community Council as a means of tackling the lack of opportunities in the area, fifty miles from Galway City ,which has had an emigration rate of eighty percent at times”.
In a further extract from the Connacht Tribune the follow year on the 10 December 1976 the community plans for the Old Industrial School have developed further with Connemara West Ltd., the economic wing of the Community Council, in the process of acquiring the Letterfrack Industrial School. “What is being widely regarded as a model and inspiration in the sphere of community self-help and a blueprint for development throughout the west is taking dramatic planning shape in Letterfrack, Connemara. It comprises the most ambitious development project yet undertaken anywhere in the country at community level. The scheme has its origins in the establishment of the Tullycross Rent-A-Cottage complex and expanded to Tully and now the Letterfrack Centre for Community Development has become the centerpiece of a major development with important regional and national implications. The promoters are Connemara West Ltd., who while not technically a co-operative are dedicated to the co-operative ideal and operate on these lines. It was incorporated to develop and manage the Rent-A-Cottage Scheme and operates as an economic wing of the local Muintir na Tire Community Council. The company has now acquired the former Letterfrack Industrial School complex for £21,000 and work will begin this month on a Teach Ceoil in Tully village.