Latest news with #DepartmentofRuralandCommunityDevelopment
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
'Habitual vandalism' threatening to spoil €1m project in New Ross town centre
Despite funding of almost €1m going towards its rejuvenation Brennan's Lane in New Ross continues to be a centre for anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Commencing in 2024, the laneway underwent a comprehensive refurbishment to enhance safety, accessibility, and vibrancy. The project was funded by a €500,000 grant from the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and was further supported by match funding from Wexford County Council, with the backing of the elected members, bringing the total investment to €891,000. However, at the June meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) Councillor Michael Sheehan said there were some who cared little for the new facilities. 'I want to condemn the anti-social behaviour and vandalism at Brennan's Lane, this has become a habitual issue now,' he said. 'The neighbouring businesses have to go down and take the plants off the roof every evening, because they've been ripped out of it several times. Having spent the amount of money that we did there this is disgraceful behaviour.' Cllr Sheehan received support from Cllr John Fleming who urged the district office to ensure the area was kept in good condition.
Irish Independent
14-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Nature Trail: 'If you Love This Place, Leave No Trace'
Furthermore, there is significant medical evidence that spending time out-of-doors is good for both your mental and physical health: it boosts vitamin D production, reduces stress and fatigue, promotes better sleep, and is the best free medicine available. However, there are downsides to more people spending more time outdoors; it can lead to an increase in traffic, litter, noise, water pollution, disturbance to vegetation, wildlife, livestock and other people. Leave No Trace Ireland is a not-for-profit organisation committed to promoting responsible outdoor recreation through education, research, and partnerships. Its principles are widely adopted across Ireland's outdoor, tourism, and conservation sectors. Recently, the organisation launched its Love This Place 2025 campaign to protect Ireland's outdoors and called on all of us to come together to protect our rich natural landscapes, so we can all enjoy them responsibly as we head into the summer season. Now in its fifth year, the national awareness campaign is supported by partners including the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, the Office of Public Works, Coillte, Sport Ireland, Waterways Ireland, and several Local Authorities all dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship. With more people than ever seeking connection with nature - through hiking, swimming, dog-walking and exploring - this year's 'Love This Place' campaign reinforces the simple message: 'If you love this place, leave no trace.' If you are in wild places the advice is to stick to marked trails and stay on paths to avoid damaging habitats or disturbing animals, both seen and unseen. Bring all litter home, don't feed wild animals, and watch wildlife from a safe distance. Dog owners are asked to be responsible with their pets: keep them on a lead, especially around farm animals and wildlife, and always clean up after them.
Irish Independent
31-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Good news for Cork book lovers in three key towns as library open hours expand to year-round service
The My Open Library service enables registered users to access a library from 8 am to 10 pm, 365 days a year, even when it's not staffed. The service was already available at Bandon and Fermoy libraries and Cork County Council has now rolled it out to three more locations with plans to add Mallow later in the year. Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and Cork County Council, the My Open Library installation at Carrigaline, Kinsale, and Mallow Libraries has generated a 145% increase in the number of available service hours to the community at each location, rising from 40 hours to 98 hours per week. Speaking at the launch, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities and with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, said: 'It is fantastic to see that the service is currently available in 23 of our 30 library authorities and I must praise our library authorities and library staff for being so progressive in meeting the needs of their communities. Our public libraries are a home-from-home for our elderly, our young people, and our new communities and now they will be able to avail of those services every day of the year, from morning till night.' Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell, said: "The expansion is a strategic ambition for Cork County Council's Library & Arts Service which aims to improve access, use and visibility of the library as a community hub, and as a focal point for community and cultural development. The success of My Open Library is in the flexibility that it offers communities to visit their local library at a time that works for them. More than 50,000 visits have been made to Bandon and Fermoy libraries outside of regular library opening hours since 2022 with increased usage by students, remote workers, families, older adults and community groups.' The launch of the My Open Library service coincided with the opening of the newly refurbished Carrigaline Library. The upgrades include a young adult zone with relaxed seating, a remodelled children's area with more books and children's worktables for homework, crafts and games, and comfortable seating in the windows for reading and watching the world go by. The multifunction community meeting room can be booked for use during the day and in the evening during My Open Library hours. Bike racks have also been installed outside to facilitate sustainable travel. 'Libraries are at the heart of our towns and villages, providing so much more than books,' Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll said, adding: 'They are community hubs and safe spaces to study, learn and work. The newly refurbished Carrigaline Library is a bright, welcoming, modern, high-tech space that has a place for everyone." Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Number of community projects in Leitrim officially opened during Minister visit
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, Minister Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural Community Development visited a number of locations throughout County Leitrim, to perform official openings, a sod turning and visit a number of other projects funded by his Department in recent years. As part of his visit to the County, Minister Calleary, performed the official opening of a number of projects, notably; the Mohill Public Realm works; The Market Yard in Carrick on Shannon; The Leitrim Village Diversity and Inclusion Project, including astro turf pitch, community gym, street furniture and bus shelter, Drumshanbo Mayflower Community Centre - Basketball and Volleyball Facilities and Drumshanbo Athletic Club Training facilities before concluding his visit by carrying out the official opening of the new state of the art Dromahair Library. Welcoming Minister Calleary to the County Cathaoirleach Cllr Paddy O'Rourke, said the funding allocated to Leitrim by the Department of Rural and Community Development has been instrumental in improving the infrastructure and facilities in this county. "It is our pleasure to have Minister Calleary in County Leitrim so that he can see, first hand, how the funding allocated to a rural county such as Leitrim can make such a significant difference to the people who live in our communities. "I hope that the Minister and his Department will continue to support projects in County Leitrim, similar in nature to those we have seen today, for many more years to come,' said Cllr O'Rourke. Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council, Mr Joseph Gilhooly welcomed Minister Calleary to the County by stating the funding awarded by the Department of Rural and Community Development has been of significant importance to this county. "It has enabled Leitrim County Council to work in close collaboration with communities right across the county to develop and enhance the public realm in a number of our towns, enhance amenities and facilities that will add vibrancy to Leitrim and enable innovative, sustainable and responsive solutions for all our people and communities, making Leitrim the best place to live, work, do business, and visit,' said Mr Gilhooly. While in Drumshanbo, Minister Calleary also performed the official sod turning for the Development of a recreational trail along a disused Narrow-Gauge Railway. Over the past five years, through projects lead by Leitrim County Council, the county has received funding of over €40 million through funding streams run by the Department of Rural and Community Development such as Community Recognition Fund, Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Clár, Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme and Town & Village Renewal. This funding has been of paramount importance in developing and enhancing the public realm and providing amenities and community facilities across Leitrim. On what was a busy day in Leitrim for Minister Calleary, while in the county he also viewed projects funded by his Department that are currently in under way such as Mohill Station House, Carrick On Shannon Business Campus, Carrick on Shannon Tennis Club, Shannonside Regional Sports Campus, The Exchange Regeneration Project in Drumshanbo, The Food Innovation Hub in Drumshanbo, Car Park and viewing area in Drumkeeran.
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Kerry initiative lends support to festival encouraging neighbours to come together and eat
Healthy Kerry, a council programme, was recently announced as one of the partners of the fifteenth edition of Street Feast, a nationwide celebration encouraging neighbours to come together for cups of tea, park picnics and street parties to build community. The Kerry organisation is funding packs for communities to hold playful games and activities at their Street Feast gatherings. Almost 75,000 took part in the celebration last year, with 96pc of participants reporting that their sense of belonging has increased since the event. Deirdre Hegarty, Healthy Kerry co-ordinator, said that partnering with Street Feast was an excellent fit for her organisation as the initiative offers an opportunity to create a sense of community that lasts far beyond a single afternoon. 'It's a chance to meet the people living right next door, to celebrate diversity, and to spark the kind of neighbourly relationships that make our towns and villages thrive,' Ms Hegarty said. 'This year, Healthy Kerry are funding play packs to support communities to include playful games and activities as part of their Street Feast events. 'We are proud to support this brilliant initiative and look forward to seeing colourful, creative, and joyful Street Feasts popping up across County Kerry.' Street Feast is also supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, local authorities, Dr Oetker Ireland and other partners. Street Feast founder Sam Bishop said every year, thousands of neighbours pass each other by without ever saying hello and this festival aims to change that. 'By hosting a Street Feast, you can help make your neighbourhood a happier, healthier and more connected place,' Mr Bishop said. Those interested in getting involved in Street Feast can register to host a gathering and receive a free party pack, complete with bunting, stickers, invites, posters and a DIY guide, at
