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eContact July 2008

Councillor Veronica Cawley Elected Mayor

Councillor Veronica Cawley was elected Mayor at Sligo Borough Council’s AGM on June 23rd. Councillor Cawley is the fifth woman to be elected as Sligo’s ‘First Citizen’ since the 1840’s.

In her in first address as Mayor, Councillor Cawley said her objectives for Sligo is to see the city develop as the key centre for economic growth in the Northwest. The Mayor also intends to focus on environmental issues over the course of her term, and she will be visiting many of our communities to help them with local clean ups and other environmental campaigns.

Councillor Jude Devins Elected Cathaoirleach

Councillor Jude Devins was elected Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council at its Annual General Meeting on 30th June. In his inaugural address, the Cathaoirleach said ‘the Council must set a progressive agenda and actively target new investment and jobs to the region.’

‘The city and county of Sligo have enormous potential, and I feel through the concerted efforts of the people in this Council, and agencies we work with, we can deliver progress and change throughout our county. This Council has an important presence in Ballymote, Enniscrone and Tubbercurry. I feel that if you look at the benefits to the wider community from facilities such as Teach Laighne, there is much we can achieve in investing in our main towns and villages.’

PEACE 111 Summary

‘To reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation.’

Priority 1: Reconciling Communities

Theme1.1 Building positive relations at the local level:

Under this theme the programme will support projects and activities that will facilitate relationships on a crosscommunity and / or cross-border basis to assist in addressing issues of trust, prejudice and intolerance and in accepting comm. The PEACE 111 Programme is a distinctive European Union Structural Funds Programme to assist Northern Ireland and the Border Region and will specifically focus on reconciling communities and contributing towards a shared society.

The Programme will carry forward key aspects of the previous Peace Programmes – (PEACE I and II) and will have a continued and renewed emphasis on reconciliation.

The eligible area for the PEACE 111 Programme 2007 – 2013 is Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland (counties Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal).

Projects must demonstrate the following cross cutting themes:

• Cross border co-operation,
• Equality,
• Sustainable development,
• Impact on poverty and Partnership.

The Peace 111 Programme also identifies specific target beneficiaries and target groups.

County Development Boards through the Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Committee will deliver Priority 1 Theme 1.1 Building Positive Relations at the local level and will develop the local Peace and Reconciliation Action Plan required under this priority.

The inaugural meeting of the Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Committee was held on 4th March, 2008. The Committee which is a sub-group of the Sligo County Development Board comprises representatives from Local Government, Statutory Agencies, Local Development Organisations and Social Partners including the Community and Voluntary Sector. Three places have yet to be filled on the committee.

Ms Rita McNulty, Director of Community and Enterprise, is the Secretary of the Sligo Peace and Reconciliation Partnership Committee.

Border Action and the Community Relations Council have been contracted by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to assist in the delivery of Priority 1: Reconciling Communities.

Development of Sligo Peace and Reconciliation Action Plan

The Action Plan will become the framework for the implementation of activities that focus on reconciliation, cultural diversity and equality. The Action Plan aims to challenge attitudes towards sectarianism and racism and to support conflict resolution and mediation at the local level. Involvement of the Partnership Committee and their organisations is essential in the development and implementation of the Action Plan.

To develop the Action Plan, public consultations were held from 1st – 3rd April, 2008 in Enniscrone, Tubbercurry and Sligo. The consultations sought to engage as wide a range of public, private and community and voluntary organisations as possible and elicit their views on issues in Sligo in relation to reconciliation, sectarianism, racism, conflict resolution and mediation.

Written submissions were also encouraged by means of a Consultation Paper. A number of consultations have also been held with members of the Partnership Committee.

The draft Action Plan was submitted to SEUPB (the Managing Authority) for approval on 12th May, 2008. A copy of the draft Action Plan is available on the Sligo County Council website. Comments on the plan may be submitted by e-mail to peaceactionplan@sligococo.ie or in writing to Rita McNulty, Community and Enterprise, Sligo County Council, Development Centre, Cleveragh Road, Sligo.

Further information is available from:

Telephone: 071 9111800
Fax: 071 9171860
Email: rmcnulty@sligococo.ie

Telephone: 0800 027 3872
Fax: 028 9026 6661
Email: info@seupb.org

New Contacts for Housing Maintenance Repairs - 071 9111324

As part of its endeavour to streamline the delivery of the housing service, Sligo County Council is to provide a dedicated telephone number and e-mail contact for Housing Maintenance Requests. These two modes of communication will be the only method in which a valid maintenance request can be accepted.

Each tenant, on the signing of his/her tenancy agreement, assumes responsibility for repairs of a non-structural nature and also all damage to the dwelling not caused by normal wear and tear. The Council will carry out other specified repairs, for tenants whose rent is up to date. A clear division of repair responsibility between the Council and its tenants has been defined in the Tenants Charter for Housing and is outlined in the Tenants Handbook.

A copy of the Tenant’s Handbook can be obtained from the Housing Department at County Hall, Riverside, Sligo and is also available online.

To report a maintenance request, please use the following contacts - 071 9111324 or maintenancerequests@sligococo.ie

Blue Flag for Mullaghmore, Green Coast Award for Dunmoran and Streedagh

Sligo County Council has been notified by An Taisce that Mullaghmore Beach has retained its ‘Blue Flag’ status. However as Rosses Point and Enniscrone did not meet the stringent EU ‘guide’ criteria for water quality in 2007, they were not awarded the Blue Flag for the current bathing season.

While the Council is disappointed that two of our most popular resorts were not successful, the very high compliance rates achieved for Enniscrone and Rosses Point gives strong encouragement that the Blue Flag standard can be regained next year.

Blue Flags are awarded based on 29 criteria which must be met during the previous bathing season. These include bathing water quality, beach management, environmental education, and life guard service. The high standards achieved at Rosses Point and Enniscrone were marginally outside the stringent water quality criteria set by the Blue Flag Scheme.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley notes that the failure to achieve the Blue Flag standard was due in some instances ‘to the heavy rainfall which we experienced last year’. Sligo County Council’s Monitoring Programme indicates that this was the case in relation to Sligo’s beaches.

It should be noted that the bathing waters at our designated beaches of Enniscrone, Mullaghmore and Rosses Point were and continue to be fully compliant with mandatory EU bathing water standards, i.e. all three beaches have satisfactory water quality and are safe for bathing.

Sligo County Council welcomes the announcement by An Taisce that Dunmoran Strand and Streedagh Beach have earned the ‘Green Coast’ Award for 2008. This is a new national award scheme devised for rural beaches, and to be eligible for this award the bathing waters must comply with the stringent guide values set by the Bathing Water regulations, and a management plan must be in place for each beach.

Sligo County Council will continue to work towards achieving the highest environmental standards at all our beach during the 2008 bath bathing season.

RAPID Programme puts Plans into Action

RAPID is a Government programme, designed to improve services and quality of life in certain urban areas around the country. It was put in place in 46 locations in Ireland to bring State agencies and communities together at local level to decide how existing budgets and energy can be put to better use in specially designated areas.

The RAPID Co-ordinator, Pamela Andison, works with an Area Implementation Team (AIT) to look together at the needs in the various estates of Sligo Town, to decide which issues are the most urgent and put together a plan of actions to tackle them.

The agencies represented on the team include Sligo County Council, Sligo Borough Council, the Garda Siochana, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Health Service Executive, the VEC, FAS and Sligo LEADER Partnership Co. There are three Community Reps on the AIT who are residents of RAPID areas and bring the community’s agenda forward to meetings.

Since February 2008, the Sligo RAPID AIT has been working towards the submission of three Strategic Plans for the themes of Health, Family Support and Community Safety and Anti-Social Behaviour. For each theme, a sub-group was established, bringing together relevant State Agencies and community representatives who were asked to identify the gaps and deficiencies in services for RAPID areas and the solutions to these problems. Each sub-group was led by the most relevant State agency. Much discussion and deliberation later – the groups have produced comprehensive Action Plans which will attempt to tackle the main problems by new investment, better service delivery or service integration. The Action Plans are now being analyzed by the respective Government Departments – Department of Health and Children, Department of Social and Family Affairs and Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with a view to being approved and funding released where appropriate.

Examples of the types of initiative that have been suggested in the Action Plans are:

HEALTH THEME

• Development of a Community Rehabilitation and Detoxification Programme for misuse of drugs and alcohol (non-residential).
• Promote the integration of children and young people with 9
• Development of a social club for older people in Merville Community Centre. This was identified due to the bisecting effect that the Inner Relief Road is having between the West Ward and Town Centre and the difficulty that older people have in crossing the road safely.

FAMILY SUPPORT THEME

• Development of a Handyman (or Woman!) Service to provide a low cost, small repairs and maintenance service for older people, vulnerable families and persons with a disability in RAPID areas of Sligo.
• Develop a programme of courses in personal development, parenting, capacity-building and home management for families. The aim is to build family support and resilience in RAPID areas – better ways of coping with problems in the home.

COMMUNITY SAFETY AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR THEME

• Provision of Garda Community Minibus for use by youth, older people and community groups in RAPID areas.
• Support the work of Sligo Borough Council to ensure tenancy enforcement and sustainment in RAPID areas.
• Raise awareness and provide alternative options to reduce illegal money-lending in RAPID areas.
• Look at the need for physical improvements in estates which impact on community safety e.g. access to alleyways, better lighting, etc.

The establishment of the remaining four Strategic Themes is due to commence in a few months with more projects and actions being identified for the topics of Youth Support, Physical Environment, Education and Training and Employment.

RAPID Programme Office is located in Community and Enterprise Section, Development Centre, Cleveragh Road.

Telephone 071 9111805,

Email pandison@sligococo.ie

Cathaoirleach presents Community Heritage Grant Awards 2008

COMMUNITY HERITAGE GRANT AWARDS PRESENTED

The Council Chamber at County Hall, Riverside hosted a large gathering on Wednesday last, May 21st 2008. The Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Seamus Kilgannon, together with the County Sligo Heritage Office hosted the annual County Sligo Community Heritage Awards. This year, 18 groups of dedicated and committed people who devote their time and energies to preserving the heritage in their local areas and communities are to benefit under the scheme.

- Cathaoirleach, Sligo County Council, Cllr. Seamus Kilgannon, Community Heritage Group members and Heritage Office Staff 

Councillor Kilgannon said that ‘he was privileged to honour these exceptional people who, through their passion and dedication, promote and preserve all aspects of the county’s heritage’. He welcomed the opportunity to recognise and support the huge contribution of groups and communities throughout County Sligo in promoting and caring for their heritage within their own communities. He went on to say that ‘Sligo County Council recognises that local communities are the custodians of our shared heritage and the Community Heritage Grants Programme supports communities in playing a very significant role in protecting Sligo’s unique heritage’. ‘Everyone benefits from this priceless work’, he said, ‘and the rich variety of the projects funded under this year’s grant scheme reveals the great work being done at local level’.

The depth of heritage knowledge within local communities is brought to light through the nature of the projects undertaken. The groups benefiting under the scheme in 2008 are; Kilverneen/Clooneen Rd., Bog Restoration Group, Cloonacool who are carrying out a project to provide heritage information signs. Sligo Field Club will host a seminar on aspects of the conversion of old buildings to museums and the care and conservation of museum objects.

The County Sligo Milestone Preservation Committee, Ballymote are to carry out a survey to record the milestones of Sligo. Grange Crochet Workers Group will continue to deliver classes and workshops teaching the art of crochet and raising the awareness of the tradition in North Sligo. The ‘Belt Torc’ Group, Moylough are gathering information and images documenting past schools, teachers and methodologies in the Moylough area. Ballintogher Tidy Towns are publishing a book entitled ‘Ballintogher and Surroundings’ on the history, archaeology and folklore of the local area. Ballymote Community Enterprise propose to work on the restoration of the Cornmill at Ballymote and to research a display of relevant artifacts and O’Hara’s carriages which are of significant relevance to the Ballymote area. Birdwatch Ireland (Sligo branch) are compiling details of popular and significant bird watching sites around County Sligo, resulting in the publication a colour guide.

Collooney Tidy Towns are concentrating on raising awareness of the local heritage through providing a public information board and encouraging walking and cycling around the Collooney area. Kilvarnet Cemetery Care Committee intend to erect information boards which map the gravestones within the cemetery and provide a brief history of Kilvarnet Church, its ruins which are still visible.

The O’Dowda Castle Project in Enniscrone will see the castle being made accessible for tourists and locals alike. Banada Development Agency are cataloging and restoring the old roll books of Banada Orphanage. The past pupils from 1864 to 2000 will be recorded, and the records made available to all interested parties, particularly the relatives of past residents. Calry Development Agency plan to erect information signs at Deerpark and the ‘Giants Grave’ and at the old Graveyard at Colgagh.

Enniscrone Tourist and Craft Shop will be constructing special cabinets to house existing local artifacts which are of historical interest to locals and visitors to the area. Ballymote Heritage Group will use the grant funding towards the hosting of the annual ‘Ballymote Heritage Week’. Easkey Heritage and Genealogy Society are publishing a book titled, ‘4 men from Easkey Parish’, which details the history of four local men, and the effects of the choices they made, both on themselves and their families. Forthill Community History, Heritage, Art and Men’s Group are compiling a publication containing photographs, details of local history, pastimes, traditions and folklore relating to the Forthill Area. Enniscrone and District Community Development Ltd will produce an information sign relating to the ‘Black Pig’ and associated local heritage sites and folklore.

The Cathaoirleach concluded by expressing his pleasure at being associated with this worthwhile initiative and welcomed the opportunity to commend and celebrate the work of the various committees and groups who, through their efforts, allow the people of Sligo to share an affinity and pride in the unique and diverse heritage of County Sligo.

County Sligo Heritage Office
Telephone:  071 91 11226/91 11255
Email:  heritage@sligococo.ie

Environmental Puppet Show and Workshop

As part of the Sligo County Council - Schools Environmental Education Programme, primary schools in North Sligo have been focusing on nature, rubbish and recycling through an environmental puppet show and workshop. The workshops were targeted towards ages 4-9 year olds and feature Mr. Rat and Mr. Squirrel who are in the recycling business. Mr Rat is in it for the cash but Mr Squirrel likes to look after the environment. One fine day, they find an illegal dump and have a dilemma to solve!

- Mr Rat - Part of Sligo Local Authorities Environmental Education Programme

After the show a puppet-making workshop was held making puppets out of recycled card and the children will also learned a recycling song. Speaking on the workshops the Environment Awareness Officer, Fiona Kelly, said “Puppets are a fun way to approach topical issues, like care and protection for the environment, with young children. We have received very positive feedback from schools that participated in the workshops as it also supports their Green Schools activities”.

Danielle Roelofsen, the workshop facilitator believes that music, drama and art can give children exciting ways to explore and develop themselves and interact with the world around them.

The workshops were funded by Local Agenda 21 – Environment Partnership Fund, which promotes Environmental Awareness and Education.

For further information contact the Environment Information Office at 071 9111908

New Parking Arrangements Introduced by Sligo Borough Council

Sligo Borough Council has adopted Car Park Bye Laws which will see the introduction of new parking arrangements around Sligo city this month. One measure which will be welcomed in particular by motorists is the reduction of the minimum parking period from one hour to twenty minutes, which will see a corresponding reduction in the minimum parking charge to forty cents. The new arrangements will come into force on Monday 14th July.

Other changes included in the new bye-laws are new powers to deal with vehicles illegally parked in disabled parking bays, bus bays and casual trading areas during hours of trading. Sligo Borough Council is now empowered to remove these vehicles are recover the cost from the owners. Members of the public will able to use phone number at disabled bays to report instances illegally parked vehicles.

All on street parking areas will offer a twenty minute parking facility with the exception of Pearse Road (from junction with Pilkington Tce to Mail Coach Road), Churchill (Showgrounds inset), The Mall (between Calry Lane and River lane), and Finisklin Road (from Michael Conlon Road to boundary of meter parking area).

A spokesperson for Sligo Borough Council says they anticipate that the new arrangements ‘will further improve the management of traffic flow in Sligo. The introduction of the parking meter facility last year has been very well received, and the implementation of the measures in the new bye-laws will ensure motorists who
park illegally will be dealt with promptly.’

Water Safety

Sligo Local Authorities water safety function is concerned with the prevention of loss of life through drowning in County Sligo.  The service is managed by the Council’s Water Safety Officer, Ms. Eithne Garvin.

County Sligo has an Atlantic coastline of almost 200km with a range of beautiful sandy beaches, low lying cliffs and indented shorelines. The County is also characterised by numerous picturesque lakes (Loughs Arrow, Easky, Gara, Glencar, Gill and Talt) and many rivers.

The Council provides and maintains lifebelts and rescue ropes at various locations in the county. These are made available so that members of the public will be in a position to effect a non-contact rescue of a person in difficulty in the water. It is regrettable, however, that lifebelts are frequently used as toys or vandalised, resulting in damage or loss of the equipment, and sadly in some cases, loss of life. In 2006, statistics show that there were 160 drownings nationally.

The Council welcomes information regarding missing, damaged or defective lifebelts, which can be reported to the Water Safety Officer on 087 - 2742864 or the Customer Services Desk, Sligo County Council on 071 - 9111111.

Sligo County Council employs seasonal lifeguards at 5 beaches, namely Enniscrone, Mullaghmore, Rosses Point, Streedagh and Dunmoran. Lifeguards are responsible for implementing the Irish Water Safety Association guidelines on these beaches and also enforcing the Council’s beach bye-laws.

Lifeguard Information

Four of our beaches, Enniscrone, Mullaghmore, Rosses Point and Streedagh are supervised by lifeguards for the months of June, July and August. However, only weekend cover is provided in the month of June from 11.00am until 7300pm. In July and August cover is provided from 11.00am until 7.00pm seven days a week, Monday through to Sunday.

Dunmoran beach is not supervised by a lifeguard service for the month of June. In July and August cover is only provided by a lifeguard service for weekends and bank holidays from 11.00am until 7.00pm.Beach Wardens Beach Wardens are employed at Strandhill and Enniscrone beaches the months of June, July and August. However only weekend cover is provided in the month of June from 11:00am to 7:00pm. In July and August cover is provided from 11:00am until 7:00pm seven days a week Monday through to Sunday.

Strandhill

In the case of Strandhill beach, the primary role of the Beach Warden is to ensure that no member of the public enters the water. There is no swimming permitted on this beach at any time due to dangerous tidal currents. Signs to this effect are erected and the no swimming ban is also enforced by the Wardens through the Beach Bye-laws. All other aspects of the Bye-laws are also enforced by the Beach Wardens.

Wardens are also employed on Enniscrone beach. Their primary role is to enforce the beach bye-laws and control parking on the beach.

For your information , copies of Sligo County Council’s Beach Byelaws can be obtained from the following website link: www.sligococo.ie/Services/Environment/Downloads

Irish Water Safety Association

Sligo County Council contributes financially to the Irish Water Safety Association, which is the statutory body having overall responsibility for water safety in Ireland. You may view their web-site at www.iws.ie for all information on water safety in Ireland.

For your information, Irish Water Safety and Rescue Classes are due to be held on the week of 20th to 25th of July at Aughris Harbour. Also, Irish Water Safety Week takes place between the 3rd and 8th of August at the Pier in Enniscrone. Further details can be obtained from our Customer Services desk on 071 - 9111111.

Kempten pensioners cycle 2,500 kilometres in aid of North West Hospice

What would be an outstanding feat by any competitive cyclist - but when it was completed by two pensioners in their seventies it is even more remarkable - Horst and Linde Alstetter, the intrepid and fit pensioners from Sligo's twin town Kempten in Germany arrived in Sligo on Saturday afternoon last to a tumultuous reception at Sligo City Hall.

- Kempton Cyclists, Horst and Linde Alstetter and the Innisfree Wheelers Touring Club are greeted at City Hall

The couple who left Kempten in southern Germany on April 29th on their mountain bikes, with no support vehicle or crew, were welcomed on their arrival by the Mayor of Sligo, Cllr. Jonathan McGoldrick, Borough Council officials, Town Clerk Mr. John McNabola, members of Sligo Town Twinning and members of North West Hospice including the Chairman John Watters.

After their marathon cycle around Lake Constance in Bavaria, they followed the river Rhine through Germany, through Holland before taking a ferry to England, from where they cycled through southern England and Wales arriving in Rosslare Tuesday of last week. On arriving in Ireland en route to Sligo, the intrepid couple, had overnight stops in New Ross, Kinnity, Co.Offaly, Fenagh (Leitrim) where they stayed on Friday night, before heading to Dromahair on Saturday morning to rendevouz with a group of 30 cyclists from the local Innisfree Wheelers Touring club who accompanied the duo on the final 20kms to Sligo City Hall.

Horst and Linde, who cycled on average of 120 kms per day on their 3 weeks journey, presented Mayor McGoldrick with a souvenir block of Kempten cheese given to them by the Mayor of Kempten Dr. Netzer prior to their departure from Kempten City Hall.

The marathon cycle was facilitated by Sligo Town Twinning and Brian Cahill from Moylough, Tubbercurry who is a long time friend of the German couple. Linde and Horst wish to thank Sligo people for their generosity and sponsorship, which, when all monies are collected will be donated to the North West Hospice.

Garbage to Gorgeous - Winners Announced!

The winners of the highly successful recycling awareness competition entitled Garbage to Gorgeous were announced on Saturday, 24th May in the Johnston Court Shopping Centre.

 
- First Place Design by Sinead Savage        - Second Place Design by Rebecca Marsden


- Third Place Bracelet Design by Min Hu Jung

The Garbage to Gorgeous competition, was one of the many anti-litter awareness initiatives being supported by Sligo Local Authorities as part of the National Spring Clean Campaign during April. The competition invited young adults to design and create a unique fashion item or accessory using only recycled goods!

Speaking on the initiative, the Environment Awareness Officer Fiona Kelly, said, “The Garbage to Gorgeous competition received a massive response from students and young people in Sligo. The competition was particularly geared towards students to increase awareness and educate further on the importance of being green as well as encouraging people to think creatively about waste consumption, recycling and the environment and I think we have achieved this! The standard of entries that were received were very high and we really enjoyed being part of this campaign”.

The winning entrant, Sinead Savage from Ballisodare created a stunning wedding dress using a selection of material, plastic and some rope and was awarded €1,000 for first prize.

Second place went to Rebecca Marsden, from Tully, Clogherevagh for her "Girls on Film" dress, an incredible piece of work using just black plastic bin liners formed into loops, double sided sticky tape and big velcro buttons! Rebecca won a €500 shopping spree! And, third place position went to Min Hu Jung, from Sligo for his beautiful bracelet, put together using mesh wiring from an old shirt collar, old paper, party streamers, beads from an old necklace and some thread! Min Hu won a €200 shopping spree.

Special mentions went to Amy O'Hara, from Ballintogher, for her green hat, made from strips of polypropylene, an old head scarf and some dried daffodils. Lorna Kavanagh for her Cake Dress made from grease proof paper and foil trim and shoes made from cellotape and cling film with bubble wrap flowers!

Nine year old Nicole Conway from Ballintogher, also received a special mention for her wonderful bag and mobile phone creation and clever use of foil paper, pins, crisp packets, old paper and a flower pot, as did Fiona Kane for her “Lost Socks” dress!

The finalists displayed their creative genius using live mannequins who thoroughly entertained the Saturday shoppers! We were thrilled to see such an incredible response to the campaign and to see the great lengths and efforts our customers went to. I think we have succeeded in encouraging more creative thinking when it comes to waste and what we consider to be waste!”, commented Nessa O’Brien, Johnston Court Centre Marketing.

For all information on upcoming environment awareness events contact:

Telephone: 071 9111908
Fax: 071 9111924
Email: enviro@sligococo.ie

Heritage Council Calls on Everyone to Take Part in Heritage Week

Almost 1000 Events including Bat Walks at Dusk, Storytelling, Music, Guided Walks and Free Entry to Historic Sites.

Almost 1000 events, mostly free of charge, will take place across the country as part of Heritage Week from 25th August until 2nd September. Events will take place in every county and on every day of the week.

There’s a huge range of activities on offer catering for everyone including; wildlife walks, music, storytelling, traditional craft master classes, food events, open days at historic houses which are not normally open to the public, nighttime bat walks, historical re-enactments, guided local history tours and lectures. Special events will be taking place at OPW Heritage sites, museums, libraries and National Parks with free admission at most.

As part of the week 26th August has been designated ‘Walled Towns Heritage Day’ with events taking place in 22 walled towns around the country and 1st September is Water Heritage Day with special events taking place to highlight the recreational aspects of our canals and inland waterways. Many stately homes are offering free or reduced price admission and the doors of houses not normally open to the public in Merrion Square will be opened for a special ‘Open Day’ on 1st
September.

Full details and a search facility for events is available on www.heritageweek.ie. An events listing is available from local libraries, tourist offices and local authority Heritage Offices. This year’s colourful campaign aims to reach new audiences with the message – Look Forward, Look Back, Look Around.

“We hope everyone will have a chance to enjoy the wealth of events on offer”, said Isabell Smyth, from the Heritage Council. “Heritage Week is growing in popularity every year due in large part to the commitment of so many local groups in programming events in their communities. The message this year to look forward, look back and look around is to highlight the presence of heritage in our daily lives. Heritage is also a link that connects the past, present and future. There’s a wonderful range of events, and lots of surprises. We’re inviting people to come out, have fun and discover something new.

Acknowledging the growing concern for the preservation of Ireland’s heritage, Michael Starrett, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council said . “The increasing number of people organising events to raise awareness of heritage issues shows a growing commitment to protecting heritage at a local level, along with a greater sense of ownership.

Heritage Week is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union, which has been organised for the past fifteen years to celebrate the unity and diversity of Europe’s heritage. In Ireland, Heritage Week is co-ordinated by the Heritage Council and funded by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Further information about events is available on www.heritageweek.ie, from local authority heritage officers or by calling Callsave 1850 200878. A full listing of events is also available from local libraries, tourist offices and local authorities.

For further information contact: Breda Keena 087 6483134

Architectural Heritage of County Sligo Launched

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Michael Finneran joined Mayor Councillor Veronica Cawley and Cathaoirleach Councillor Jude Devins for the launch of the ‘Architectural Heritage of County Sligo’ at County Hall.

 
- Back L/R-Cllr. Gerry Murray, Cllr. John Sherlock, Cllr. Declan Bree, Cllr. Gerard Mullaney, Cllr. Seamus Kilgannon, Cllr. Paul Conmy, Cllr. Michael Flemming, Cllr. Albert Higgins and Cllr. Patsy Barry. Front L/R-Willie Cumming, Senior Architect, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Jude Devins, Minister Michael Finneran, Mayor Cllr. Veronica Cawley and County Manager Hubert Kearns