Minister Kevin "Boxer" Moran, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with responsibility for the Office of Public Works visited Sligo on Monday 15 September.
Minister Kevin "Boxer" Moran visit to Sligo
Front Row Left-Right; Minister Marian Harkin, Chief Executive of Sligo County Council Martin Lydon, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Dónal Gilroy, Minister Kevin “Boxer” Moran, Deputy Frank Feighan
Middle Row Left-Right; Cllr Thomas Healy, Jim Casey Head of Flood Risk Management, Office of Public Works, Cllr Tom MacSharry, Cllr Joe Queenan, Cllr Gerry Mullaney, Cllr Edel McSharry, Cllr Thomas Walsh, Cllr Marie Casserly, Senator Nessa Cosgrove
Back Row Left-Right; Director of Services Emer Concannon, Cllr Michael Clarke, Director of Services Marie Whelan, Cllr Fergal Nealon
He had a productive meeting at County Hall with the CE, Executive and staff members of Sligo County Council who are involved in flood risk and coastal erosion management.
Accompanied on his visit by Minister Marian Harkin, the Minister also met with Elected Members of Sligo County Council. They highlighted to Minister Moran, amongst other issues, the impact of coastal erosion on Strandhill, the need for an upgrade to carpark facilities at Carrowmore and the lack of access to Inishmurray Island.
Following his meetings at the Council offices, the Minister visited Strandhill to witness firsthand the effects of coastal erosion on the area. Minister Moran then made the journey to Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery Visitor’s Centre, to view the recent renovations and interpretive upgrades carried out by the OPW, which have transformed the visitor experience and strengthened Carrowmore’s candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Welcoming Minister Moran to Sligo, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Cllr Dónal Gilroy remarked that his visit “touches on two vital areas of concern and opportunity for our county: the growing challenges of coastal erosion and flood risk, and the preservation and enhancement of our rich cultural heritage”. He added that the Minster’s in travelling to Strandhill and Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery “reflected a commitment and a shared vision between Sligo County Council and the Minister’s office: to protect what is precious, to prepare for what is coming, and to promote what makes Sligo truly special”.
Left-Right; Cllr Tom MacSharry, Minister Marian Harkin, Minister Kevin “Boxer” Moran, Cathaoirleach Cllr Dónal Gilroy, Chief Executive of Sligo County Council Martin Lydon