IRD Duhallow Progress Jun 21/22.qxp_Layout 1 21/07/2022 12:54 Page 47
IRD DUHALLOW | PROGRESS REPORT
2020 - 2021
Rural Social Scheme throughout Duhallow the spirit of volunteerism and the ongoing development of villages and towns. We very much embrace the opportunity to support these projects, if you would like assistance, please contact us by email outlining the work needed.
Left: RSS participant Bridget Keating helped organise donations at the Ukrainian Donation hub in JOK Institute Newmarket. Right: Supervisor Colm O’Connor and John O’Flynn delivered donations to the Ukrainians in Millstreet and Banteer.
Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) With the support of IRD Duhallow, Kiskeam Development Association secured ORIS funding to expand the phase two of the Kiskeam Loopwalk. Phase one previously received funding in 2021 to develop a 1.1 kilometre walkway through an existing forest plantation and link it with the existing walkways in Kiskeam Village. This year they carried out additional works to the existing walking trail including, biodiversity planting, picnic areas, signage, way markers and map boards and we also developed 800 metres of additional walking routes along the Kiskeam Walking Trail.
Participant John Holmes completed hoist training recently which will ensure our scheme can complete work out in the community. John also assisted in the works completed for our newest social enterprise ReLove Paint.
This new walking route required clearing to be completed with machinery as well as stone to be laid along the path. At the highest point of the trail a ‘Bird Hide’ was erected. This will allow visitors to have an interrupted viewing station from which to observe wildlife. A pedestrian wooden bridge was erected over a narrow stream to link back the new and existing route.
The work of IRD Duhallow is very much towards the betterment of communities which also encompasses ensuring one of the most important groups of our society, the elderly can continue to live independently in their own surroundings, and this is attained through receiving support from participants working on our social enterprises Duhallow Community Laundry, Duhallow Furniture Revamp, Duhallow Community Food Services and the Warmer Homes Scheme.
The addition of new paths will make options of almost 6km of walking routes around the Kiskeam Walking Trail. Community Work
Fleet Management RSS Supervisor Colm O Connor looks after the fleet of vehicles for IRD Duhallow and Duhallow Community Food Services. This job entails overseeing that all vehicles are compliant with legal requirements, along with making sure a tight monitoring and full-service schedule is maintained to get the maximum efficiency from the fleet while remaining in full compliance with RSA guidelines.
We’re very lucky to have a very talented team of participants who completed the work on the ORIS funded Walk in Kiskeam. This included the construction of a pedestrian bridge over a watercourse.
Retirements Last year one of our original participants who joined in 2004 Gerard O’Sullivan retired, we also said farewell to Eileen O’Riordan and Christopher Sheehan, we would like to thank them for their hard work and wish them all the very best for the future.
The wide variety of work participants undertake throughout Duhallow contributes to enhance the lives and surroundings of all our dwellers, this was very much evident throughout COVID-19 when people were restricted to their surroundings and got familiar with all the wonderful walks and amenities that we provide maintenance for. It is evident
Left: Denis Murphy busy at work with his colleagues’ power washing the community centre in Kilbrin. Right: Participation on RSS ensures Denis can continue to farm at home while completing community work part time on the schemes.
47
Testimony – Denis Murphy I joined the RSS Scheme in IRD Duhallow over 10 years ago, I am a single farmer living in a rural part of Duhallow between Newmarket and Rockchapel. I work mainly in various communities around Duhallow doing power washing, painting, and general maintenance. I enjoy my work but most of all I enjoy coming in and meeting my friends and colleagues that I work with every day. I also get great support from the supervisors who help me with anything I need.
