Communicating Europe

€U and M€

By Elmarie Creedon, Communicating Europe Participant

Born into an era of Ireland throwing away its stabiliser and firmly settled into the EU, 1979. I knew no different, but I do remember the value of a pound note. Its rich green colour, feeling so big in my small hand.

Recognising the positive influence and opportunities provided by the EU it has been my friend for the greater part. Living in a rural location with a vibrant soul to get things done and to get it right. Over the last thirty years IRD Duhallow with support from the EU have catered for the ever-changing needs of our locality. At the age of twenty, I completed a diploma in social studies, a wonderful way to broaden my horizons.

Next chapter motherhood. Clondrohid creche safeguarded my continued contribution to the workforce and they in turn received a Best Enterprise Award. While on maternity leave, I completed a Personal Development Course in IRD Duhallow to aid my adaption to my dual role of mother/employee. I again availed of the opportunity with CV preparation and starting your own business course.

As a family we regularly visit all our local playgrounds and benefit from the wonderful purpose built and upgraded facilities in our area which have received EU funding. We regularly trek the IRD Duhallow walking trail which provides endless learning, adventures, and picnic opportunities. During lockdown 2020, we participated in the Remote Cookery Programme for children; over six weeks it brought great delight and excitement as to what the mystery box contained each Friday delivered to our doorstep by IRD Duhallow and healthy delicious homemade meals to follow – skills for life.

Now having a child of difference. Yet again, IRD Duhallow happened to roll out a whole series of parenting education sessions, workshops, support groups - it was like magic as I had a need arise, I had access to information and support on my doorstep. All affordable. No obstacles. It took away the lonely feelings of having a child with difference, raising me up out of a hidden underground world as I now have the support of the Carers Group and thoroughly enjoy our monthly meetups and days out –I have a tribe and a fabulous bunch of ladies they are.

I also undertook courses under the European funded PEIL programme and completed Intellectual Disabilities, Care of the Elderly and Palliative Care which allowed me navigate life’s little hurdles with knowledge and certainty making challenging times that little easier for us as a family.

Most recently releasing my creative side by participating in an EU supported SICAP Community Education and Lifelong Learning course I learned how to sew, I wear my tote bag with pride. The sense of accomplishment. No money can buy that.

In Hot Water Over Our Rivers And Waterways

By Sandy Ní Bhuachalla, Communicating Europe Participant

In ancient Ireland, a king ruled only with the permission of the Goddess who conferred wisdom upon the king, symbolised by presenting him with a drink of water. A wise, just king’s reign ensured fertility, prosperity, and peace while an unjust king’s reign proved the opposite, creating a living hell for his people while the kingdom became a wasteland and its waterways, symbolic of his rule, refused him water in protest.

Today, the Irish Government has been referred to the European Court of Justice for failing to implement the EU’s Water Framework Directive guidelines to safeguard Ireland’s waterways from pollution. According to the UN 2023 Water Conference, ‘a quarter of the world’s population cannot access safe drinking water while half lack basic sanitation’, citing the need to implement regional goals to redress this.

The EU was already doing this in conjunction with IRD Duhallow, when it instigated the pilot water biodiversity training course in 2021. The Rockchapel Heritage Group - of which I am a member - was one of nine sub-catchment water action groups that consequently evolved. Using citizen science techniques such as kick-sampling certain invertebrates found in the River Feale, we estimate the level of water quality and send off our findings for further analysis. Composed of ordinary people, citizen science groups can spot the first warning signs of pollution and help preserve the habitats of the species and ecosystems that depend on the river for survival, including our own.

The importance of this work instigated by the EU is borne out by the UN Secretary General stating that “All of humanity’s hopes for the future depend on charting a new course to sustainably manage and conserve water … It needs to be at the centre of the political agenda.’ That this proves not to be the case is a damning reflection on the ‘wisdom’ of our political rulers today, whose actions are creating a wasteland of our world.