Humphreys walks the walk in Castlerea!

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced funding of €2.4 million to develop 70 new walking trails across the country.

The major expansion of the Department’s Walks Scheme will see the number of outdoor trails increase from 80 to 150 over the next two years.

The initiative is designed to boost outdoor recreation and rural tourism and will see the scheme work with over 2,500 farmers to open up the countryside to walkers, hikers, cyclists and tourists.

Under the Walks Scheme, funding is provided to farmers and other landowners to maintain the trails that travel through their holdings.

Making the announcement on the Lung Lough Gara Way in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, Minister Humphreys stated: “Our walkways and outdoor trails showcase the unique beauty of our rural towns and villages.

“They attract millions of visitors every single year and provide people of all ages with the opportunity to get out for some exercise and fresh air.

“So I’m delighted to announce a major expansion of my Department’s ‘Walks Scheme’ – which we expect will see an additional 70 trails brought on board”.

Roscommon County Council News In Brief

Tributes paid to the late Albert Looby

Many tributes have been paid to the late Albert Looby, whose death occurred. The deceased was a former Civil Engineer with Roscommon County Council where he was employed for many years and was a highly regarded individual. Paying tribute to the late Mr. Looby, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council Cllr.

Tom Crosby described the deceased as “a gentleman who worked hard for the people he served. Albert was a great family man and a great GAA man as well. To his wife Aileen, his sons, daughters and extended family on behalf of the management and staff of Roscommon County Council, I would like to extend my sincere sympathies.”

A naitve of Listowel, Co. Kerry, the late Albert Looby resided in Tully, Four-Mile-House where he is survived by his wife Aileen; sons John, Albert, Mark and Colin; daughters Susan and Michelle; sister Noreen and brother Michael, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, former colleagues, neighbours and friends.

The deceased reposed at Smyth’s Funeral Home, Roscommon before being removed to St Brigid’s Church, Four-Mile-House where following Mass of the Resurrection, burial took place in Ballinderry Cemetery.

Tributes were also paid at last Monday’s plenary meeting of Roscommon County Council to former County Coroner, Vincent P. O’Connor, late of Nirvana, Convent Road, Ballaghaderreen; the late John Bruen, father of Marina Bruen, a member of Roscommon County Council Library staff and the late Danny Rogerson from Jamestown, Ballyforan, a former member of the Council’s outdoor staff.

Celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge

Marking Seachtain na Gaeilge, Leabharlann Ros Comáin or Roscommon Libraries are celebrating the event with a series of special events.

This Monday, March 6th, the Irish language book club for adult readers, Club Leabhar, will meet in Roscommon Library at 10am. Then on Friday, March 10th, Roscommon Branch Library will host award-winning writer and broadcaster Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin.

Tadhg will be holding a special Storytime for primary school pupils at 10.30am and at 2pm he will be deliver a talk, aimed at adults, about his novel ‘Madame Lazare’, winner of the An Post Award 2021. His talk will be accompanied by a questions and answers session and some light refreshments.

Then on Saturday, March 11th, Roscommon Branch Library will be hosting a Family Fun Day, organized by the Parent’s Association of Gaelscoil de hÍde. There will be ceol, craic and facepainting.

Finallly, on Thursday, March 16th, Castlerea Branch Library will be hosting a Pop-Up Gaeltacht, where all interested, of whatever level, can visit for tea, coffee and a chat as Gaeilge. All events are free of charge and all are welcome to attend. Bígí Linn!

International Women’s Day

Marking International Women’s Day on this Wednesday, March 8th, Roscommon County Council is delighted to support a novel initiative which will highlight the shortfall of female representation in local politics whereby fourteen of the eighteen seats will be filled by women in a reversal of the current representation on the local authority.

At approximately 4pm, the current representation on Roscommon County Council will be ‘reversed’ in a simulated fashion to highlight the disparity in female representation in local authorities.

Proceedings will begin with an introduction by the Chairperson of proceedings on the day, Cllr. Emer Kelly followed by the personal testimonies of four women, all with diverse backgrounds, on the realities of female representation in public life.

This initiative, otherwise known as the ‘5 minute story’ will see four women from the group speaking as representatives on the topics of - young women’s mental health, reproductive rights, property rights and the economic challenges of everyday life.

There will be opportunities for discussion and questions on the practicalities of becoming involved and staying involved in

Heritage Research Bursary 2023

public life as well as a focus on the value and importance of equal representation of all genders and interests on the local authority.

Rita Kearney, who is a board member of Roscommon Women’s Network, who are supporting the event, is looking forward to next Wednesday: “We’re delighted to be able to host such an event marking International Women’s Day, which is supported by Roscommon County Council. Our purpose on the day is two-fold – to highlight the shortfall in women’s representation in public life, which does not reflect the equal demographic of men and women in society.

“Equally so, the day is also about empowering women, supporting and encouraging them to engage in public life, to have their voices heard in politics and in the corridors of power. It’s important women’s voices are heard to reflect the pivotal role they play in local society”, says Ms. Kearney.

Renewed appeal for Roscommon properties to house Ukrainian people

Roscommon County Council is appealing to those who have unoccupied properties to offer them as temporary homes for those fleeing war in Ukraine.

A tax-free recognition payment of €800 per month is available for properties used to house those arriving from Ukraine. This payment rate applied from December 1st 2022. Property owners can offer homes at offerahome.ie or by contacting the local author ity in which the property is located.

Those who of the local authority within 5 working days of making their offer and an assessment of the property will be carried out by the local authority shortly after. Properties should be in liveable condition and, ideally, available for at least 6 months. A tax-free recognition payment of €800 per month is available from the Department of Social Protection to those who offer accommodation to Ukrainian people in need of housing.

Further information can also be received by contacting Ukraine Response Support Team, of Roscommon County Coun cil on 090 6637249 co.ie Property owners can also offer homes at where they will be able to check the status of their offer at any stage through the website gov.ie/offerahome.

Under the ‘Of Council will take offers of houses, apartments or holiday homes for temporary accommodation, liaise with owners to assess suit ability, and arrange for their use by Ukrainian people and families.

This is a call for stand-alone properties that are not occupied by others. Properties should be in liveable condition and, ideally, available for at least 6 months.

Local Enterprise Week

Next week is Local Enterprise Week and Roscommon Local En terprise Office are hosting a series of events to support established, emerging and new businesses.

Local events will be supported by five key spotlight events which are being hosted online and are suitable for businesses na tionwide.

This Monday businesses will take place from 10am to 1pm while on Tuesday, there are three events, beginning with a Trading Online Voucher Webinar for local businesses from 11am to 1pm.

A tendering a procurement workshop for small and medium sized businesses in the county will take place from 2pm to 4pm followed later that evening by an online Start Your Own Business Course from 6pm to 9pm.

Next Wednesday, March 8 Clinic for local businesses will begin from 9.30am, concluding at 5pm. Then from 11am to 1pm there will seminar for businesses on the theme of ‘Creative Technology’ in Roscommon County Li brary. The evening will conclude with a Grow Remote Network ing Evening from 7pm to 8pm.

The penultimate day of activities on a Remote Business Advisory Clinic from 10am to 6pm while the winners of the County Enterprise Awards will be announced that day. The final engagement of the week will see a Business Break fast taking place in Hannon’s Hotel, Roscommon on the Friday morning, March 10

Booking to the aforementioned events is advisable at localenterprise.ie/Roscommon

Roscommon County Council is now inviting applications for the Heritage Research Bursary 2023. The research topic or site must be located in County Roscommon. The research project must be at MA, MSc or PhD level in a recognised third level college. There is one bursary award only and the maximum value of the award is €1,000. Bursary Report must be submitted by 27th October 2023.

Applications can only be accepted via My Online Services – register at www.roscommoncoco.ie

The closing date for receipt of completed application forms and accompanying information is 5pm on Friday 31st March 2023. Late applications will not be considered.

All enquiries to Heritage Office by telephone (090) 6637513 or e-mail: heritage@roscommoncoco.ie

This project is an action of the County Roscommon Heritage Plan 2017-2021.

Signed Majella Hunt Director of Services