Northern Lights in Corraleehan image taken by Michael McGovern

National PPN Conference Limerick

The National Conference took place on 17th & 18th Oct in Limerick.

This year’s theme was Collaboration for Resilient Communities, the Mayor of Limerick opened the Conference along with DRCD.

There were various excursions, workshops and fantastic networking opportunities.

It was a great conference celebrating 10 years of the PPN’s.

Local Community Safety Partnerships

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, on 7th Oct  announced the appointment of chairpersons to the first seven Local Community Safety Partnerships being established across the country.  These appointments follow expressions of interest conducted by each Local Authority, and the newly appointed Chairs will work to develop and manage Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) within their respective areas.

Love Where You Live Awards Night

10th Oct - Lough Rynn Castle

Love Where You Live Awards on Thurs night 10th Oct in Lough Rynn Castle, Mohill, a collaboration between Leitrim PPN (Public Participation Network) and Leitrim County Council.

 

Social Inclusion Winners and Runner Ups:-

Runner Up Manorhamilton Municipal District:
📢 Killenummery Women's Group

Winner Manorhamilton Municipal District:
📢New Ballagh Centre Choir of Ages

Runner Up Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District:
📢Annaduff/ Drumsna Golden Age

Winner Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District:
📢Extra Special Parent & Toddler Group

Runner Up Ballinamore Municipal District:
📢Carrigallen Tidy Towns Committee honoring Margo from Ukraine

Winner Ballinamore Municipal District:
📢Fenagh Development Association

 

Community Achievement Winners and Runner Ups:-

Runner Up Manorhamilton Municipal District:
📢The BeePark Community Centre

Winner Manorhamilton Municipal District:
📢Tullaghan Development Association

Runner Up Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District:
📢Leitrim International Community Group - LICG

Winner Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District:
📢Mohill and District Heritage Society

Runner Up Ballinamore Municipal District:
📢Drumreilly Active Age

Winner Ballinamore Municipal District:
📢Keshcarrigan Development Association

Well done to all, a great night of appreciation and community spirit.

Watch out for the application form for the 2025 awards early next year!

Connect Café

Thanks to all who came to the Connect Café in the Island Theatre Ballinamore on 8th Oct.

 

Connect Café's are organised events that bring people together to connect and start conversations.  Their goal is to open conversations, strengthening the connection with ourselves, with others and with our communities.

 

Thanks to Secretariat member Bernie Dolan for attending.

 

If your group wish to organise a Connect Café get in contact with Teresa at teresakeane@mentalhealthireland.ie

Wellbeing Fair 9th Oct - Landmark Hotel

Workshops included:-

• Leitrim School of Art
• Creative Mindfulness
• Sound Bath
• Mindfulness

Thanks to all for coming along to this inspiring event. Funded by SICAP and the HSE. Leitrim PPN were part of the organising committee with Leitrim Development Company, HSE Connecting for Life and  Mental Health Ireland .

Social Inclusion Week 21st Oct to 27th Oct

Leitrim Development Company, Leitrim PPN, WCI - North Leitrim Women's Centre, The Community Services Hub at the Den Ballinamore and Killenummery Men’s Shed will be hosting events all over county Leitrim for Leitrim Inclusion Week 2024 which is on this week!

 

A series of talks, workshops, performances and activities will be held during this week promoting Social Inclusion and diversity in Leitrim. All events are free.

 

Monday 21st Oct: Social Solo Mingle Event

Social Solo Mingle Event, 11am at Aras Padraig Drumshanbo.  For anyone over 55 who would like to meet new people! For more details contact Anna McTiernan on 086 4073492 or Annamctiernan@ldco.ie

 

Tuesday 22nd Oct: Community Services Hub

10am-12noon at the Community Services Hub in the Den, Ballinamore (N41R522). Information and signposting, a free cup of tea/coffee, talk with other people, and a Repair Café. 

 

Wednesday 23rd Oct: Indigestion and Connection An evening for Rural Men, with a special performance of 'Indigestion' by Seamus O'Rourke

A special evening dedicated to promoting social connections and well-being for men at Killenummery Community Centre.  There will also be information stands from Teagasc (to answer all your farming questions on grants etc), Healthy Ireland and Men's Sheds. Doors at 7:00 PM. There will be a bus to this event available - to book the bus please contact Carol 0862042628 / carol@ldco.ie For more information on the event please contact carol@ldco.ie or 0862042628

 

Thursday 24th Oct: Open day at Shannonside Community Centre

11 am to 1 pm, showcasing the work of the Traveller Programme at the Shannonside Community Centre at Rosebank, Carrick-on-Shannon. Tea, Coffee, Scones and Pastries, and all welcome! For more information contact caillin@ldco.ie or 085-7653152.

Bealtaine Touring Award 2025

The call for performing arts tours in 2025 invites artists and producers to submit proposals for consideration by Age & Opportunity. Age & Opportunity will provide a platform for presenting the tour during the Bealtaine Festival in the month of May along with some financial support. The producer/artist will be responsible for all aspects of the production and tour, with Age & Opportunity as a co-producer. The tour must happen during the month of May 2025 (but may have additional dates outside of this period) and have at least three shows/performances.

 

The aim of the award is to encourage and nurture creative work by and for older people which is ambitious and innovative and takes place across Ireland. We are particularly eager to receive applications for work that is radical, challenging, humorous or offbeat. We also wish to bring a broader range of festival events to our Bealtaine participants and audiences.

 

We especially invite artists from marginalised or underrepresented communities to apply.

 

Deadline: 13th November

Win an Outdoor Classroom

Biodiversity in Schools have an epic social media competition this year!

Thanks to their partner eFlow they have THREE outdoor classroom/ school gardens to be won.  That's right - THREE. Over €12,000 worth of outdoor learning resources.

All you need to do is take a picture of your class exploring a local woodland or hedgerow or indeed planting trees at your school. Share it on Facebook, X or Instagram using the hashtag #CoillNaNog and tag Biodiversity in Schools and eFlow.

 

Deadline: 19th December

Christmas Support Allocation 2024

This funding will be used to support Christmas markets, or other such events and festive activities such as Christmas lights, in smaller rural towns in these counties. These markets will encourage people to shop local and support local economies.

 

Any queries in relation to the application process can be forwarded to funding@leitrimcoco.ie or call (071) 962 0005 Ext 525

 

Deadline: 30th October

Free Rivers Fund Grants

The Free Rivers Fund (FRF) supports initiatives and actions in defense of free flowing rivers.  Partnering with the paddle sports industry we provide grants for activist and conservation groups that commit to the fight to protect rivers from dams and development.  Free Rivers Fund aims to support those initiatives that most urgently need funding.  No matter if you have been an organization for several years already or if you are just starting out with a bunch of ideas but no results to show, we are looking forward to receiving your application!  Funding is generally between €1000 and €2000.

 

Deadline: 10th January 2025

Trust for Sustainable Living Competition

The Trust for Sustainable Living is excited to launch their competition inviting students to share their original, creative and expressive responses to the theme, From Eco-Anxiety to Eco Action & Empowerment

Eco-anxiety, climate grief and climate anxiety are defined as ‘negative emotional responses generated due to the threat of environmental and climate crisis’.  A 2024 United Nations report has highlighted that ‘Eco-anxiety’ is an ‘emergency crisis hidden in plain sight’ and is likely to create a massive impact among the world’s children and youth.

Recent global surveys have indicated that over 50% of young people are experiencing eco-anxiety and are extremely worried about environmental and climate change, with many reporting feelings of sadness, anxiousness, anger, powerlessness, helplessness and guilt.

 

Deadline: 3rd March 2025

Culture Moves Europe:
Third call for individual mobility of artists and cultural professionals

Culture Moves Europe provides mobility grants for artists and cultural professionals in all 40 creative Europe countries.  It covers the sectors of architecture, cultural heritage, design and fashion design, literature, music, performing arts and visual arts.‍
This call aims to provide financial support to artists and cultural professionals who, in collaboration with an international partner, wish to carry out a mobility project between Creative Europe countries.
Call detail:
Are you an artist or do you work in the field of culture and would like funding support to carry out a project in another country? 

 

Culture Moves Europe’s third call for individual mobility targets artists and cultural professionals working in the following sectors: music, literature, architecture, cultural heritage, design and fashion design, visual arts and performing arts.

 

The call is open to individuals and groups of up to 5 people, who wish to implement projects lasting between 7 to 60 days for individuals and 7 to 21 days for the groups. The grant contributes to travel and subsistence costs, and offers additional top-ups based on grantees’ individual situation.‍

 

Deadline: 30th November

Interreg North-West Europe - Call 5

Interreg North-West Europe - Call 5 fosters transnational cooperation to make Northwestern Europe a key economic player and an attractive place to work and live, with high levels of innovation, sustainability and cohesion.
Aims & Objectives: The Interreg NWE Programme is part of the European Territorial Cooperation Objective supported by the European Regional Development Fund.
The Programme encourages public, scientific, private and civil society organisations to cooperate with a view to promote a green, smart and just transition for all NWE territories.  The aim is to support a balanced development and make all regions more resilient. The Programme co-finances these organisations to work together in transnational projects on specific themes.  Seven countries belong to the Interreg North-West Europe Programme area: Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Switzerland.‍

What does it support? The Interreg North-West Europe Programme for 2021-2027 focusses on five main funding priorities or themes:

♦Climate and environment

♦Energy transition

♦Circular Economy

♦Innovation and resilience

♦Inclusive society

A wide range of public and private (non-profit and profit making) organisations are welcomed to take part in NWE project partnerships including national, regional and local authorities, universities, Research & Development centres, SMEs and business support organisations (BSOs), sectoral associations, NGOs, lobby organisations and citizens groups.
Projects should bring together at least three partners from three different countries (usually more) of which two need to be from within the NWE Programme area.

 

Deadline: 16th January 2025

Leitrim Festival Organiser's Survey

Leitrim County Council are working with AOIFE in delivering a small project to engage and improve the positioning of the Festival and Events sector in the County. A range of seminars, cluster workshops and mentorings is envisaged over the coming weeks.  A small Google questionnaire has been prepared with a view to current not for profit festivals and community events.  Maybe your group has not an established event but is thinking of hosting one or reviving one in your community - either way please do help animate the scope of the scheme by filling in your responses below.

Biodiversity Action Plan Survey

Leitrim County Council is preparing a new Local Authority Biodiversity Action Plan (LABAP) supported by the Heritage Council. The aim of the plan will be to record, conserve, restore and promote biodiversity within County Leitrim over the next five years.

 

Deadline: 1st November

Just Transition/ Climate Survey

The UCD Just Transition Research Group (JTRG) is exploring how to ensure a fair shift to a low-carbon society. If you're involved in any project at the intersection between climate action and social justice, whether in professionally or voluntarily, we would greatly appreciate your insight!

Call for Participants:

Governance for Change Programme

Are you a disabled person interested in taking on a governance role?

Independent Living Movement Ireland is excited to announce the next round of the highly successful ‘Governance for Change’ programme, starting Thursday, 7th November!

 

What’s it about?

ILMI’s vision is to build an inclusive society where disabled people have freedom, choice, and control in all aspects of life. One way we can achieve this is by empowering disabled people to sit on boards and committees, ensuring voices shape how public resources and services are designed and delivered.

The Governance for Change programme will equip participants with the knowledge and skills to take on governance roles, explore charity regulation, understand the roles of boards, and more!

Training and support are provided for FREE, but spots are limited, and participants must commit to the full programme.

 

Programme Details:

Start Date: Thursday, 7th November

Location: Zoom (5 sessions)

Time: 11am-1pm, every Thursday

Cost: FREE

 

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

Register your interest by emailing info@ilmi.ie

Free Art Workshops for Children with Lifelong Physical Health Conditions

Helium Arts is a charity supporting children in Ireland with conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, spina bifida, juvenile arthritis, rare conditions and more. They offer free creative workshops—both in-person and online—where children can build confidence, make friends, and learn new skills.

 

The Autumn/Winter programme is now open for registration.  All workshops are facilitated by professional artists, supported by friendly volunteers and on-site medical staff. 

Vex Robotics Workshops Leitrim BCP's

Aghanlish BCP is hosting a workshop on the 9th November 2024, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

This robotics workshop is free of charge and open to young people between the ages of 8-15 years.

 

Aghanlish Community Centre, F91 PYD2

Information on a new Government Campaign on Migration

This is a cross-Government public information campaign to make it easier to find factual information about migration and how immigration services work.

We would be very grateful if you could support this campaign and share with your groups as you deem appropriate.

Request for all Women's Sheds in Connacht 

Ballinrobe Women's Shed is compiling a list of Women's Sheds for the purpose of information-sharing from the National forum.

 

Please email your details to ballinrobewomensshed@gmail.com.

Who can Vote and in What Elections? 

Citizenship: every adult resident in the state is entitled to be registered; their citizenship determines the type of elections they may vote in.

 

Voting Rights:

Irish - Irish Citizens: may vote at every election and Referendum British - British Citizens: may vote at Dáil and Local Elections

British/EU Citizen: may vote at Dail, European and Local Elections

EU – European Citizens may vote at European and Local Elections.

 

You will not be allowed to vote in the upcoming General Election

Non-EU - Non-European Citizens: may vote at Local Elections.

You will not be allowed to vote in the upcoming General Election

Potential EU – Potential European Citizens: may vote at Local Elections You will not be allowed to vote in the upcoming General Election

 

New legislation was introduced on 13th October 2022 requiring additional information to register to vote – this now includes the requirement for a PPSN, DOB and Eircode.

ESB Wind Farm Community Funds - 2024 Celebrating Community Achievements Webinar Event 

Community groups within the area of benefit (10Km) of the Wind Farms, are encouraged to attend.

• Black Banks Wind Farm, Seltan, Drumkeeran, Co. Leitrim.

+ESB Wind Farm Community Funds would love community groups within the Area of Benefit (10km) of the Wind Farms to join them from 7pm-8pm Tuesday 12th November, for the Celebrating Community Achievements Webinar event.

The event will feature groups from across the country, who have successfully completed a wide range of projects with support from these funds.

Garvagh Glebe Wind Farm, Tullynamuckduff, Co. Leitrim.

This is an opportunity to get inspired and learn from each other.

***Cardiac Screening***

A Cardiac Screening mobile unit is coming to St. Hugh Park Ballinaglera on Saturday the 2nd of November. This will be very worthwhile for the people of the community.

 

Booking is essential and you can do so by contacting the Ballinaglera Healthy Club Facebook page or Cliona on 0872191936.

 

The cost is €50 per person and this will also cover the costs of follow up tests, for those who require it.

 

The principal tests are:

 

- Screening questionnaire

- Electrocardiogram

- Blood pressure recording

 

All tests are performed by cardiac physiologists and reported (offline) by a consultant cardiologist. Following the consultant report, there may be a recommendation for an echocardiogram / ambulatory (Holter) monitor which they will also perform at no additional cost. This is typically required on 10% or so of those screened.

 

All results are back within 2 weeks unless a follow up echo etc is required, and all attendees receive a letter directly to their home address with these results.

 

Finally, the age range is 14 yr old upwards. The target audience for sudden adult death syndrome is typically 14-40, however they have screened older people on the basis that they know the risk of follow up test is higher due to the increased likelihood of cardiac disease rather than sudden death syndrome.

 

They do not screen children younger than 14 and those under 16 must get parental consent.

Save the Date for Christmas Markets

Sat 23rd November - Kinlough Community Centre

Sun 27th November - Carrigallen

 

Sat 30th November - The Bee Park, Manorhamilton - 12noon - 4pm

Sun 1st December - The Bee Park, Manorhamilton - 12noon - 4pm

Sun 1st December - Fenagh Community Centre - 12noon - 5pm

 

Sat 7th December - Island Theatre, Ballinamore - 12noon - 4pm

 

Fri 13th December - The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon - 6-8pm
Sat 14th December - The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon - 10am-3pm