Lough Melvin, Kinlough

Leitrim PPN Plenary

We held our summer Plenary (Gathering of Community Groups) on Thursday evening 15th May, in The Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon.

Keynote speaker was Heather Humphreys. Special guest was Ger Deering, who was appointed Ombudsman and Information Commissioner for Ireland by President Michael D. Higgins in January 2022.  Both were very informative and enlightening.

 

Thanks to all the exhibitors, community groups, staff of Leitrim Development Company for helping, staff of Leitrim County Council for information on Love Where You Live Awards, The Leitrim Gathering, Healthy Ireland, and valuable funding information.

 

Thanks to all for coming out on a lovely sunny evening!

Our next Plenary will be in North Leitrim 13th November.

 

The Plenary is a great opportunity to network, share ideas, learn from others and hear of the work of Leitrim PPN.

 

Aedín Mc Loughlin steps down from the Secretariat and National Secretariat Network and both secretariat and staff thank her for her valuable contribution over the years.

 

There are 3 vacancies to be filled on the Secretariat from each of these pillars:- Carrick on Shannon MD, Community & Voluntary & Environment.

If this is something you wish to volunteer for please do let us know, vacancies will be advertised in due course.

 

Pictured are Secretariat members:-  Brigid Mc Gourty, Aedín Mc Loughlin, Bernie Mulligan Dolan, Olivia Fitzgerald Murphy, Patrick Mc Greevy and staff Mary Mc Girl and Mary Mc Keon (Co-ordinator Leitrim PPN)

 

Missing from photo is: Gerry Creamer & Brian Smyth from Secretariat

Love Where You Live Awards
LAST CHANCE TO ENTER

Enter your voluntary or community group under one of the 5 categories:

• Social Inclusion
• Community Achievement
• Age Friendly Community
• Green Community
• Green Estate

Deadline: 26th May

The Leitrim Gathering

23rd to 25th May 2025

Celebrating place, connection, and heritage with Leitrim people at home and around the world. 
Scroll down to the bottom of our e-bulletin to see some of the posters for events during the Leitrim Gathering.

Biodiversity Week in Leitrim kicks off!

Biodiversity Week is in full swing! 

Explore the rich variety of life in Leitrim with a host of wonderful events and activities for the whole family. 

Leitrim PPN Member Spotlight
The Golden Age Group Annaduff/ Drumsna

The Golden Age Group Annaduff/ Drumsna came to the Litrim PPN Plenary on Thurs evening with a magnificent display of what they get up to!

The group are vibrant and active and an inspiration to all and they gave a brief description of their group and the activities they get involved in.

Well done for coming along and engaging with other member groups.

Social Inclusion, Disability, Rural Development, Peace and Reconciliation Linkage Group

Wed 28th May, Leitrim Development Company, Drumshanbo - 7.30pm.

 

Hear from Caitriona Sinnott, Community Alert Development Officer, Muintir na Tíre on community alerts, supports etc.  Community Alert is the rural crime prevention and community safety programme, operated since 1984 by Muintir na Tíre, in partnership with An Garda Síochána.

 

Also Hear from FND Ireland

FND Ireland is the first Irish charity dedicated to advocating for and supporting those living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) in Ireland.

They are an entirely voluntary organisation with a committed team that plans to grow into the future and extend their reach to the entire FND community in Ireland. After being diagnosed with motor FND in 2021 FND founder Eamon McPartlin realised there was no Irish FND support organisation, come along to hear what Eamon has to say.

 

All Welcome to come along

Connecting Women to

Local Decision Making in Leitrim

SAVE THE DATE

Connecting Women to Local Decision Making in Leitrim

 

Leitrim PPN have teamed up with North Leitrim Women’s Centre & See her Elected to bring you a very exciting half day event on Fri 13th June starting at 10am sharp followed by food at 12.45 at Carrick-on-Shannon Business Campus, Attifinlay, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, N41 N1F2 (beside Avant Card)

 

There will be a keynote speaker followed by a presentation from Dr Michelle Maher the SHE Programme Manager who will examine the history of women in politics in Leitrim.

This will be followed by a panel discussion of influential Leitrim ladies. 

Promised to be a great event.

Small Sparks

As part of Small Sparks three Leitrim businesses are provided the opportunity to each work with an artist to explore common interests and how creative activity can benefit both the company and the artist.  There are no preconditions on what the artist (who may be from any arts discipline) might do, and it is not obligatory to have produced anything by the end of the project (although a materials budget is available if required).  The residency lasts for approximately 10 days over three weeks, which can be taken in one block or spread over a longer period as agreed between the artist and company.

 

Deadline: 27th May

Artist Mentorship Programme

The Artist Mentorship programme is designed to support the development of Leitrim based emerging and established professional artists from any arts discipline who would benefit from the guidance of a leading professional to help the applicant take the next steps in their career development.

 

Deadline: 1st June

Calling Young Traditional Musicians

Young musicians aged 18–23 residing on the island of Ireland are invited to apply for a fully-funded residential bursary, offering an unforgettable week of music, learning, and cultural exchange at the Belfast TradFest Summer School.

The All Island Residential Bursary Scheme aims to remove financial barriers for talented young students from every county across Ireland, covering tuition fees which includes access to the full programme of afternoon events, accommodation, and meals — allowing recipients to fully immerse themselves in the Summer School experience.

Deadline: 2nd June

Leitrim County Childcare Committee

Small Summer Scheme Grant

**Attention Community & Voluntary Groups**

 

This grant is for community/voluntary groups in Leitrim to provide free or reduced cost summer camps/projects for children.

The maximum grant that can be applied for is €500.

For an application form, please email nancy@leitrimchildcare.ie.

 

Deadline: 30th May

AIB Community Fund

The AIB Community €1 Million Fund enables customers, the public and our employees to support the local charities that matter most to them, within their region. 

 

Information Evenings

Tuesday 20th May: 5-6pm – Ballinamore Branch

Thursday 22nd May: 5-6pm – Carrick on Shannon Branch 

 

Deadline: 25th June

National Social Enterprise Awards 2025

The National Social Enterprise Awards 2025 are now open for applications. The Awards showcase the impact of Ireland’s social enterprise community, and celebrate the people and organisations that make it all happen.

The awards are organised by the Local Development Companies Network in collaboration with The Wheel, Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland and the Irish Social Enterprise Network.

 

Deadline: 27th June

Culture Night Fund

Culture Night is an annual all-island public event that celebrates culture, creativity and the arts.  This year, it will take place on Friday, September 19th, 2025.

On Culture Night, arts and cultural organisations and venues of all shapes and sizes extend their opening hours and organise special and unique events and workshops which are available to the public free of charge.

Last year, over one thousand people attended events in fifteen venues across Leitrim.  This year, Leitrim County Council Arts Office welcomes applications from previous Culture Night venues and encourages new participants who might like to become involved for the first time.

Culture Night is particularly suited to venues seeking to encourage new audiences and organisations such as choirs, theatre companies or book clubs who could host an evening of novel or exciting activities designed to engage new members.

The event must take place between/ after 4pm on Friday 19th September and be free of charge to the public. 

Leitrim County Council Arts Office can provide financial support towards your events up to a maximum of €1,000 and will include details of the event in their Culture Night publicity materials. 

The value of grants provided will depend on the number and quality of applications received.  It may not be possible to fund all applicants and available funding will be allocated to those applications which best meet the objectives of the programme.

 

Deadline: 29th June

Rural Tourism Fund

Airbnb are offering grants ranging from €1000 to €10,000 to help local organisations and communities bring their ideas to life - from starting or expanding festivals, new signage for walking trails, commissioning artwork or upgrading community facilities.

 

If you have a project that promotes or supports rural tourism in your community you may be eligible.

 

Deadline: 30th June

Michele Panuccio Memorial Grant

The Michele Panuccio Memorial Grant provides financial support for field research on raptor migration and conservation in the European region by young researchers (no more than 35 years old).  The annual grant will be up to €1,500.

 

Deadline: 30th June

 

2nd Carrick-on-Shannon Town Hall Survey - deadline approaching..

The developed concept for a “Carrick-on-Shannon Town Hall River Centre” has emerged as the most viable idea for the reuse of this wonderful and important historic building, open and accessible to all.  The Town Hall River Centre and its new community garden to the rear will be a flexible facility which will attract visitors to the town throughout the day and into the evening and help to better connect the town to the River Shannon.  We are asking for your thoughts on this and how it might best support the town and its communities.

 

Deadline: 22nd May

Sligo, Leitrim, Northern Counties, Railway (SLNCR) Greenway: Phase 3 - Emerging Preferred Corridor

Leitrim County Council, in partnership with Sligo County Council, Cavan County Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, under the auspices of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) are developing the Sligo, Leitrim, Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR) Greenway.

Deadline: 27th May

Public Consultation Meetings
Leitrim Digital Strategy 2025–2029

Leitrim County Council are pleased to invite you to a public consultation on the upcoming Digital Strategy 2025–2029.  This is your opportunity to have your say and help shape the future of digital services and innovation in our community.

 

The Digital Strategy 2025–2029 will set out our vision and priorities for advancing digital transformation over the next five years.  Leitrim County Council want to hear from residents, businesses, and community groups about your needs, ideas, and expectations.  Your input is vital to ensure the strategy reflects the priorities of the people it will serve.

 

Please email dsconsultation@leitrimcoco.ie indicating which consultation you would like to attend.

Public Consultation: Policing Priorities for An Garda Siochana

PCSA Ireland want you and your community members to have their say on the areas of policing that they believe the Gardaí should focus their time, resources and attention on.

 

The Policing and Community Safety Authority has launched a Public Consultation on Policing Priorities for the Garda Síochána for 2026-2028.  This user-friendly online tool allows you to spend ‘points’ on the areas of policing that you consider are most important.  It will take about 10 minutes to complete, and there is a short, optional survey at the end.

 

Deadline: 8th June

Open to anyone over the age of 16.

Public Participation - Identification of new Bathing Waters

Have your say about Corry Strand, Lough Allen, Lough Melvin amongst the many other incredible bathing areas in North Leitrim.

 

Deadline: 27th June

Webinar with the Data Protection Commission

When: Tuesday, 20 May 2025
Time: 1:00pm – 1:45pm
Where: Online (link provided upon registration)

 

This Data Protection Commission (DPC) is specifically designed for charities.

The 45-minute session will be led by Emer Bennett, a Regulatory Investigator with the DPC’s Consultation and Supervision function.  This is a great opportunity to gain practical insights into how the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to charities of all sizes, as well as guidance in the specific areas of data security measures, transparency obligations and data breach management.

Teagasc Organic Course

Have you recently joined the Organic farming scheme and need an Organic Course?

Teagasc have a course coming up starting on the 20th May.

 

Schedule:

20th May 10am-1pm - Online via zoom.

21st May 10am-1pm - Teagasc Office Manorhamilton & Farm visit.

27th May 10am-1pm- Online via zoom

29th May 10am-1pm- Online via zoom

3rd June 10am-1pm – Teagasc Office Manorhamilton & Farm visit

Balancing Stress Programme

The Balancing Stress Programme is a new, free online resource from the HSE to help people to manage stress using practical, evidence evidence-based tools and exercises. 

Disability Supports after 65

There are many issues that disabled people across the whole of Ireland face.

 

One of them is that when they reach retirement age, they lose access to disability supports.  It is as if, when they get older, they are suddenly not disabled-by-Society anymore.

 

ILMI is creating a space to discuss this as a first step to addressing getting older in a disabling Society.

 

Please join the discussion if you have something to say about this or want to listen to other 'maturing' disabled people who are keen to shine an activist's eye on celebrating the lived experiences of getting older and the role of local DPO's.

 

The conversation is happening by Zoom on Thursday 22 May, 2:30 - 3:30 pm. Please message pippablack@ilmi.ie to request a Zoom link.

 

The poster text reads "Disability Supports after 65. Did you know that disabled people age out of disability supports when we reach retirement age? Let's talk about this. Zoom meeting, Thursday, 22 May 2:30 - 3:30 pm." There is an image of three people sitting around a table with a laptop and a tablet. There are four speech bubbles over their heads. The Independent Living Movement of Ireland (ILMI) logo is in the bottom right corner.

Swim & Water Safety

Registration for all swim weeks in Leitrim and the summer pool lifeguard course is now open, Please find REGISTRATION LINK BELOW!

When you click the link please select the correct swim week you wish to register for! This year Leitrim Water Safety have:

 

- Pool Lifeguard Course: beginning May 31

 

- Drumshanbo Swim Weekends: beginning May 31

 

- Keeldra Swim & Safety weeks: beginning June 30

 

- Corry Strand Swim & Safety weeks: beginning June 30

 

- Gulladoo Swim & Safety weeks: beginning July 14

 

- Ballinaglera Swim & Safety weeks: beginning July 14

 

- Rossinver Swim & Safety weeks: beginning July 14

 

- Drumshanbo Swim & Safety weeks: beginning July 28

€1.5 million to increase awareness among young people of Irish-language job opportunities

• record 3-year funding approved for Gluaiseacht – Conradh na Gaeilge’s interactive awareness roadshow highlighting Irish-language employment opportunities for young people
• over 42,250 young people to be reached directly each year
• additional staff to be employed, including coordinator

With this project, young people are encouraged to use their Irish in a conscious way, and they are informed of all the ways in which they can use the language.

Leitrim Gathering Postcards Now Available! 

To mark The Leitrim Gathering, Leitrim County Council has produced a beautiful set of postcards featuring iconic Leitrim scenes - perfect for sharing a little Leitrim magic with family and friends, near or far.

 

Rather than charging for the cards, The Leitrim Gathering are instead encouraging donations to a cause close to many hearts, The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT). This incredible charity helps ease the financial burden for families bringing loved ones home to Ireland after a sudden or tragic death abroad.

 

💌  Pick up your postcards at any of the following locations:

• The Dock, Carrick on Shannon
• The Tourist Office, Carrick on Shannon
• The Market Yard, Carrick on Shannon
• The Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon
• The Shed Distillery, Drumshanbo
• Sliabh an Iarainn Visitors Centre, Drumshanbo
• Glenview Folk Museum
• The Junction, Ballinamore
• TeaSHED Cafe, Glencar
• Rainbow Ballroom, Glenfarne
• Beepark Resource Centre, Manorhamilton
• Ireland West Airport, Knock
• Leitrim County Council Reception, Carrick on Shannon
• Carrick on Shannon Library
• Ballinamore Library
• Manorhamilton Library

Unauthorised Recycling Collections –

Know More, Recycle Safely

Unauthorised dumping and unofficial electrical recycling services often lack the resources to handle electronic waste responsibly.  This can lead to environmental hazards, as hazardous materials from improperly disposed electronic devices can contaminate soil and water.

No mow May is here!

To help our native wildlife during the month of May, you can lock up your lawnmower!

 

This gives native Irish wildflowers, like dandelions and clover, a chance to grow naturally. These plants feed our pollinators and other wildlife!

 

You can also extend your no mow May until the end of the summer to help feed the wildlife in your garden.

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