Latest news with #DepartmentofRuralandCommunityDevelopment
Irish Independent
13 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Baltinglass public realm works could last up to a year
Wicklow County Council was initially awarded €3.5 million in 2019 under the Rural Development Fund, however a delay in starting the works meant the cost of the original estimate had risen considerably. The project will allow for improvements to accessibility, enhancements to the public realm and upgrades to the town park. Works will include the re-allocation of road space, the laying of new high-quality paving and kerbs along the footpaths, enhanced lighting tree planting and landscaping alongside associated drainage works, installation of ducting and the undergrounding of overhead cables. Administrator Liam Cullen informed the June meeting of Baltinglass Municipal District of a report compiled by town regeneration officer Stephen Clarke, which outlined that tender documents have been issued to the Department of Rural and Community Development. It's expected a decision will be made by the middle of July. Once a contractor is appointed, the works will take up to a year to be completed.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Man arrested after a number of locations in Westport defaced with graffiti
Locations in Altamount Street, the urban greenway and the town centre were among those defaced between 11.30pm Monday June, 23, and 1.30am on Tuesday June 24. An anti-graffiti project delivered by Westport Tidy Towns and funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development was also defaced. Photos of the damage have circulated on social media and have been widely condemned, with local councillor Peter Flynn branding the culprits as 'brain dead idiots'. Speaking to the Irish Independent this morning (Wednesday), Cllr Flynn said similar smaller incidents of illicit graffiti have occurred in the west Mayo town in recent years, but 'nothing as bad as this'. The Westport Tidy Towns committee have won several national awards for the upkeep of the town. The Clew Bay town also scored favourably in a recent Irish Business Against Litter survey. Westport Tidy Towns have already undertaken work to remove the paint 'We will not be deterred by wonton vandalism,' Westport Tidy Towns said in a statement on Facebook. An Garda Síochána Mayo described the vandalism as 'deeply upsetting.' 'Westport is well known for its long and proud tradition of being involved in the Tidy Towns - this is due to the strong community spirit and voluntary efforts of local residents, businesses, and those working with Mayo County Council who together - make our town a beautiful and welcoming place to both live and visit.' Anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the locality between the hours of 11.30pm Monday June, 23, and 1.30am on Tuesday June 24 is asked to contact Westport Garda Station by phone or in person. Gardaí are currently examining CCTV footage as part of their investigation. They have asked anyone with dashcam or doorbell footage captured when the alleged criminal damage occurred to make it available to them. 'Our message is very clear- incidents of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour of this nature, will not be tolerated, and will be fully investigated.'
Irish Independent
17-06-2025
- Irish Independent
'Habitual vandalism' threatening to spoil €1m project in New Ross town centre
Despite funding of almost €1m going towards its rejuvenation Brennan's Lane in New Ross continues to be a centre for anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Commencing in 2024, the laneway underwent a comprehensive refurbishment to enhance safety, accessibility, and vibrancy. The project was funded by a €500,000 grant from the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and was further supported by match funding from Wexford County Council, with the backing of the elected members, bringing the total investment to €891,000. However, at the June meeting of the New Ross Municipal District (NRMD) Councillor Michael Sheehan said there were some who cared little for the new facilities. 'I want to condemn the anti-social behaviour and vandalism at Brennan's Lane, this has become a habitual issue now,' he said. 'The neighbouring businesses have to go down and take the plants off the roof every evening, because they've been ripped out of it several times. Having spent the amount of money that we did there this is disgraceful behaviour.' Cllr Sheehan received support from Cllr John Fleming who urged the district office to ensure the area was kept in good condition.
Irish Independent
14-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Nature Trail: 'If you Love This Place, Leave No Trace'
Furthermore, there is significant medical evidence that spending time out-of-doors is good for both your mental and physical health: it boosts vitamin D production, reduces stress and fatigue, promotes better sleep, and is the best free medicine available. However, there are downsides to more people spending more time outdoors; it can lead to an increase in traffic, litter, noise, water pollution, disturbance to vegetation, wildlife, livestock and other people. Leave No Trace Ireland is a not-for-profit organisation committed to promoting responsible outdoor recreation through education, research, and partnerships. Its principles are widely adopted across Ireland's outdoor, tourism, and conservation sectors. Recently, the organisation launched its Love This Place 2025 campaign to protect Ireland's outdoors and called on all of us to come together to protect our rich natural landscapes, so we can all enjoy them responsibly as we head into the summer season. Now in its fifth year, the national awareness campaign is supported by partners including the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, the Office of Public Works, Coillte, Sport Ireland, Waterways Ireland, and several Local Authorities all dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship. With more people than ever seeking connection with nature - through hiking, swimming, dog-walking and exploring - this year's 'Love This Place' campaign reinforces the simple message: 'If you love this place, leave no trace.' If you are in wild places the advice is to stick to marked trails and stay on paths to avoid damaging habitats or disturbing animals, both seen and unseen. Bring all litter home, don't feed wild animals, and watch wildlife from a safe distance. Dog owners are asked to be responsible with their pets: keep them on a lead, especially around farm animals and wildlife, and always clean up after them.
Irish Independent
31-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Good news for Cork book lovers in three key towns as library open hours expand to year-round service
The My Open Library service enables registered users to access a library from 8 am to 10 pm, 365 days a year, even when it's not staffed. The service was already available at Bandon and Fermoy libraries and Cork County Council has now rolled it out to three more locations with plans to add Mallow later in the year. Funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) and Cork County Council, the My Open Library installation at Carrigaline, Kinsale, and Mallow Libraries has generated a 145% increase in the number of available service hours to the community at each location, rising from 40 hours to 98 hours per week. Speaking at the launch, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities and with responsibility for Rural Transport, Jerry Buttimer TD, said: 'It is fantastic to see that the service is currently available in 23 of our 30 library authorities and I must praise our library authorities and library staff for being so progressive in meeting the needs of their communities. Our public libraries are a home-from-home for our elderly, our young people, and our new communities and now they will be able to avail of those services every day of the year, from morning till night.' Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell, said: "The expansion is a strategic ambition for Cork County Council's Library & Arts Service which aims to improve access, use and visibility of the library as a community hub, and as a focal point for community and cultural development. The success of My Open Library is in the flexibility that it offers communities to visit their local library at a time that works for them. More than 50,000 visits have been made to Bandon and Fermoy libraries outside of regular library opening hours since 2022 with increased usage by students, remote workers, families, older adults and community groups.' The launch of the My Open Library service coincided with the opening of the newly refurbished Carrigaline Library. The upgrades include a young adult zone with relaxed seating, a remodelled children's area with more books and children's worktables for homework, crafts and games, and comfortable seating in the windows for reading and watching the world go by. The multifunction community meeting room can be booked for use during the day and in the evening during My Open Library hours. Bike racks have also been installed outside to facilitate sustainable travel. 'Libraries are at the heart of our towns and villages, providing so much more than books,' Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Joe Carroll said, adding: 'They are community hubs and safe spaces to study, learn and work. The newly refurbished Carrigaline Library is a bright, welcoming, modern, high-tech space that has a place for everyone." Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
