Author: jmcanenly

Further good news story for the county and in particular the Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District as Monaghan County Council signs contracts for the Carrickmacross Workhouse Community, Tourism & Arts Hub, Phase 1 project and the carrying out of a Feasibility Study and Strategic Assessment for the provision of a Swimming Pool and Leisure Complex in Carrickmacross Town.

Building on Monday’s announcement of an €11 million grant allocation towards the redevelopment of the historic Market House in Castleblayney, Tuesday evening last, in the appropriate surrounds of the restored front Workhouse building, provided further cause for optimism for the wider south Monaghan area with the signing of the contracts for the Carrickmacross Workhouse Community, Tourism & Arts Hub, Phase 1 project and the Feasibility Study and Strategic Assessment for the provision of a Swimming Pool and Leisure Complex in Carrickmacross Town.

Having secured a “Category 2” (project development) grant allocation of €288,608.00, under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Monaghan County Council was pleased to award the contract for the development of a construction-ready masterplan for the Carrickmacross Workhouse site to Cooney Architects Limited.

Monaghan County Council in partnership with Farney Community Development Group (FCDG) plan to restore in full the Carrickmacross Workhouse site and develop a new multipurpose Community Hub to cement its future as a focal point and centre for social, community and arts services in Carrickmacross town and the South Monaghan area. The original Workhouse building was leased by FCDG from private developers between 2003 to 2019. During that time, and since, FCDG has secured investment of in excess of €2.2 million to restore the front building and manage the 28 no. community and social services currently based there.

The site was acquired by Monaghan County Council in 2019, to secure the future of the existing community services delivered there, develop its tourism potential and plan for the future development of a multi-sectored, community and arts hub for the south Monaghan area. The unique partnership between Farney Community Development Group and Monaghan County Council enhances citizen engagement and participation in civic activities. This is evidenced by the high level of usage of the compromised facilities that exist at present. The leadership displayed by FCDG in leasing the property in 2003 and resilience in its investment over the subsequent years, despite unsecure tenancy, is acknowledged by Monaghan County Council and supported in its decision to purchase the freehold ownership in 2019.

The project provides a holistic, planned approach to the economic and social development of the town and its hinterland, building on the investment and partnership between the Council and the community. The development of an overall plan to guide the complete restoration and redevelopment of the derelict buildings and 6-acre site for community use will transform the area and provide a sustainable template for development into the future.

The contract-signing event also marked a red-letter day for amenity provision in Carrickmacross Town and its hinterland. The absence of a swimming pool has been a long-cited gap in leisure provision in the area, and Tuesday’s formal appointment of consultancy firm S3 Solutions, to progress a feasibility study and strategic assessment for the provision of a swimming pool and leisure complex in Carrickmacross Town may transpire to be the opening gambit in addressing this deficit. Over a 20-week performance period, the Consultants will evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of providing a swimming pool and leisure complex in the county’s second largest and fastest growing town that would serve the town and the wider South Monaghan community.

It is expected that S3 Solutions will make a final recommendation on the feasibility of the proposed project to Monaghan County Council in September 2024. The information and data provided in the Feasibility Study & Strategic Assessment Report will allow the Council to make an informed and reasoned decision on whether to advance the proposed project to the next stage in the project lifecycle, preliminary business case development.

Monaghan County Council to host events in Monaghan and Castleblayney to celebrate Africa Day 2024

Monaghan County Council has announced its plans for Africa Day 2024, which will include events in Castleblayney and Monaghan to celebrate the occasion.

Africa Day celebrates the vibrancy, diversity and potential of the continent of Africa. Events will be held in every county in Ireland to mark the day that celebrates Ireland’s growing links with Africa. Africa Day celebrations are organised by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs in partnership with African embassies in Ireland and local authorities around the country.

Africa Day has a strong tradition of being celebrated in Monaghan, with 2024 seeing two large events being organised in County Monaghan. An event titled “Strength in Diversity “ will be held on Thursday 23^rd May from 6pm to 9pm at the Íontas Centre in Castleblayney. The event, which is being organised by LINC Society Ltd, will have an array of entertainment on offer including African Dance, henna design making workshop, a Cultural Exhibition and African food.

The second event to mark Africa Day 2023 will take place on Saturday 25^th May at Teach na nDaoine Family Resource Centre, with activities commencing at 2pm. The event will include African music, dance, food and traditional dress.

Commenting, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council Cllr. David Maxwell, said: “I am delighted that Monaghan is celebrating Africa Day once again. Africa Day showcases the range of positive relationships that exist between Ireland and Africa and the importance of our strong and effective partnerships. African people have made a hugely positive impact on their communities and on Irish society. I would like to commend both Monaghan County Council and Irish Aid for their role in this worthy initiative.

I would also encourage people to come along to the events in Castleblayney on May 23^rd and in Monaghan on May 25^th to join in the celebrations. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the two organisers, LINC Society Ltd. and Teach na Daoine who continue to do so much to celebrate all that is great about African cultures and traditions in Monaghan”.

This year will see Ireland’s largest-ever Africa Day programme, with events being held nationwide, with the largest event being planned at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, Dublin.

Minister for International Development and Diaspora, Sean Fleming TD, said: “I am delighted to launch the programme for Africa Day 2024. Ireland has growing trade, political and cultural links across the continent of Africa. Africa Day is an opportunity to promote those links and learn more about the diversity and vibrancy of African cultures. The Department of Foreign Affairs is delighted to work with local authorities around Ireland, including Monaghan,  on a nationwide programme of events.

For more information visit www.AfricaDay.ie and Monaghan County Council’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Contact: Barry Eaton, Monaghan County Council. Tel: 086 3134557.

This funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in communities, towns and villages that are hosting the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants (‘new arrivals’) including towns identified for the rapid build homes programme. The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. It is separate in its objectives and scope to any other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the significant number of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.

The proposal must demonstrate that the funding is targeted at, and specifically invested in, those communities, villages and towns where the highest level of new arrivals are located and where there is a clear need for investment identified.  In Monaghan the areas with the highest number of new arrivals from Ukraine and other countries are: Monaghan, Carrickmacross, Clones and Ballybay.

Projects situated in areas that do not have high levels of new arrivals will not be eligible for funding under the Community Recognition Fund 2024.

Type of projects eligible for funding are:

• development, enhancement or refurbishment of community or cultural facilities including play areas, walkways, parks, community/sensory gardens, allotments, and recreational areas;
• development, enhancement or refurbishment of local club and sports facilities including facilities such as community swimming pools, changing rooms, toilets, digital aids such as score / information boards etc.;
• enhancement to school/parish facilities which are open to use by all of the community after school hours;
• purchase of equipment for local clubs, festivals, community events and organisations e.g. music, arts or sports equipment;
• transport infrastructure such as the purchase of community vehicles, bus shelters and attendant information boards; (any vehicle funded must be in good condition and not more than 5 years old)
• projects that help address dereliction and/or wider local economic and community development objectives;
• purchase and refurbishment of vacant or derelict buildings for community use where a clear need is identified.
• Purchase of land and associated works for the development of community facilities such as play areas/ MUGAs or town parks/ community gardens, recreational areas etc. (purchases must only be administered by the local authority).

The minimum level of funding for an individual project is €50,000 with a maximum of €500,000 applying.

If you have a proposed project that is suitable for submission under the Community Recognition Fund and demonstrates the ability to be of benefit to the wider community, can be completed within the required timeframes and is within the identified areas, further information can be downloaded from https://monaghan.ie/communitydevelopment/2024/04/05/community-recognition-fund-2024/

Information Sessions

As part of the process, the Council’s Rural and Community Development & Municipal District Staff will be liaising with and available to meet with community groups in host communities to assist them in identifying projects that might be eligible for funding under the Scheme.

Information Sessions will be held on the following dates:

• Clones – Monday 15^th April 2024 from 4.30 p.m. until 6.30 p.m. in the offices of the Municipal District of Ballybay/Clones, The Diamond, Clones
• Carrickmacross – Tuesday 16^th April 2024 from 6.00 p.m. until 8.00 p.m. in the offices of the Municipal District of Carrickmacross/Castleblayney, Riverside Road, Carrickmacross
• Monaghan – Wednesday 17^h April 2024 from 5.00 p.m. until 7.00 p.m. in the Market House, Market Street, Monaghan
• Ballybay – Thursday 18^th April 2024 from 6.30 p.m. until 8.30 p.m. in the Board Room, Ballybay Youth Centre, Birch Court, Ballybay

As in previous years, applications will be assessed on a competitive basis.

Please ensure that you have fully completed the application form before submitting.

All Expressions of Interest applications should be received no later than 4.00 p.m. on Wednesday 1^st May 2024 by email to crf@monaghancoco.ie

Late application’s will not be considered after the closing date.