Author: jmcanenly

Monaghan County Council and Monaghan Sports Partnership Welcome

Swim Ireland Pop-Up Pool to Carrickmacross

Monaghan County Council, Monaghan Local Sports Partnership and Swim Ireland are delighted to announce the arrival of a Pop-Up Pool in Carrickmacross Town. Located just 400m off the Oriel Road in Carrickmacross, adjacent to the Carrick Aces Athletic Club (Eircode – A81 DX50), the facility will be operational from the 16^th of September 2024 through to Spring 2025. “The Pool that comes to the People” is 12m by 3.4m with the water heated to a toasty 30 degrees. Housed in a hard-sided marquee, this accessible pool is the ideal place to learn to swim, hone your skills or just remember how great it feels to block out the world and dip your head in the water!

Swim Ireland are working closely with Monaghan Local Sports Partnership on delivering  a number of community-based pool programmes. The programmes are aimed at everyone from children, teens, older adults, and people with disabilities, to minority groups. Organisers are currently engaging with local schools and community groups, with bookings also now open for learn to swim sessions. Private sessions for events such as birthday parties are also available. A full breakdown of all that is on offer and details on booking arrangements is available on the Swim Ireland website at https://swimireland.ie/get-swimming/pop-up-pool/carrickmacross/

Cathaoirleach of Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District, Cllr. PJ O’Hanlon welcomed the arrival of the pop-up pool saying “this is another good news story for the people of south Monaghan and surrounding areas. I wholeheartedly welcome this amenity to the town of Carrickmacross and encourage people of all ages and abilities to avail of it use over the coming months. We are all aware of the demand for a swimming pool in Carrickmacross Town and that there is a feasibility study currently underway. The arrival of the pop-up pool recognises this fact and hopefully it is a positive indicator for what is to come in the future. I want to thank all involved for their hard work and effort in bringing the pop-up pool to Carrickmacross – Municipal District staff, the staff from Monaghan Sports Partnership and Swim Ireland. Finally, I want to pay particular mention to our Chief Executive, Mr. Robert Burns, without whom this project would not have happened,”

In welcoming the facility, Monaghan County Council Chief Executive, Mr. Robert Burns said “the arrival of the pop-up pool in Carrickmacross reinforces Monaghan County Council’s commitment to the development of sporting and amenity facilities to support the health and wellbeing of our communities. The pop-up pool presents an opportunity to learn to swim, which is such an important life skill, alongside the health and social benefits of participating in swimming. In a wider context, the arrival of the pop-up pool is particularly timely in the context of the feasibility study currently underway for the provision of a swimming pool and leisure complex in Carrickmacross Town, and the experience gained from operating the pop-up pool will help inform this assessment. The Chief Executive concluded by commending the hard work and partnership approach adopted by Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District, Monaghan Sports Partnership and Swim Ireland in delivering this project.”

Swim Ireland CEO, Ms. Sarah Keane commented “We are delighted to work with Monaghan County Council and Monaghan Sports Partnership to bring a Pop-Up Pool to Carrickmacross. Swimming is a life-skill, and one that it is vital for every child. The Pop-Up Pool is a fantastic opportunity to teach children and adults in the area to swim. We look forward to welcoming the people of Carrickmacross and surrounding areas, of all ages and abilities, to experience the pool and take advantage of the opportunities available.”

Monaghan County Council announces Public Consultation Event ‘Reimagining Monaghan’

Monaghan County Council is pleased to invite members of the public to a consultation event on Saturday 17th at Unit 12, Monaghan Shopping Centre. This event will provide an opportunity for the community to share their views and feedback on what they love about the town, and their ideas for its future including part of the St Louis Convent Site recently acquired by the Council.

As part of our commitment to community engagement and transparency, this consultation is designed to gather input from a broad range of stakeholders, including local residents, business owners, and other interested parties. The insights gathered will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the town through the development of a series of projects and actions identified through the consultation process.

During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to:

– Learn more about the project from John McLaughlin Architects and Monaghan County Council representatives.

– Provide feedback through open discussions, surveys, and Q&A sessions.

– Engage with fellow community members to discuss the potential impacts and benefits of projects

“We value the input of our community and believe that public consultation is essential in ensuring that our initiatives meet the needs and expectations of those we serve,” outlined Sean Conlon, .Cathaoirleach Monaghan Municipal District “We encourage everyone to participate and make their voices heard. It is through a shared collaborative approach from all who have the interests of the town at heart, that optimum outcomes will prevail.”

For those unable to attend, Monaghan County Council will provide alternative ways to contribute feedback, including an online survey and written submissions. Information gathered from this consultation will be carefully reviewed and considered in the final decision-making process.

For more information, please contact Katia Papkovskaia at John Mc Laughlin Architects studio@johnmclaughlin.ie.

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.