Author: jmcanenly

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.

There are lots of lambs in the fields.

Every year in Monaghan, there are many attacks on sheep by dogs, particularly around lambing time.

These attacks cause great cruelty to sheep and lambs.

These attacks result in serious losses for the farmer.

Any dog, large or small, may become involved in attacking sheep – MAKE SURE YOUR DOG DOESN’T GET THE CHANCE!

If you own a dog or dogs, you are required to:

• Keep your dog under control at all times. This means not allowing your dog off your property unaccompanied.
• Have a microchip certificate of registration which proves that your dog is microchipped and registered to you. (Required since 2016)
• Ensure that every dog under your control wears a collar bearing the name and address of the owner at all times and that the name and address are legible.
• Have a current licence for each dog in your possession or a general dog licence to cover all dogs in your possession. YOU CAN NOW BUY YOUR DOG LICENCE ONLINE AT monaghan.ie

PLEASE KEEP YOUR DOG LICENCED, TAGGED, MICROCHIPPED AND UNDER CONTROL

Brendan Smyth

County Veterinary Officer

11^th April 2024

Monaghan County Council gives notice of its intention to close the following road in the Municipal District of Monaghan in County Monaghan:

Date of Closure – 29^th April 2024 – 3^rd May 2024

Times: 8am Monday to 6pm Friday (local access only)  

To Facilitate: Uisce Éireann in the Installation of a New Manhole for a sewer connection to a new development.

Road Closed:  LS-5182 Coolshannagh Road (Ballyalbany Bridge)

Diversion Routes:

An alternative route will be signed with traffic being diverted via:

Traffic travelling north will be diverted on to the N54 national road, taking the first exit onto the N2 national road, then a left turn onto Cluain Ard (L16302)

Traffic travelling south will be diverted on to Cluain Ard (L16302), taking a right on to the N2 national road, and taking the third exit on to the N54 national road.

Any interested person may lodge an objection to the closing of the above-mentioned roads with the Head of Roads, Monaghan County Council, MTEK II Building, Knockaconny, Monaghan not later than Tuesday 16^th April 2024.  Any objections must be clearly marked on envelope “Objection To Road Closure”.

This notice complies with the Roads Act 1993 (Section 75)

Kevin West

A/Senior Engineer

11^th April 2024

Proposed new Civic Office Headquarters

Monaghan County Council recently submitted a Part VIII Planning Application for new Civic Offices located at the Rooskey Lands in Monaghan Town. The purpose of the development is to consolidate and improve Monaghan County Council’s civic facilities, office accommodation and improve our customer service offering. The project will ultimately lead to service efficiency improvements by  lowering operational costs; by eliminating current office rental arrangements and reducing the Local Authority’s energy demand. The new office accommodation will have a gross floor area of 5,601m², distributed over three tiered floors, incorporating an entrance foyer, office spaces, meeting rooms, a staff canteen, council chamber, customer service desks, welfare facilities and internal landscaped courtyards. The planning application also provides for a new Rooskey Lands access road, improved pedestrian and cycle links, a car park and all associated site development works.

The proposed Civic Offices marks the first phase of an ambitious economic development and regeneration strategy for the Rooskey Lands and Dublin Street areas. The project is aligned with the provisions of the Rooskey Master Plan and the approved Variations of the County Monaghan Development Plan. The Masterplan and approved Variations seek to regenerate an area in urban decline, generate employment and contribute to the creation of a new urban quarter, whilst integrating successfully with the established built-up area of the town and providing a consolidated home for Local Authority service provision. The project will also act as a catalyst for the regeneration of Dublin Street and its back lands, making Monaghan a better place to work, live and visit.

Some of the Key features of the Project are identified in Image 1 and described briefly below.

Pedestrian Access to Diamond Centre/Square

The project Architects Henry J Lyons, propose a number of pedestrian and cycle paths through the site linking directly to the town centre through the Diamond Car Park, Dublin Street and Old Cross Square areas.

Active Travel Access Road to Roosky Lands

The town centre site encourages sustainable modes of travel. The proposed new access to the Rooskey Lands and Civic Offices provides dedicated cycle lanes and pedestrian footpaths which link to the existing Ulster Canal Greenway, St Davnet’s Healthcare and Monaghan Harps GAA Club, promoting active modes of travel for locals and visitors. The new Rooskey Lands access road will also provide the vehicular route for people arriving to avail of Monaghan County Council services, as well as providing access to the remaining Roosky Lands for future mixed use development.

Farney Place

The Public Plaza marks the entrance to the Civic Offices and provides visitor and accessible parking spaces. Farney Place is also one of the key pedestrian spaces; connecting the proposed Dublin Street North Regeneration Plan and the future development of the Rooskey Lands.

Infirmary Hill Walk

The existing pedestrian path beside the Old Infirmary and leading to St Davnet’s HSE facility is proposed to be widened and upgraded from Old Cross Square, it will intersect with the proposed pedestrian and cycle facility on St. Davnet’s Row and on to Farney Place.

Image 1. Bird’s Eye View from Old Cross Square – The proposed new Civic Offices for Monaghan County Council will provide a modern, inclusive building which engages with the town and serves its population through an enhanced public realm design and high-quality architecture.

Image 2. Bird’s Eye View from Dublin Street North – The scale and massing of the Proposed Civic Offices has been carefully considered to provide an appropriate and sympathetic interface between the proposed site and existing properties of Dublin Street and the Apartments of The Diamond Centre.

Image 3. Approach from Diamond Square – Pedestrian movement, cycling and the creation of public spaces are defining principals of the site strategy, improving the connections with the existing network of streets and the future connections proposed in the Dublin Street North masterplan.

Image 4. Approach from proposed new Roosky Access Road – The consideration of scale started at the site edges and perimeters with the concept of three volumes being placed centrally on the site. These three volumes are interlinked and overlap each other to sit comfortably on the site, framed by a series of landscaped spaces.

Image 5. Approach from Farney Place – Farney Place is one of the key pedestrian spaces. The public plaza is designed to be flexible to allow for community events while also catering for the daily needs of customers and visitors.