Monaghan County Council has just completed its implementation of the Wifi4EU network across County Monaghan. This project delivers internal and external wifi in 36 public buildings, recreational spaces and community centres throughout the county. The project will allow members of the public to access public wifi throughout these locations. It is hoped that the installation of high speed broadband in these facilities will also allow community groups to facilitate online meetings and to run computer courses within their community centres.
The project -which had a capital cost of €120,000- was financed jointly by Dept. Rural & Community Development and by Wifi4EU. In all 36 sites throughout the county have been connected with high speed broadband. This has facilitated the installation of 56 wifi access points in total. These sites were chosen following an application process from community groups and other interested parties. Monaghan County Council will finance the running & maintenance costs for the network for the next three years as part of the Wifi4EU programme.
The complete Wifi network was installed by Network & Infrastructure Support Ltd. Based in County Offaly, N.I.S. has been in business for over 20 years and specialises in the delivery of IT and networking services to schools, businesses and the public sector. N.I.S. have been Cisco Meraki partners and Microsoft gold partners for some years and have established an excellent reputation for the completion of networking and wifi projects throughout the Midlands and the North East.
The Wifi network features state of the art Cisco Meraki Wifi 6 equipment which allows faster browsing and streaming services. Meraki networks also feature a number of advanced security features including web content filtering to protect users from unwelcome content. This can all be managed through a single dashboard. The delivery of broadband services to these sites was completed by multiple Telecoms operators including Vodafone, Eir and Imagine broadband. The use of different operators meant that the fastest available solution was installed in each of the sites.
Cathaoirleach Aidan Campbell commented: “At a time when fundraising capacity is limited, this project has enabled communities throughout the county to gain access to high speed broadband and to safe, secure wifi in locations throughout the county. It will empower citizens of all ages to access broadband services, to participate in digital training, complete farm applications and to engage in remote working in locations which can support video calling and video conferencing.”
This project was delivered by Broadband Officer, John McArdle, on behalf of Monaghan County Council.
Pictured are Aidan Campbell, Cathaoirleach Monaghan County Council; Gerry Buckley, CE of N.I.S., Wifi installation company; John McArdle, Broadband Officer, Monaghan County Council.
| Wifi4EU Locations |
| Ardaghey Community Centre |
| Ballybay Church Hall |
| Ballybay Library |
| Ballybay Playpark Wifi |
| Carrickasedge Community Centre |
| Carrickmacross Workhouse |
| Carrickroe Community Centre |
| Cassandra Hand Centre |
| Castleblayney Gate Lodge Meeting rooms |
| Clones Canal Stores |
| Clontibret Community Centre |
| Cloughvalley Playpark Public Wifi |
| Doohamlet Community Centre |
| Drum Protestant Hall |
| Emyvale Community Centre |
| Glaslough Oakland Centre |
| Glaslough Village |
| Greenan’s Cross Centre |
| Inniskeen Community Centre |
| Íontas Theatre & Gallery, Castleblayney |
| Lisdoonan Hall |
| Lough Egish Community Centre |
| Market House, Monaghan |
| Newbliss Acorn Centre |
| Newbliss Union Hall |
| Oram Community Hall |
| Patrick Kavanagh Centre |
| Peacelink Clones |
| Scotshouse Community Centre |
| Scotstown Community Centre |
| Sean McDermotts GAA Complex |
| Sliabh Beagh Hotel, Knockatallon |
| Smithboro Community Centre |
| St Michael’s Hall, Donaghmoyne |
| Tydavnet Community Centre |
| Tyholland Community Centre |
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