News

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  Habitats Directive (EU 92/43/EEC) Screening Assessment Determination

Appropriate Assessment for Ground Investigation Works required for the Phase 3 design of the

N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme

Monaghan County Council is working in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to develop a scheme to upgrade a 28km section of the N2/A5 Dublin- Derry Road. The proposed N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme is situated in County Monaghan between Clontibret and the Northern Ireland (NI) Border. This is an important project to enhance key North/South and Regional connectivity and to improve road safety.

Ground Investigation works are required along the proposed project route to examine soils, rock and groundwater below the surface. This information will be used to inform the design process and the Environmental Impact Assessment. Different types of Ground Investigation are proposed along the length of the proposed N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme, including;

• 239 No. Boreholes (cable percussive, rotary core and cable percussive with rotary follow-on techniques will be used);
• 262 Trial Pits;
• 59 Pavement Cores; and
• 28 Slit Trenches.

The works are planned to commence in September 2024, and will be undertaken over the course of approximately 4 months.

Monaghan County Council, in accordance with Article 6(3) of the EU Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC) and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 as amended, has undertaken Appropriate Assessment screening on the proposed N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme Ground Investigation Works to assess, in view of best scientific knowledge and the conservation objectives of the site, if the works, individually or in combination with other plans or projects, are likely to have a significant effect on a European Site(s).

It has been concluded on the basis of information provided by Jacobs Engineering Ireland in a report titled ‘N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme, Ground Investigation Works – Screening for Appropriate Assessment’ that the GI works are not connected with, or necessary to, the management of any European site(s), and individually or in combination with other plans or projects are not likely to have a significant effect on any European sites. In accordance with the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 as amended, Monaghan County Council has made a determination that Appropriate Assessment is not required for the works.

The ‘N2 Clontibret to Border Road Scheme, Ground Investigation Works – Screening for Appropriate Assessment’ report can be viewed at the offices of Monaghan County Council’s Roads & Transportation Section, Floor 2, MTEK II Building, Knockaconny, Monaghan, Monday to Friday between 9.15am and 5.15pm until the 25^th October 2024.

Dated the 21^st August 2024

Signed on behalf of the competent authority: Nicola Payne, A/ Director of Services

Transportation, Community and Rural Development

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.