News

The Members of Monaghan County Council have initiated an Awards Scheme to recognise those individuals/groups in County Monaghan who, during 2023, have excelled in the following areas:

• Sport and Recreation
• Arts & Culture
• Youth
• Community
• Environment & Heritage

Members of the public are invited to nominate individuals/groups who they feel have excelled under any of the categories listed above.

Nomination forms and details of the Awards Scheme are available from the Corporate Services Section, Monaghan County Council, County Offices, The Glen, Monaghan (Telephone 047 30500) or can be downloaded here:

Awards Scheme 2023 Criteria

AWARDS SCHEME (Nomination Form) 2023

Closing date for return of completed nomination forms – 5.00 p.m. on Friday 16^th February 2024

Carmel O’Hare

Director of Services

25^th January 2024

 

Data Protection:

Awards Scheme Applications Privacy Notice 

Monaghan County Council and Clones Town Team are pleased to announce that funding has been allocated under the Department of Rural and Community Developments Town and Village Renewal Scheme for the Clones Streetscape Enhancement Scheme and the Fermanagh Street Streetscape Enhancement Scheme. These schemes will assist with the cost of painting/decluttering/green enhancement and replacement of shop fronts on buildings within the town of Clones.

The Clones Streetscape Enhancement Scheme applies to the following areas:

The Diamond

Monaghan Street

McCurtain Street (Part of)

Annalore Street (Part of)

Cara Street (Part of)

 

The Fermanagh Street Streetscape Enhancement Scheme applies to the following areas:

 

Fermanagh Street

Lower Fermanagh Street

 Application forms, map of selected areas and Clones Colour Scheme are available at the offices of Ballybay Clones Municipal District, Markethouse, The Diamond, Clones, Co Monaghan H23 X378 during office hours Monday – Friday 9.15am to 5.15pm or by email to emcmanus@monaghancoco.ie. It is important to clearly state which scheme you are applying for.

If the schemes are oversubscribed those applicants eligible to continue in the application process will be randomly selected.

Completed application forms are to be returned on or before the closing date of Friday 24^th February 2023 at 4.00 p.m. to:

 

Gillian Costello

Ballybay Clones Municipal District,

Markethouse,

The Diamond,

Clones,

Co Monaghan

 

Signed: Kevin McNally, Coordinator Ballybay Clones Municipal District

Dated 2^nd February 2023

 

Architectural Competition seeks innovative design solutions for creating high-quality homes in town-centre locations

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, and the President of The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, Charlotte Sheridan, today launched the ‘Town Centre Living’ Architectural Design Competition for the design of four social housing schemes, with one in each of four town centre sites across the country.

The competition aims to encourage innovative design for social housing within town centres and progress the Government’s Town Centre First policy’s objectives of compact growth and town-centre revitalisation. The competition also seeks to encourage more architectural firms to compete for social housing design projects.

Following an open invitation to, and close liaison with local authorities, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) has selected four town-centre sites that will each have a separate social housing design competition. All four competitions will run concurrently. The winning architectural practice for each competition will, in addition to prize money, be awarded the design commission for the project. The winning proposals will be progressed by the various local authorities as live projects funded by DHLGH, through to construction and delivery.

The sites are at:

• Kildare Town, Co. Kildare
• Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
• Sligo Town, Co. Sligo
• Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan

In February 2022, the Government launched Town Centre First, a major new policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. The policy is underpinned by multi-billion euro investment spread across major Government schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, Croí Conaithe (Towns) Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The policy contains 33 unique actions which will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live, work, visit and run a business. Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan to 2030, committed to publishing the policy.

The winners of the competitions are expected to be announced during Quarter 2 2023.

The Juries for the Town Centre Living Competitions will be as follows:

Castleblayney

Valerie Mulvin FRIAI (Chair)

Paul Altman MRIAI, Senior Advisor DHLGH

Lorcan MacCinna Senior Engineer Monaghan County Council

Sligo

Derek Tynan FRIAI (Chair)

Joan MacMahon MRIAI Senior Advisor DHLGH

Seán Martin MRIAI Senior Architect Sligo County Council

Kildare

Miriam Delaney MRIAI (Chair)

Gareth Williams MRIAI Architect Advisor DHLGH

David Creighton MRIAI Senior Architect Kildare County Council

Roscrea

Orla Murphy MRIAI (Chair)

John Martin MRIAI Architect Advisor DHLGH

Liam Ryan MRIAI Senior Executive Architect Tipperary County Council

 

More information on the competition can be found here.

Playground Design Workshop for Corrybrennan Park & Culbrennan Estate will take place on Saturday Feb 11th, 11am to 2pm. All Welcome.

26 January 2023. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the County and City Management Association (CCMA) are calling on land-owners to cut their hedgerows before the March 1 deadline, to ensure they are not causing a potentially serious road safety hazard.

Overgrown hedgerows and roadside verges can result in road fatalities and serious injury collisions. Properly maintained hedges also protect vulnerable road users who are not forced onto the road by overgrown hedges. It additionally affords motorists a clear view of what is in front of them or around the a bend, especially on local rural roads in the case of sightlines at junctions or obstructions to road signs.

In accordance with the Wildlife Act, it is an offence to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated or growing in any hedge or ditch, between 1st March and 31st August. There are some exceptions to this including if there are grounds to act for road safety reasons. Local authorities can and do either take direct action themselves or serve a notice on the landowner to do something in such instances.

Mr. Sam Waide, Chief Executive, RSA, said: “Landowners across the country need to be aware of the impact that overgrown hedgerows can have on other road users. They can cause a road safety hazard that could potentially result in loss of life or serious injury to another member of your community.  Road safety is a shared responsibility, and it is important that landowners remain alert and take accountability for maintaining hedgerows. We can make our roads a safer place if we all play our role and take personal responsibility for what happens on the roads.”

On behalf of local authorities, John McLaughlin, Chair of the County and City Management Association Climate Action, Transport, Circular Economy, and Networks Committee said: “Local authorities have an obligation to ensure roadside verges are maintained and that local road safety issues should be prioritised, whilst also recognising the commitments under directives to preserve hedgerows and promote biodiversity. Equally, landowners and anyone living along the roadside has a responsibility to check that hedges or trees on their property are not causing a road safety hazard. If they are, the landowners should take the necessary steps needed to ensure road safety. We are also calling on members of the public to report road safety issues caused by overgrowth to their local authority, which can then contact the landowner.”

 

Monaghan County Council is now inviting applications under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2023.

Overview

The BHIS seeks to encourage the investment of private capital in a number of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment. The scheme is designed to assist the owners and/or occupiers of structures/properties that are protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended).  It will be administered by Monaghan County Council’s Planning Section.

Eligibility

The categories of structures/properties eligible for funding under this scheme are:

• Protected Structures
• Proposed Protected Structures
• Structures/properties in Architectural Conservation Areas or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances are deemed by the Department to apply.

Funding available

The minimum funding award under this scheme will be €2,500, up to a maximum of €15,000.

Successful applicants will be required to, at a minimum, match their funding award.

The 2023 BHIS will also include ring-fenced funding of €500,000 for conservation repairs to thatched structure to maximise the availability of financial assistance to such owners, helping them offset other costs.

 

How to apply

The BHIS 2023 Circular, application form and associated information are available to download below. Hard copies are also available at Planning Reception.

BHIS Circular – BHIS 2023 Circular

BHIS Application Form – BHIS 2023 Application Form A

Guidance Booklet for Applicants – BHIS 2023 Guidance Booklet For Applicants

 

Completed applications using Form A and accompanied by a comprehensive method statement must be submitted to Angela Gallagher, Administrative Officer, Planning Section, No.1 Dublin Street, Monaghan Town, H18 X982 or emailed to builtheritage@monaghancoco.ie on or before the 31^st January 2023.

 

Data Protection

Built Heritage Investment Scheme

 

All interested groups, individuals and businesses are invited to take part in the planning of the 2023 Parade. Should you wish to be part of the planning committee, please come along and have your say. Please confirm attendance by emailing carrickmacross@monaghancoco.ie.

Initial preparations are underway.

 

A meeting will be held in Carrickmacross Civic Offices on Monday 30^th of January at 17:30.

Should you require any further information please contact Carrickmacross – Castleblayney Municipal District by email carrickmacross@monaghancoco.ie or phone 042-9661236

ATTENTION ALL DOG OWNERS

 Lambing time will soon begin again.

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

These attacks cause great cruelty and result in sheep and lambs dying from their injuries, lambs being aborted, and stock not thriving for fear of further attacks.

These attacks result in serious losses for the farmer, including veterinary fees, disposal of dead animals, the value of the dead sheep and lambs, and loss of thrive.

 

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 www.monaghan.ie

 

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

Brendan Smyth

County Veterinary Officer

26^th January 2023

 

Lambing time will soon begin again.

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

These attacks cause great cruelty and result in sheep and lambs dying from their injuries, lambs being aborted, and stock not thriving for fear of further attacks.

These attacks result in serious losses for the farmer, including veterinary fees, disposal of dead animals, the value of the dead sheep and lambs, and loss of thrive.

 

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 www.monaghan.ie

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

 

Brendan Smyth

County Veterinary Officer

26^th January 2023

Thursday, 19 January 2023 –Uisce Éireann is looking forward to a busy year ahead in County Monaghan by building on the programme of water improvement works successfully completed over the last 12 months. The utility is proud to have delivered several projects across County Monaghan to provide a more reliable water supply, improve water quality to hundreds of homes and reduce high levels of leakage.

Most recently, Uisce Éireann working in partnership with Monaghan County Council, has replaced the old and damaged water mains along Market Square and Muckno Street in Castleblaney. These works will now provide a more safe and secure water supply for homes and businesses in the town, while reducing the high level of leakage and bursts in the area.

Outlining the benefits of the works, Uisce Éireann’s National Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead, Declan Cawley said completion of the works in Castleblayney town is another step in improving Monaghan’s water network.

“The importance of replacing such ageing and damaged water mains cannot be underestimated. The works will significantly reduce the instances of bursts, eliminate existing leaks and reduce the amount of clean drinking water lost to leakage.

“The new water mains and service connections will help conserve this precious resource and improve levels of services for homes and businesses in the area now and into the future.”

 

In thanking the public for their cooperation and patience, Declan added: 

“Residents in Castleblayney will have noticed an immediate improvement in their water supply as a result of the programme of works undertaken.  We thank the locals for their patience and cooperation. We have made great progress, but we’re not finished yet. Together with Monaghan County Council we will continue to look at ways to supply smarter and reduce leakage across the county.”

Since 2018, Uisce Éireann has invested more than €500 million to upgrade the underground water network across the country through the delivery of the national Leakage Reduction Programme. We are investing a further €250 million every year up to the end of 2030 – fixing leaks and replacing pipes to provide a more reliable water supply.

For more information on the national Leakage Reduction Programme please visit www.water.ie/reducingleaks

 

Calling all interested groups/individuals and businesses to take part in the planning of the Monaghan Town St Patrick’s Day Parade.

The Parade has been very successful over the last number of years and if you want to be part of the planning committee and have your say then come along. Initial preparations are underway.

First Meeting to be held on Tuesday 24^th January at 5.30 p.m. in the Market House, Monaghan.

For further information please contact the Monaghan Municipal District Office, Glen Road, Monaghan. Phone 047 73777