Major Tourism Initiatives for County Monaghan as new Tourism Strategy announced and Tourism and Recreation Forum established

  • Development of Tourism Strategy for County Monaghan 2023-2028
  • Establishment of formalised voluntary forum of key tourism and recreation stakeholders to support the delivery of the strategy.

 

Cllr David Maxwell, Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council, officially launched the new Tourism Strategy for County Monaghan 2023 – 2028 at an event in the Council Chamber in Monaghan on Thursday 4th April.

The strategy comes at a time when there are significant challenges in the tourism industry and it identifies a series of actions which are designed to enhance the potential of tourism as a key driver of County Monaghan’s economy. The integrated forum structure is anticipated to become an enabler for the coordinated delivery of tourism products, services and experiences to realise the ambition of the strategy.

Speaking at the launch, Cllr Maxwell stated that ‘Today is just the start of a significant journey for tourism in the county. Monaghan has fantastic potential as a tourist destination but it requires further development of, and investment into facilities and experiences to drive job creation and economic benefit. Monaghan County Council has committed to this process by developing this strategy, by adding additional resources to our Tourism Unit and by establishing a Tourism & Recreation forum to help drive progress. We look forward to working with stakeholders and industry partners as we implement this strategy.”

In attendance at the strategy launch was Matt Mohan, Independent Chair of the new Tourism & Recreation Forum for Monaghan who hosted the inaugural meeting of the forum immediately after the strategy launch.

In his speech, Matt Mohan, said that as a proud Monaghan man, he was ‘honoured to be asked to spearhead this initiative and to work in partnership with key stakeholders to unlock Monaghan’s tourism potential. I am committed to adding value wherever I can, assisting with the challenges ahead and driving the forum forward while maintaining a focus on sustainability and a greener future’.

Robert Burns, CE of Monaghan County Council added that ‘The vision for Monaghan is to create a sustainable, engaging destination which will provide authentic, place-based visitor experiences. To this end, we have developed an ambitious strategy and have established a mechanism which will support us in achieving it. I’m confident that we have an experienced forum team now in place to provide the necessary momentum to alter the trajectory of Monaghan’s tourism economy’.

 

For more information please contact:

Dympna Condra, Tourism Officer, Monaghan County Council

dcondra@monaghancoco.ie

 

HSE – Urgent Public Health Alert – MMR vaccination

The Department of Public Health HSE Dublin and North East wishes to advise members of the public about the risk of measles infection to non-immune individuals in the Dublin and North East region.

Since the beginning of March a small number of confirmed measles cases have been notified to Public Health HSE Dublin and North East. In view of these cases occurring in this short period of time there is a risk of on-going community spread.

Following the most recent notification of a confirmed measles case at the end of March, we wish to advise that members of the public may have been exposed to measles while:

  • travelling on Go Ahead bus route 238 (Dublin 15) on Tuesday 26th March 2024 afternoon from 14:00-16:00 hours or
  • travelling on Dublin Bus route 38A from Blanchardstown to O’Connell St. on Tuesday 26th March 2024 in the early evening from 16:30-19:00 hours

 

Action needed:

  1. Be aware of signs and symptoms of measles for 21 days (i.e. 16th April 2024) from the time of possible exposure.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in children under one year of age, pregnant women, and the immunosuppressed. If you are in one of these groups, please seek advice from your GP.

If you travelled on these bus routes during the dates and times above, it is especially important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles, which include:

    • Cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing and a cough
    • Sore red eyes
    • A temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above
    • Rash, which usually appears on head and neck first and spreads to rest of body

If you have these symptoms, please seek medical advice. Phone ahead prior to attending any healthcare setting to let them know that you have these symptoms, so they can make necessary arrangements.

  1. Ensure you are vaccinated.

If you are not vaccinated against measles with two doses of MMR, please contact your GP as soon as possible during normal working hours to discuss whether you require vaccination.

If you were born in Ireland before 1978 or had measles illness, you are unlikely to require vaccination, as you are probably immune.

The best way to protect yourself and those around you against measles is by MMR vaccination. This can be arranged free of charge with your GP (focus on children) or in the HSE vaccination clinics for children (over the age of 5 years) and adults for whom vaccination is indicated– the times and locations are listed on the following web link:  MMR vaccine Catch-up Programme – HSE.ie

Children should receive their first dose of MMR vaccine at one year of age and a second dose in junior infants at 4-5 years of age.

Further information about measles is available at: https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/measles/

Contact HSE live for further information on measles (Freephone 1800 700 700)

This alert relates to the specific dates outlined above. We are not asking people to avoid these bus routes.

 

NOTICE PUBLISHING COMMENCEMENT OF AUDIT MONAGHAN COUNTY COUNCIL

Notice is hereby given that the audit of the accounts of the above-named local government organisation for the financial year ended on 31st day of December 2023, will be commenced by Martin White, Local Government Auditor, on the 10th April 2024  In accordance with article 17 of the Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014, objections to any matter or matters contained in the said several accounts will be considered by the Local Government Auditor during the audit.

Written notice of any proposed objection, setting out the relevant particulars and grounds on which it is to be made, should be sent to the above Local Government Auditor at Monaghan County Council, The Glen, Monaghan, within ten days of the commencement of the audit.

The annual financial statement will be available during office hours for the inspection of all persons for a period of seven days before the commencement of the audit.

 

Dated this 4th day of April 2024

Robert Burns

Chief Executive

 

Notice Publishing Commencement of Audit

NOTICE PUBLISHING COMMENCEMENT OF AUDIT

MONAGHAN COUNTY COUNCIL

 

Notice is hereby given that the audit of the accounts of the above-named local government organisation for the financial year ended on 31st day of December 2023, will be commenced by Martin White, Local Government Auditor, on the 10th April 2024  In accordance with article 17 of the Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014, objections to any matter or matters contained in the said several accounts will be considered by the Local Government Auditor during the audit.

Written notice of any proposed objection, setting out the relevant particulars and grounds on which it is to be made, should be sent to the above Local Government Auditor at Monaghan County Council, The Glen, Monaghan, within ten days of the commencement of the audit.

The annual financial statement will be available during office hours for the inspection of all persons for a period of seven days before the commencement of the audit.

Dated this 4th day of April 2024

Robert Burns

Chief Executive

 

FÓGRA LENA bhFOILSÍTEAR TÚS AN INIÚCHTA

COMHAIRLE CONTAE MHUINEACHÁIN

 

Tugtar fógra leis seo go gcuirfidh Martin White, Iniúchóir Rialtais Áitiúil, tús leis an iniúchadh ar chuntais na heagraíochta rialtais áitiúil thuasluaite don bhliain airgeadais dar críoch an 31 Nollaig 2023 ar an 10 Aibreán 2024. De réir airteagal 17 de Rialacháin 2014 maidir le Rialtais Áitiúla (Nósanna Imeachta Airgeadais agus Iniúchta, breithneoidh an tIniúchóir Rialtais Áitiúil agóidí in aghaidh aon ní atá sna cuntais éagsúla sin le linn an iniúchta.

Ba cheart fógra scríofa maidir le haon agóid bheartaithe, ina leagtar amach na sonraí agus na forais ábhartha ar a ndéanfar an agóid, a chur chuig an Iniúchóir Rialtais Áitiúil thuasluaite ag an seoladh Comhairle Contae Mhuineacháin, An Gleann, Muineachán, laistigh de 10 lá ó thús an iniúchta.

Beidh an ráiteas airgeadais bliantúil ar fáil le linn uaireanta oifige lena iniúchadh ag gach duine ar feadh tréimhse 7 lá roimh thús an iniúchta.

Arna dhátú an 4 Aibreán 2024

Robert Burns

Príomhfheidhmeannach

Road users warned of the consequences of drug driving this Easter

Monaghan County Council together with An Garda Síochána are highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

 

Drug driving remains a problem in Ireland with estimations that it’s a factor in approximately one in ten fatal crashes. Drug driving not only puts the driver at risk but also passengers and others who share the road.

 

The age profile of drivers providing blood and urine specimens nationally in the 25- to 44-year-old brackets continues to contribute to the greatest percentage of arrested drivers.  The number of male drivers (85%) required to provide a breath specimen exceeds the number of female drivers (15%) by a ratio of nearly 6:1.

Sergeant Niall Leech from the Monaghan Roads Policing Unit spoke of the importance of roadside drug testing by Gardaí. “The test, which involves a mouth swab, is easy to carry out and within minutes will tell if a driver has drugs in their system. This screening device is an important tool in the identification of drug drivers, ensuring our roads are safer for everyone to use. A small quantity of drugs can seriously affect a driver’s motor skills, balance and co-ordination, reaction time, and judgment on the roads, putting not only the driver at risk, but also passengers and other road users in danger”.

 

Adrian O’Sullivan, Road Safety Officer with Monaghan County Council added “Drivers with medical conditions should continue to take their prescribed medications in accordance with healthcare advice and medical fitness-to-drive guidelines. If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines under the advice of your doctor or pharmacist, providing those medicines don’t impair your driving, you have nothing to be concerned about. If you are in any doubt, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.  I would appeal to all road users to take care when using the roads over the Easter break and to never to drive whilst under the influence of any intoxicant”.

Drivers found abusing drugs such as cannabis or cocaine face a minimum disqualification of not less than 1 year for the first offence and not less than 2 years for the second or subsequent offence, a fine of up to €5,000 and up to six months in prison. The disqualification rises to a minimum of 4 years for a first offence and 6 years for a second or subsequent offence if a driver is found to have drugs in their body and their driving is impaired.

As of 27th March 2024, a total of 54 people have been killed on the country’s roads, an increase 12 compared to the same period in 2023. None of these fatalities have occurred in County Monaghan.

Comhairle Contae Mhuineacháin Monaghan County Council – DERELICT SITES ACT 1990

Notice pursuant to Section 15 (1) (a) of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 (as amended)

NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ACQUIRE DERELICT SITE COMPULSORILY, UNDER THE DERELICT SITES ACT 1990, AS AMENDED

To: Owner/occupier of Derelict Structure: Derryveagh, Carrickroe, Co. Monaghan – Folio MN23422F

Notice is hereby given that Monaghan County Council (hereinafter referred to as the “Local Authority”), in exercise of the powers conferred on them by Section 14 of the Derelict Sites Act 1990, as amended, intends to acquire compulsorily, under the said Act, the derelict site described hereunder.

A map of the said derelict site has been deposited at the Planning Offices of Monaghan County Council, No. 1 Dublin Street, Monaghan, H18 X982 and may be inspected there during its public opening hours Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.

Any owner, lessee or occupier (except a tenant for a month) may, on or before 02 May 2024, submit to the Local Authority an objection to the proposed compulsorily acquisition of the derelict site.  Any such objection must be in writing stating the grounds of the objection and addressed to the Local Authority at Town Regeneration Office, Monaghan County Council, No. 1 Dublin St, Monaghan H18 X982.

The Derelict Sites Act, 1990 (as amended) provides that if an objection is made to the proposed compulsory acquisition of a derelict site and the objection is not withdrawn, the derelict site shall not be acquired compulsorily by the Local Authority without the consent of An Bord Pleanála.

Description of Derelict Site proposed to be acquired:

 Derelict site at Derryveagh, County Monaghan, situate in the Chapel Court estate, Carrickroe comprising of a large two storey fronted building with concrete floors in a shell state, originally designed for two shop units and two overhead apartments; house numbers 3, 4 and 9 in an adjoining terrace of three-bedroom 2 storey dwellings, together with rear area of approximately 2 acres where foundations have been laid out for 16 semi-detached houses.

 

Dated this 28th March 2024

Signed: Cathal Flynn

Director of Services

Planning, Economic Development

Monaghan County Council

Easter Fun Hunt – Monaghan has it

WIN A €50 MONAGHAN TOWN VOUCHER 🌟

Pick up your Easter Fun Hunt clue sheet from @rocksofmonaghan, @dinkinsbakery & @soundqualitygifts or you can print your own through the link in our bio 🔍 Work out the clues on the sheet to reveal which businesses have numbered eggs hidden in their windows.

Fill the numbers in on the sheet and return it to Rocks, Dinkins or Sound Quality or email it to info@monaghanhasit.ie by 7th April to be in the draw to win a €50 Monaghan Town voucher 💸

Suitable for all ages and a fun reason to get out of the house over the Easter break. Enjoy! 🐣

Easter Fun Hunt clue sheet also available to print at home here: A4 Easter Fun Hunt (6)

#mymonaghan #monaghanhasit #monaghantown #easterfun #supportlocal #monaghantownvoucher

Monaghan Delegation’s Visit to New York for the St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

For the first time in five years, an official delegation from Monaghan County Council visited New York for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. The delegation was led by Cathaoirleach Councillor David Maxwell accompanied by the Chief Executive who met with members of the Monaghan Diaspora in New York. They held a series of meetings with key strategic partners and participated in events to showcase all that County Monaghan has to offer economically and culturally as well as promoting the county as a place to visit, invest and do business.  The official delegation from Monaghan County Council which also included Liam Bradley, Curator of the Monaghan County Museum, was joined on the visit by members of Monaghan GAA, including chairperson, Declan Flanagan and vice chairperson Brendan Casey, along with representatives of Enterprising Monaghan, Finbarr Daly CEO and board member, Paul Shortt.  A number of prominent businesspeople from County Monaghan were also present on the trip, including Martin McVicar, Managing Director of Combilift; Ciaran Marron, CEO of Activ8 Energies; Sammy Leslie, Owner of Castle Leslie and Trustee of the Leslie Foundation; Michael Mullan, Director of Mullan Lighting; Simon Murray, Director of CameraMatics, and; Barry Murray, Director of Universal Graphics.

 

The centrepiece event of the visit was the inaugural meeting of the Monaghan – New York Business Network which was held on 15th March, in which business and civic leaders from New York, the wider USA, Monaghan and other parts of Ireland came together to explore opportunities for business investment, job creation and tourism in Monaghan. It was also an opportunity for Monaghan-based businesses to look at the potential of investing in or exporting to the USA. Many Monaghan businesses already have a presence in the USA and the event presented an opportunity for them to strengthen their links with clients and customers and potentially expand in the US market.

The first of what it is hoped will be many meetings of the Monaghan – New York Business Network took place at the NYC Hub Bank of Ireland at 2 Grand Central Tower in Manhattan. The event was attended by over 100 guests including business and civic leaders from the County Monaghan delegation and a wide range of people in business or active in the community based in New York who are from Monaghan, are of Monaghan descent or who simply have an affinity with the county.  The MC for the event was Finbarr Daly, CEO of Enterprising Monaghan.

Martin McVicar who is Managing Director and co-founder of Combilift in Monaghan town and Ciaran Marron, CEO and founder of Activ8 Solar Energies in Carrickmacross attended the event and spoke about starting out in business and their positive experience of setting up and expanding their businesses in Monaghan and highlighting to the audience that being a very enterprising county, Monaghan is an excellent location to invest and in which to do business. Ciara Gormley, SEO Manager at Justworks, who is based in New York and originally from Castleblayney, spoke of her experience of being in business in the city and her career journey from County Monaghan to the USA. Also present at the event was Aidan McKenna, Enterprise Ireland Regional Director for the Americas, who is based in New York and originally from Emyvale.

The event was addressed by the Cathaoirleach Cllr David Maxwell and Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council who both emphasised the benefits of doing business in the county. They introduced a video that that showcased a range of successful businesses in the advanced manufacturing, agri-food and renewable energy sectors that are already located in Monaghan. Thereby demonstrating why County Monaghan is a great business location, providing access to a strong cluster of existing industries, a culture of entrepreneurship, a well-educated workforce and a gateway to the EU and the UK markets.

The cultural partnership between Project Children and Monaghan County Council was also promoted at the event and present was Denis Mulcahy, the Co-founder and Chairman of Project Children, his family and ambassadors for the project in the USA. This recently announced cultural partnership between Project Children and Monaghan County Council will see Project Children’s archive hosted at the Peace Campus in Monaghan town. The 50th anniversary of the founding of Project Children will be celebrated in Monaghan next year.

The event was organised by Catherine Flood and Linda Croston of Croston Flood Recruiting, Consulting and Events, a firm based in New York. Catherine Flood is well known in New York business circles and is originally from Truagh in County Monaghan.

Commenting on the event and the visit by the wider Monaghan delegation, Cathaoirleach, Councillor David Maxwell, said, “I am delighted with the turnout at the business network event which was a huge success with a lot of positive feedback and I hope that it will be the first of many such events that will help strengthen social, economic and cultural ties between Monaghan and New York. It was a massive boost to have businesspeople of the calibre of Martin McVicar and Ciaran Marron speak to the audience at the event about their positive experience of doing business in County Monaghan and to be accompanied on this visit by a range of impressive people doing great work in business, sporting and cultural life in Monaghan.”

There was a busy schedule of meetings and events for the Monaghan County Council and the Enterprising Monaghan delegations, including meetings with Irish state agencies based in New York including the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland, as well as a meeting with the Irish Consulate in New York.

During the visit, the wider Monaghan delegation met with the Monaghan Society and representatives of Rocklands GAA Club in New York State in order to renew and strengthen social, sporting and cultural links with the Monaghan community based in New York. The wider Monaghan delegation also had the privilege of attending the traditional St. Patrick’s Day mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and marching with the Monaghan Society in the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the longest-running parade in the world celebrating Ireland’s patron saint and all things Irish.

Robert Burns, Chief Executive of Monaghan County Council, said, “We are extremely happy with our visit to New York and what we have achieved over what was a busy few days.  We have renewed and strengthened ties with the Monaghan community based in New York and promoted County Monaghan as a premier location for inward investment and as an ideal base for US companies to launch into both the EU and UK. Coupled with that we envisage that Monaghan businesses will continue to grow their exports to the US with the support of the Irish State agencies based there.”

 

 

Expression of Interest Homeless Accommodation

Monaghan County Council is seeking expressions of interest from Proprietors of Guest Accommodation/Hotels who wish to have their facility or rooms therein, included in the Council’s list of retained Emergency Accommodation for homeless families and individuals.

Family and single rooms may be required to meet emergency accommodation needs as they arise.

Proprietors will:

  • Provide catering and laundry facilities for clients.

Monaghan County Council will:

  • Nominate clients as required.
  • Pay agreed fee.

Accommodation may be required in the following areas primarily:

  • Monaghan
  • Carrickmacross

Submissions should detail:

  • type of accommodation,
  • number of rooms to be included,
  • confirm availability for check in times.
  • price per night/week/month and
  • confirm catering and laundry facilities availability.
  • Details of compliance with Fire and Building Control Regulations

 

Expressions of Interest should be submitted to housing@monaghancoco.ie.ie for the attention of the A/Senior Executive. Closing date  5pm 12th April 2024

Note: Monaghan County Council may contact accommodation providers directly to source accommodation and negotiate rates whether or not providers have responded to this EOI.

 

 

Public Consultation Event BALLYBAY TO CASTLEBLAYNEY (B2C) GREENWAY – PREFERRED ROUTE OPTION CONSULTATION

The Route Options Selection for the Ballybay to Castleblayney Greenway has now been completed and the Preferred Route Option has been developed.  A Public Consultation will open from the 14th of March 2024, for a period of 4 weeks, to the 11th of April 2024. Maps indicating the Preferred Route can be viewed at the lin below. Landowners, local communities, and the general public are invited to review the Preferred Route and to discuss with the project team.

You can view the Preferred Route Option that has been develop on the website at

https://monaghan.ie/ballybay-to-castleblayney-b2c-greenway/

 Should you wish to make an observation or comment in relation to the Preferred Route Option, you can make a submission on the website at https://ballybaycastleblayney.ourgreenway.ie/

 Should you have any other queries in relation to the Ballybay to Castleblayney Greenway, please contact the Ballybay & Clones Municipal District on 047-51018