Press Releases

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Mr. Darragh O’Brien, T.D.,  has today 05 April 2024) made orders appointing Friday, 7 June 2024 as the polling day and the hours of 7.00a.m. to 10.00p.m. to be the hours of polling at the European Parliament, local and Limerick mayoral elections.

The Minister has appointed Barry Ryan, a Principal Officer in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to be the chief returning officer for the European Parliament elections.  He has also appointed returning officers for the three European Parliament constituencies in which 14 MEPs are to be elected for the 2024-2029 parliamentary term.

Mr. Fergus Gallagher, Dublin County Sheriff, will be returning officer for the 4 seat Dublin constituency. Ms. Marian Chambers Higgins, Galway County Registrar, will be returning officer for the 5 seat Midlands-North-West constituency. Mr. Martin Harvey, Cork City Sheriff, will be returning officer for the 5 seat South constituency.  The three constituencies are specified in the Electoral Amendment (Amendment) Act 2023.

European election candidate nominations

The returning officers for the three European constituencies will in the coming days give public notice of the times for receiving nominations and of the application requirements.

Local election candidate nominations

The local authority returning officers for local elections will also give public notice of the times for receiving nominations and of the application requirements.

Limerick mayoral election candidate nominations

The returning officer for the Limerick mayoral elections will also give public notice of the times for receiving nominations and of the application requirements.

Voter Registration

A person eligible to vote but not yet registered as an elector still has time to apply for entry in the  register of electors. To be eligible to vote a person must be 18 years of age or over on or before polling day and be ordinarily resident in the constituency in which you wish to vote. You must also be included on the Register of Electors.

Everyone is encouraged to check that their details are correct and up to date at checktheregister.ie.

Eligible voters who are not on the register, or who need to update their details, for example because they have moved house, can do so by submitting an online application at www.checkthereigster.ie or by submitting a form to their local authority.  Relevant application forms are available from City, County or City and County Councils (these are the registration authorities) or online at www.checktheregister.ie

Completed applications must be received by the registration authority for the area in which you reside by Monday, 20 May 2024.

If a person is eligible to vote by post, or is unable to vote in person due to an illness or disability and is resident in a hospital, nursing home, mental health facility or similar institution, and they are not on the Postal Voters List or Special Voters List, as appropriate, they can apply up to Saturday, 11 May 2024 for inclusion in those lists. Application forms are available from City, County or City and County Councils and online at www.checktheregister.ie.

Election posters

With arrangements for the 2024 local elections now set, the Minister clarified the time period during which candidates can exhibit election posters.  Candidates can only erect posters from 8 May 2024, which is 30 days before the polling date.  There is a requirement for candidates to remove all posters within 7 days of the poll.

• 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 4^th 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

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.”

26 February, 2024

The Heritage Council is now accepting applications from community groups and not for profit non-governmental organisations in Monaghan for its Community Heritage Grant Scheme 2024. All relevant information is available from the Heritage Council’s website here.

A broad range of project types are eligible for funding under the scheme including:

• Conservation works to collections, objects or places, including natural heritage projects e.g. control of invasive species or habitat restoration works; conservation works to buildings, including churches; stabilisation works to ruined structures;
• Surveys, reports, plans, and audits to inform the future management of buildings and monuments, habitats, collections, or objects.
• Accessibility projects that make heritage activities more accessible for people with disabilities e.g. building ramps, automatic doors, handrails, tactile interpretation
• Projects that help people engage more with their heritage e.g. interactive maps, videos, virtual exhibitions, podcasts, websites
• Purchase of specialised equipment e.g archival boxing for vulnerable documents, monitoring equipment for humidity or light, interpretation/multimedia equipment, specialised software
• Projects that address the heritage of minority groups e.g an oral history project documenting Traveller heritage
• Training in traditional skills and crafts e.g. workshops on skills such as roofing, thatch, dry stone walling etc.
• Citizen science projects on environmental conservation

Last year, three Monaghan-based projects were funded through the scheme – the Monaghan Tidy Towns Rooskey Lockhouse and Lock Project, the Inniskeen Enterprise Development Group’s motte and abbey survey, and the Donagh Group of Parishes awareness raising project of significant sites in the communities of Donagh, Tyholland and Errigal Truagh (photos available below). For an overview of all projects funded under the scheme in previous years, see list of 2023 recipients here and 2022 recipients here.

The minimum grant that can be requested through the scheme is €500. The maximum is €25,000.

The closing date for applications is Monday, 25th of March 2024 at 5pm. Applications must be made via the Heritage Council’s online grants management system. Funded projects must be completed by 15^th of November 2024. Full details are available here

The Heritage Council will host a Zoom information webinar on the scheme at 12 noon on the 4^th of March with general application advice followed by a question and answers session. The event will be recorded and available on our website for viewing afterwards. Registration details are available on the site above.

15 January, 2024

A special Heritage Council publication featuring stories from heritage officers in every county is being launched today to mark 25 years since the Heritage Officer Network was founded. The booklet, ‘Opening the door to Ireland’s heritage’ details one key heritage project from each local authority from the last three years which collectively, highlight the enormous contribution the Network has made to the preservation of our heritage over the last quarter of a century.

The story features details of the ‘Magic Under Monaghan’ film that grabbed the attention of young people across the county. Its aim was to explain the wonder of Monaghan’s bogs in way that was educational, but also entertaining and accessible. Young people are increasingly concerned about environmental degradation, and with that can come anxiety about the effects of climate change. The entertaining and satirical approach in the film aimed to lift the worry enough for them to see practical solutions.

The film is locally significant while addressing the overarching global themes of climate change and biodiversity loss. It clearly illustrates the values of Sliabh Beagh, the cross-border expanse of blanket bog where filming took place over five days. Talented children’s TV presenter John Sharpson presents the film and is well known as Múinteoir John from RTÉ Home School Hub. The film was distributed to all schools in the county and has assumed a pivotal role within their interpretation and educational resources. ‘Magic Under Monaghan’ was shortlisted in the Sustainable Environment & Biodiversity category in the Excellence in Local Government Awards 2023.

It can be viewed from the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru5YBcifvDQ

In a partnership between the Heritage Council and local authorities, the first heritage officers were appointed in 1999 in Kerry, Sligo and Galway with the aim of raising awareness of heritage issues within the local authority and among local communities. Since then, the heritage officer network has become synonymous with the protection and promotion of Ireland’s heritage and for the first time in 2021, every local authority in the country had appointed somebody to the role.

While highlighting the important work they do, the stories in the publication also offer a stark insight into what may have been lost were it not for the heritage officers. Mangan’s Clock in the heart of Cork city may have fallen into disrepair. The most historic buildings in Ballyshannon or Listowel may have been left derelict and allowed to crumble. The natural beach and dune habitats along the coast of Wicklow may have become irrevocably degraded and the craftsmanship of dry-stone walling on Inis Oirr may have receded.

The publication can be read in full on the Heritage Council website here:

https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/content/files/Opening-the-Door-to-Irelands-Heritage.pdf

More information about the Heritage Officer Network is available here:

https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/our-work-with-others/county-heritage-officers

Speaking on the launch of the booklet, Heritage Officer for Monaghan County Council, Kara Ward, said:

“It is deeply satisfying to see documented in this publication the influence of the Heritage Officer Network in shaping our approach to heritage conservation and protection. Although we work as individuals at local authority level, what is clear from these pages is that the real strength of the Network is in the collective. These stories cover only a snapshot of recently completed projects from current heritage officers, so when we factor in the hundreds of past projects completed since 1999, it brings into the focus the enormous impact that the Local Authority Heritage Officer Programme has had.”

Chairperson of the Heritage Council Martina Moloney added:

“I have had the pleasure of working extensively with our Heritage Officers over many years and am constantly amazed by the shear variety of their work which is excellently captured in this beautiful publication. Not only do they provide advice, guidance, and information on all aspects of heritage, but they also secure funding, undertake research, collect data, and develop and lead a multitude of highly impactful and engaging projects. Raising awareness locally, Heritage Officers inspire communities to value and take ownership of their important local heritage in all its forms. What their work achieves, ultimately, is that it opens the door to our heritage for people across Ireland and further afield, so that it can be enjoyed and appreciated by everyone.”

John Mulholland, Chair of the CCMA Rural Development, Community, Culture and Heritage (RCCH) Committee also attended the launch, and said:

“What has always stood out to me about the Heritage Officer Network is the range and number of individuals, groups and funders involved in the projects they undertake. It is very difficult to keep such a diverse range of interested parties singing off the same hymn sheet and getting the job done. This is the silent but tireless work of the Heritage Officers at play, to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude. On behalf of the CCMA, I commend them for their dedication.”

Monaghan County Council has today published its Gender Pay Gap Report, highlighting the percentage difference between what men and women are paid on average in the organisation, irrespective of roles or levels.

The 2023 report shows a Gender Pay Gap that on average, females are paid 3.01% more than males. The Median Gender Pay Gap shows that the median rate of pay for females is 13.84% higher than the median rate of pay for males.

Employers with more than 250 employees in Ireland are required to publish their gender pay gap data before the end of 2023 and within six months of their reference date. Monaghan County Council and all local authorities in the country chose 30th June 2023 as the reference date.

Publishing our gender pay gap data helps to reinforce our focus on supporting an open and inclusive workplace at Monaghan County Council.  Our organisation is a place where all employees have the same opportunities for recognition and career development and are treated fairly and equitably at work. We continue to be committed to addressing workplace barriers to equality and creating an open and inclusive workplace community. Many equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives and supports are already in place, and we will continue to work in this area.”

See the Council’s Gender Pay Gap report here: Gender Pay Gap Report 2023 (View here)

Working in local government gives people the opportunity to play a key role in the positive development of their county and community. As an employer, Monaghan County Council is committed to providing a positive and supportive environment for employees. The Council offer flexible and family friendly arrangements, blended working, and great career progression and education opportunities.

Monaghan County Council is encouraging anyone seeking a career in local government to visit our website www.monaghan.ie to find out more about the work we do.

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.