Monaghan County Council has been officially announced as one of four Irish local authorities selected to join the 25 new EU URBACT Transfer Networks.
Monaghan will participate in the PARKS Transfer Network, led by Perugia, Italy — a project focused on enhancing ecosystem resilience, climate adaptation and biodiversity through comprehensive management of urban green assets. The network brings together partners from:
Bulgaria, Hungary, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine — offering Monaghan a rich pool of peer learning and shared experience.
To mark the beginning of this new European partnership, Monaghan County Council hosted an intensive two day study visit (26–27 February) with the URBACT Lead Expert, Martin Neubert, and Lead Partner representative, Laura Taramelli from Perugia. The visit which focused on the Carrickmacross/Castleblayney Municipal District, provided an introduction to Monaghan’s green infrastructure ambitions, local challenges and community-led solutions, forming the foundation for the county’s participation in the 30month network.
Speaking at Carrickmacross Civic Offices, Cathaoirleach Cllr PJ O’Hanlon welcomed the visitors and celebrated Monaghan’s achievement:
“Securing a place among the 25 new URBACT Transfer Networks is a major achievement for Monaghan. It places our county at the heart of a European collaboration focused on climate resilience and green spaces. We were honoured to welcome the Lead Expert and Lead Partner to see first-hand the commitment of our communities to protecting and enhancing our natural environment.”
The visit featured contributions from Council colleagues and community representatives, including Damien Thornton, MD Coordinator, on cocreating sustainable town centre parks and public spaces; Máire Cullinan, Executive Planner, on the Lough Muckno & Environs Masterplan; Dr Patricia McCreesh, Biodiversity Officer, on Monaghan’s biodiversity context; and Gerry Hand of Carrickmacross Tidy Towns, who spoke about community stewardship and the Eco Meadow.
Director of Services Nial O’Connor emphasised the alignment with local policy priorities:
“The PARKS Network complements our Climate Action Plan and our ambition to develop a countywide Green Infrastructure Plan. Perugia’s Good Practice offers a strong blueprint for how we can integrate nature into our towns while strengthening community participation and climate resilience.”
Site visits included Lough Muckno, Castleblayney Town Park, the Eco Meadow, and several greenspace projects.
Closing the morning session, Chief Executive Robert Burns highlighted the value of the new partnership:
“This project brings together the best of European learning with the strengths of our local communities. The study visit demonstrates how shared governance and participation can shape greener, more liveable towns. We look forward to continuing this partnership and applying the learning across the county”
Climate Action Coordinator Marc Coyle, who coordinated the visit, added:
“Perugia’s Good Practice—bringing nature into everyday places, empowering communities, and building climate resilience—speaks directly to Monaghan’s ambitions. Today’s visit helps us codesign a countywide Green Infrastructure Plan, a cornerstone of our Climate Action Plan”.
Monaghan County Council will now work with the Lead Expert and Lead Partner to develop a Transferability Study and progress the next steps of the Network, alongside launching the Monaghan URBACT Local Group in the coming weeks.