Forum Newsletter Winter 2014

ISSUE NO. 42WINTER 2014

NEWSLETTERFREE

2014 has seen the completion of two of the biggest projects under the RuralDevelopment Programme for Ireland (2007-2013) in the FORUM region. Bothprojects are iconic in their own rights. They are at either ends of the territoryand are the result of significant community and voluntary effort over the lastnumber of years.

The Oughterard Courthouse has beenrefurbished and renovated to a veryhigh standard and is now acommunity resource secured forfuture generations. There was asubstantial amount of workundertaken as the building was in avery poor state. It is a building ofunique cultural and heritage valueand commands a prominent positionin the streetscape.

The total grant secured by theOughterard Courthouse Restoration andHeritage Company Limited was nearly€500,000.

These complex infrastructural and conservation projects were completedon time and on budget by what are for the most part voluntary communitygroups. Without the effort of these groups and some support from FORUMthe integrity of the structures would be uncertain for future generations.

The Connemara West Centre in Letterfrack was the otherproject to receive substantial funding of €321,564.36. This isalso a building of significant heritage, architectural and inmore recent time’s, social value as a community andeducation space. The funding was used to conserve andrefurbish the roof and windows of the structure. This hasagain secured the fabric of the building for future generations.

FORUM Newsletter Winter 2014_FORUM Newsletter Summer 2011 final 09/12/2014 16:29 Page 1

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Paving the Way, together with the Connemara Pony Breeders Society, theConnemara Therapeutic Riding Association and FORUM, hosted a fun eventat Errislannan Manor on 15th October as part of County Galway SocialInclusion Week. The idea was to promote and raise awareness in thecommunity of the benefits of therapeutic riding (TR) for people withdisabilities of all ages. This event was enjoyed by a diverse group of peopleincluding a group of school children from Ballyconneely N.S., along with theirprincipal, Conor O’Brolcháin. They were joined by some young people fromCriost Linn in Clifden and ARC in Galway.The participants enjoyed a number of activities during the day - they got upclose to the ponies in the yard and literally left their mark by doing some pony painting and grooming. Theyexperienced a therapeutic riding (TR) session and even went on a sensory trail through the grounds ofErrislannan Manor, followed by a fun Halloween treasure hunt in the garden. Hearty soup, scones andrefreshments for were provided to all by volunteers from Paving the Way. Jean Mullan

In October FORUM workers attended an ILDN (Irish LocalDevelopment Network) Showcase Event – Local DevelopmentCompanies Combating Poverty & Social Exclusion in conjunctionwith the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Theconference in the F2 Centre Dublin was attended by Ann PhelanTD, Minister of State for Rural Economic Development, whoofficially launched the ILDN Booklet: “Local DevelopmentCompanies Combating Poverty & Social Exclusion”. Each company,including FORUM, provided a case study outlining their work inthe area of social inclusion and anti-poverty measures. There werepresentations on social policy and the impacts of poverty andsocial exclusion in Ireland and Europe.

The Wednesday Ladies Group following their crochet blanket project, continues totake to heart the charity Féileacáin, the Still Birth and Neonatal Association of Irelandwho support bereaved parents. The groups Christmas effort has been the compilationof a charity cook book of tried and (mostly) tested cake recipes of group members.Some recipes are firm family favourites, others their own versions of traditional bakingand some just tried out for this book! The cookbook is a perfect festive gift and isavailable in Market 57, The Paper Shop and Clifden Book Shop for €6.00. The bookwas launched by Jacinta Murphy from Féileacáin Buyers came and sampled theculinary delights and met the contributors. All proceeds going to Féileacáin.

Wednesday Ladies Group Cook Book

Therapeutic Riding Social Inclusion Event

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

L-R: Mairead Ni Dhomhnaill, Gearoid deFaoite, Yvonne Keane, Cathy Keane, Brendan O’Malley

Combating Poverty & Social ExclusionConference

Crochet is a traditional skill which is enjoying a revival among thoseinterested in crafts. Basically it’s a different technique from knitting andonce the four basic stitches are mastered the work just ‘grows’. Held in theFurther Education Centre Oughterard (managed by the Galway RoscommonEducation & Training Board - GRETB) and under the watchful guidance oftutor Geraldine Farrell, twelve ladies from the area started learning andpracticing this new skill. Initially they learned the four basic stitches and thenmoved onto reading a crochet pattern, with a view to producing an articleduring the six week programme. As one women described it “crochet is afascinating craft and well worth taking the time to practice, once you have itit’s so addictive you just can’t stop”.

Crochet skills Oughterard


The Local & Community Development Programme (LCDP) in the ConnemaraGaeltacht

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Men’s Shed Oughterard Clann Family Resource Centre (FRC) have for the pastnumber of years attempted to establish a Men’sGroup/Shed project, and to date, this has proved to bea challenge. However, Clann are now in a position tore-engage with local men who have previously shownan interest. To support this initiative, Clann areproviding an eight-week taster programme covering thefollowing topics: cooking, computers, woodturning,nutrition, physical and mental health. It is anticipatedthat a valuable support mechanism will be available tomen who have not previously engaged with the FamilyResource Centre. The group meets Mondays at 12 p.m.in Clann FRC, for more information please contactAngela Lennon (Co-ordinator) 091 557633.

Ballyconneely National School Sensory Garden

The Local & CommunityDevelopment Programme (LCDP)is managed by POBAL on behalfof the Department ofCommunity, Environment andLocal Government. It forms partof the National Development Plan2007 – 2013.

FORUM administers LCDP in nonGaeltacht Connemara and wasasked by POBAL to manage LCDPin Gaeltacht Connemara June

2012 to December 2013.The groups targeted by FORUM,under LCDP are as follows: olderpeople, young people andfamilies, community groups,people with disability, under andunemployed, lone parents.

Two workers are employed byFORUM to administer LCDP inGaeltacht Connemara from July2012 to December 2014.

A range of actions have beencarried out with groups andindividuals in the ConnemaraGaeltacht.

A news sheet has been producedin Irish outlining these actions.For a copy please contactGearoid DeFaoite – 087 6921211or Mairead Uí Dhomhnaill – 0877952747

Ballyconneely National School is blessed with alarge outdoor area. The staff and parents decidedto put this area to greater use than as just a placefor the children to play at break times. A sensorygarden is an outdoor space that stimulateslearning and the senses. With the help of fundingfrom FORUM Connemara, the parents, staff andpupils made plans to create a series of excitingoutdoor areas with a focus on stimulating thesenses of sight, touch, smell, hearing and tastewhile also being hugely educational.Over the October mid-term break the first areawas created, the ‘Maths Station’. It includes a giantoutdoor abacus, lego concrete stepping stones,fraction stones and a measuring stick completewith animals of various heights! This turned a oncedrab corner of the yard into an exciting, colourfullearning area.

Nicola Heanue


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St. Paul's Secondary School, OughterardIn St. Paul's Secondary School, Oughterard, the current seventy-two Transition Year students willparticipate in a Healthy Lifestyle programme being promoted by FORUM Connemara. The firstgroup of 22 students (twelve girls and ten boys) have chosen a range of activities that would not beavailable to them in a secondary school physical education programme. These activitiesinclude horse riding, using aerobic and resistant training machines in the local gym, coaching firstyear students in Gaelic football skills, golf, zumba and badminton. By engaging in a wide range ofsporting events it is hoped that everyone will experience an activity that they would like to continuewith well beyond their years in Secondary School.This programme has been designed to help combat the current trend in society that young peopleare adopting, more teenagers are becoming obese and a higher percentage are becoming lessactive in their lifestyles, especially girls. St Paul’s and FORUM Connemara have joined forces to curbthat negative tide among our young people.Seventy-four students undertook the initial programme with an even gender balance across thegroup. There are three groups, each of which gets a ten-week module on healthy lifestyle activitiesand on survival cookery. The survival cookery gives each student the opportunity to makeaffordable budget meals that are nutritionally well balanced. This is a very popular module as theclass always enjoys sampling what they have just made. Their recipes include brown bread, muffins,pizza, soups and curries.A group of approximately 60 Transition Year students in St. Paul's Secondary took part in anintroductory course to archery. The students were given individual tuition on the use of bow andarrows and using a target practice. The lessons ended with a class and an overall Transition Yearcompetition. Further information on this pursuit was provided and the students displayed a highlevel of enthusiasm for archery.


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Twenty-five members of the Womens Network visited Dublinand Belfast in November. The group arrived in the capitaland the first visit was to the Phoenix Park, after which thegroup visited the Little Museum of Dublin on St. Stephen’sGreen, which tells the story of Dublin in the20th Century.

On day two, the group visited Belfast where members wentto the ‘Bolshoi to Belfast - Theatre of Costumes’ installationin the old Crumlin Jail. The highlight for many was the visitto the Titanic Belfast exhibition, in particular the shipyardride which captures the sights and sounds of the Titanicunder construction. The extravagant luxury and superbcraftsmanship of Titanic’s interiors is displayed as well asfootage of the launch. Next was a guided visit to theStormont Estate and Parliament Buildings, home to theNorthern Ireland Assembly and then onto West Belfast toview the murals of the Falls and Shankill Road communities. On the way back to Dublin they visited Hillsborough wherethe Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed in 1985. Back inDublin there was a tour around the city by night to view thesites including the Jeannie Johnston, the GuinnessStorehouse. One person summed up their experience ‘forme I feel I have connected with and been touched by somuch of the history of this island’.

Josephine Coyne, Bridgie Ann O’Malley and Jan Barry

Connemara ICA and Women’s Groups Network – A Tale of Two Cities

There is a great sense of excitement and fun at present in ourP&T group as we take part in Toddlers Arts & Crafts workshops.Parents are also enjoying getting their hands mucky helping outwith all the activities. Tutor Patricia provides plenty of varietyeach week, organising sessions in painting, colouring, cuttingand pasting to create beautiful keep sakes. In most cases this isthe very first piece of artistic work the children have produced -they proudly take home their masterpieces each week.

‘Scissors, and Glue’ with Clifden Parent and Toddler Group

The sessions usually finish with the group learning a nursery rhyme. The final few sessions will see allthe children painting & colouring their own birds and fruit to place on a big living tree. We have hadnew parents joining the group through this activity which makes for lots more fun and excitement.Some of the P&T parents have commented “we are really enjoying it, my son was so shy for the firstfew days, now he is always looking forward to coming on Wednesday’s – it’s brilliant”. ‘I have justrecently moved to the area and have found the P&T group great for meeting other mums, my son isalso making lots of new friends and learning to share his toys with others’. At present we have twelveparents and fourteen children. All are very welcome on Wednesday mornings 11- 12pm above theCashel Credit Union building Clifden.

Lena Birmingham


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Four meetings were held with theNorth West Connemara YouthMental Network, it was decided tohave a Jigsaw worker based inConnemara once a week. Fundingwill be required to implement thisprogramme and initiatives such asclothing banks, crowd funding andcollection boxes for shops will beexamined. During 2013, 58 youngpeople from the catchment areaused the service.

Launch of the icrowdpage for Jigsaw Service

North West Connemara Youth Mental Network

Davey Fitzgerald from Irelands Fittest Family with Scoil Mhuire,Clifden After School Programme at Killary Adventure Centre.

Junior Arts Schools ProgrammesTwo eight week one hour junior arts programmes have beendelivered to fourteen children during school time in Tullyand Eagles Nest National Schools.

National SchoolsFORUM has delivered three eight-week after-school activityclubs to Tully, Eagles Nest and Scoil Mhuire (Clifden)National Schools. The main emphasis of these programmesis to enhance the participants self esteem through positivegroup work and to offer alternative experiences anddevelop new skills through outdoor education. Activitiesinclude group games at the start of each session. These aredesigned to help develop many desirable characteristics inpeople of all ages. The games help increase concentration,observation, awareness, quick thinking, alertness, strategy,teamwork, trust, laughter, group cohesion, confidence, self-awareness, co-operation but most importantly fun. Theactivities include stain-glass painting, woodwork, abiodiversity project, textile design, card making andorienteering. An outing to the Killary Adventure Centre tookplace finishing with a parents day to present an overview ofwhat the 40 young people had accomplished.

Adolescent Support Programme


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Clifden Community SchoolA six-week personal development programme wasdelivered to eight students from Clifden CommunitySchool. The content focuses on personal developmentactivities through the medium of art, team challenges,problem solving exercises and sport.

Carna and Corr na Mona ProgrammeTwo eight-week personal development programmes were delivered to sixteen students from Corr na Monaand Scoil Phobail Mhic Dara (Carna) Secondary school, under the FORUM LCDP Programme. An additionaltwo eight week programmes are currently being delivered to 21 students.

Youth Representative Group/Comhairle na nÓgCounty Galway Comhairle na nÓg is a local youth councilwhich gives young people an opportunity to discuss andconsult on issues that are important to them. This givesthem the opportunity to express their opinions and listento the views of other people and policy makers. Comhairlena nÓg were set up under the National Children’s Strategy(2000). Four meetings were held in County Galway, tenyoung people from the area participated. The grouphosted the County Galway Comhairle na nÓg teambuilding day in the Killary Adventure Centre with 40 youngpeople attending. A poster was designed and publishedfor the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as partof their 25th Birthday Celebration. The poster will belaunched December 2014.

An Cathaoirleach Mary Hoarde with Comhairle local group

County Comhairle Team Building Day

Clifden Youth Cafe The Youth Cafe in the Town Hall is now opened from 2pm-4pm (every school day Friday) to cater foryoung people and providing a meeting/projects/homework venue. Approximately 20 young people havebeen attending each week; the Cafe provides hot drinks, toast and the use of games such as Xbox, tablefootball and the use of two lap tops. The School Completion Officer is assisting with the rent of thepremises for the initiative and the project has two workers from the CE Scheme and Tus programme.

Poster Design on the UN Convention of the Child


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Two Summer Camp 13+ Hairdressing Course

Two hairdressing courses were organisedfor 24 young girls in the 15 to 17 age groupwho attend Clifden Community School, Corrna Mona and Carna Post Primary Schools.Modules on the course included scalpanalysis, blow drying, up-styling,straightening and curling hair. The youngpeople attending felt the course wouldbenefit them into the future. Funding wasprovided by the North West SchoolCompletion Programme and FORUM.

CoderDojo ClubClifden Town Hall is hosting the CoderDojo Club. A CoderDojo Clubis a computer programming club for young people where theylearn how to code, develop websites, apps, programs, games andexplore technology. Eighty young people between seven andseventeen are participating. The club is supported by two leadingbusiness people from Clifden, Ellen McDonough of Stubborn GoatsCreative Services and Suzanne Schley of Schley Accountants, withthe assistance of the Adolescent Support Project. It has allowedyoung people from the secondary school who completed the firstterm of CoderDojo to mentor new members while continuing towork on their own projects. A global company “coffeecup.com”based in the USA sponsored the club software programmes whilstthe School Completion Programme provides support for the rentof Clifden Town Hall.

13+ Summer Camp Adventure Programme

A two-day event was held in the KillaryAdventure Centre for 50 young people duringJuly. The young people engaged in differentactivities during the two-day event, includingarchery, rock climbing, combat laser questing,canoeing, raft building and the KillaryChallenge. Support provided by the SchoolCompletion Programme and FORUM LCDProgramme.


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Youth in Action The Youth in Action Project has facilitated over 600 young people this year throughout North WestConnemara providing sport activities, Fun Runs and summer camps.

Youth in Action 7+ summer camps were held throughthe months of July and August. Camps were held inthe following areas - Tullycross, Roundstone,Claddaghduff, Cashel and Clifden. The main activitiesfor camps were arts, crafts and sports. Morgan Darcyfrom the Sport Partnership ran a GAA hurlingprogramme in each camp. Over 200 children attendedand enjoyed the end of camp barbeque and party.

Summer Camps


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Calendar The 17th edition of the Youth in Action calendar 2015“Ah to be Young” is available in local shops. Theproject would like to thank the businesses for theirgenerous support, and those who provided us withphotos this and every year, all proceeds from the saleof the calendar goes towards activities for youth in thearea.

CLIFDEN CITIZENS INFORMATION CENTREHow does Budget 2015 affect you?

Here are some of the main Budget changes, all will take effect from January 2015, unless otherwise stated: o Child Benefit is increased by €5 to €135 per child per montho The Living Alone Increase goes up to €9 per week (from €7.70)o A Water Support Payment of €100 annually (€25 per quarter) will be paid to people who currentlyreceive the Household Benefits Package and the Fuel Allowanceo A Christmas Bonus of 25% will be paid in December 2014 to people getting a long-term social

welfare payment o The standard rate of income tax increases by €1,000 to €33,800 for single individuals and €42,800

for married one-earner coupleso The higher rate of income tax is reduced from 41% to 40%o Tax relief on water charges at 20% is to be providedo The Universal Social Charge will apply to all income over €12,102 (was €10,036), and the lower

rates of USC are reduced to 1.5% and 3.5% (were 2% and 4%)o A Back to Work Family Dividend is being introduced for lone parent and long-term Jobseeker’s

Allowance recipients who find work or return to work from January 2015. This means that the qualified child increase of €29.80 will be paid for the first full year in employment and €14.90 will be paid for the second year

For more information about these and other changes in Budget 2015, contact Clifden CIC, which provides afree and confidential service to the public.Tel: 0761 07 7580/087 1301100 Email: [email protected] Floor, Credit Union, Clifden OPEN: Thursday 7pm–8pm, Friday 10.30 a.m.–3.30 p.m. Call Declan on 087 1301100 for details of regular Letterfrack serviceInformation is also available online at www.citizensinformation.ie and from the Citizens Information PhoneService, 0761 07 4000

Primary Schools Sports ProgrammesYouth in Action Sports Programme provides local national schools with weekly sessions of varying sportsactivities such as football, Olympic handball, basketball and co-operation team games to eliminate theelement of competition. In addition to the varying sports activity, since October schools in Cleggan andBallyconneely have been engaging in inter-school events including football and rounders. It is envisaged thatthis initiative can be developed into the future with other schools, as part of the Youth in Action SportsSchool Programme. The children are preparing for Olympic Handball under eleven group play offs before the end of the year andunder twelve/thirteen age group in February or March. In addition to the sports programme, Youth in Actionprovides support for the delivery of other programmes within the Adolescent Support Project initiatives,such as the After School Programme, Junior Activity Club, Clifden Youth Cafe and Coderdojo. In totality over450 young people have engaged in the different programmes. Support was given to the annual Water Sportday held in August in aid of CARI (Children at Risk in Ireland) at Glassilaun beach and the National Schools inNorth West Connemara for extra curricular activities. The children of Ballyconneely National School attendeda Therapeutic Riding Social Inclusion Event at Errislannan Riding Centre, support was provided for transport.


After four years of paperwork and planning it feels great to finally say that the Corribdale Park Teen Zone is open!It has been a long time coming but we hope it was worth the wait! It is a lovely space and one that we hope willbe well used by the teenagers of Oughterard for many years to come.The concept of the Teen Zone was first proposed at a Playground Committee meeting back in 2010. The ideacame about as the committee had noticed that in the evenings on closing the playground facility the teenagershad nowhere else to congregate. The idea of a safe, purpose built area for the older children was suggested andthis was then expanded upon to include a series of walkways and outdoor fitness equipment for the rest of thecommunity to enjoy. The concept of changing the Corribdale Grounds into a recreation park for Oughterardbegan to take shape.

After further research the idea was then suggested to the Corribdale Grounds committee at a meeting later thatsame year. In order to progress the idea, playground committee members, Morgan O’Connor and Sinéad Grimeswere elected as Directors of Corribdale Grounds Committee Ltd. A subcommittee was then formed to overseethe development; this was made up of: Thomas Welby, Sinead Grimes, Niall Walsh, Nicholas Byrnes and Dr. PeterHarte. The subcommittee called a public meeting where the concept was presented and discussed. Furthermeetings, questionnaires and public consultations were then carried out. It was at this stage that a moreconcrete plan was formed. Several meetings took place with the National Trails Office in order to design thelayout of the trails and in November 2011 an application was made to LEADER FORUM Connemara Ltd. forfunding for a feasibility study. This study allowed us to hire an engineer, Ronan O’Halloran, to put together asurvey and complete plans for the overall project. It was great to see the idea taking shape! The feasibility alsoallowed for the wonderful Corribdale Park logo to be designed and much needed tree surgery to be carried outon the grounds. On 22nd May of this year planning was approved for the Teen Zone as well as shared use trailsaround the park grounds and also in the wooded area, with a pump track for bikes and outdoorfitness equipment.A public consultation was held in the summer where local teens and their families voted for theirfavourite equipment from a range of playground suppliers. Spraoi Linn Ltd. were awarded the contract based onthe outcome of this vote. We re-applied to FORUM Connemara Ltd in June for funding for just one section of theoverall park plan, the Teen Zone. Thankfully the application was successful and at last Phase 1 of the CorribdalePark project was underway. The total cost of the construction for the Teen Zone was €62,186.22. €46,639.66 ofthis was funded by FORUM Connemara Ltd. Securing this funding was vital to the completion of the project. Weare very grateful to the team in Letterfrack for all their help and guidance along the way. We were also verygrateful to get significant sponsorship from SSE Airtricity which went towards the fencing and lighting of the newzone.The remaining funds were raised by the local community through some very enjoyable fundraising events.These included hosting Ironman Feed stations, coffee mornings, a Family Quiz, the Moonlight walk, cocktailnights, Jog the Bog, The Mayfly 10k Challenge and also the Corribdale Duathlon. Many of these events havebecome firm favourites on the annual Oughterard calendar of events!A special word of thanks to those who sent personal donations, or held their own personal fundraisers. This washugely helpful and much appreciated! The pupils of St. Paul’s raised €400 for us through a bake sale. Rory and thestaff at the Boat Inn donated €870 from their very successful Oughterard Beer Fest. The Playground group verygenerously donated €2,000 of their funds to go towards the construction of the Teen Zone. But money was notthe only thing that was generously given to the project. Nothing could have been achieved without people’svoluntary efforts, and there are many who need to be thanked for making this wonderful facility a reality for thecommunity. Finally, thanks to everyone in the locality for your support for this project. The generosity of thecommunity, funding from FORUM and the hard work of dedicated individuals has made this project possible. It was not always a smooth road—but well worth the journey! Sinéad Grimes, Corribdale Park Project Co-ordinator

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Corribdale Park Teen Zone


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Members of Ballinakill Active Age Club with Minister EamonO’Cuiv at the Intergenerational Festival 2001

UN International Year of the Vulunteer - Launch ofFORUM Project 1990.L- R standing: Joe O’Toole, Connemara West, Margaret

Barry, Combat Poverty Agency, Kieran O’Donohue,Connemara West, Mary Claire Brennan, Administration,FORUM, Pat Ryan, Galway City VEC, Mary Gannon,Connemara West, Donal O’Domoghue, Galway CountyCouncil, Chris Curtin, NUI GalwayL-R sitting: Tony Barrett, FAS, Seamus O’Grady, NUIGalway, Chairperson, Minister for Social Welfare, MichaelWoods, Robin Webster, Director FORUM, Odele Quintin,EU Commission, Michael Bruton, WHB, Johnny Fitzpatrick,Connemara West

FORUM receives Special Merit Group Award from theREHAB Foundation Galway

Next year FORUM Connemara will celebrate its silver anniversary. Since its inception in1990, the organisation has assisted the local community in Connemara through its actionswith community groups, businesses, families and individuals.Throughout the last twenty five years FORUM has been supporting community groups toincrease their ability to carry out local development by providing assistance and guidance.FORUM has provided one to one support and numerous workshops, conferences andeducational training programmes in this regard. FORUM has supported men’s and women’sgroups by the organisation of events and workshops with ongoing support for the ClifdenCitizens Information Service.

Scottish group visit Active Age Celebrations 1993:L-R Delis Lydon, Clifden, Yvonne Keane, FORUM,

Ian and Nana Macaulay Scotland and Alice Lydon Clifden

Graduates of the Community Development and Enterprise Course 1993: Back L-R: Nora Walsh, Ber Kirby, Deirdre McGonagle, Marian Keogh, Margaret Conroy,

Gabriella Voigt, Michelle Mullen, Teresa Ridge, Caroline Sweeney and Maria Nee.Sitting: Mary McNamara, Mary Diamond, Lillian Little, Bridie Davis, Colleen Gilmore,

Sally Nee, Barbara Callan, Emer O’Regan, Amanda Jack and Carmel Lydon

The organisation’s work with older people and people with disability has involved delivering a nationallyrecognised model of best practice in social care. The model involves supporting those who wish to liveindependently in their home for as long as possible by providing a care companion service, supporting carers,executing an essential housing repairs service and organising an array of events including the IntergenerationalProgramme – which involves the interaction of the generations through a sharing of skills.The company’s work with youth has also been widely commended. FORUM provides a programme of actions inprimary and secondary schools and youth organisations to support social inclusion. Actions include providingactivity clubs, support for parents, provision of counselling services and support to pre-schools and parent andtoddler groups.


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Leenane National School After School Programme 2000

Beach clean up after Winter storm 2014 and during2014 by Tus participants

In its efforts to support business and the rural economy FORUM continues to providetraining programmes and employment mediation services for under and unemployedpeople in Connemara. Support is also provided to farm families to assist them todiversify to achieve their maximum potential. The LEADER programme has greatlyadded to this by providing over €5.6m to over 340 projects in the rural economy overthe last five years.FORUM has been able to undertake an extensive plan of work through a number offunding streams including the Local Community Development Programme, the RuralDevelopment Programme (LEADER), three Community Employment Schemes, the RuralSocial Scheme, four TUS work activation schemes, the Adolescent Support Programmeand the Rural Recreation Scheme. Twenty full-time core staff are employed with an additional 148 people employedon RSS/TUS and CE schemes along with 14 people on Job Initiative.These workers provide vital services within the community including on-going maintenance of sports pitches,community halls, schools, graveyards, walking/cycling routes, beach clean-ups, provision of Meals on Wheels service &Care Companion services and provision of a youth service programme.The last twenty five years has seen more than 500 people from across North West Connemara give freely of their timeto input into the development of FORUM’s work programme and to the management of FORUM at Board, Sub-Committee and Working Group levels. Next year, the two main programmes administered by FORUM Connemara – the Local Community DevelopmentProgrammes (now called SICAP) and the LEADER programme are undergoing major changes, many of which are not yetfinalised. The effects of the proposed changes will undoubtedly have negative impacts for Connemara which cannot beover-stated. If FORUM lose these two programmes, FORUM may not be able to survive which poses a threat to thefuture of other programmes including the Rural Recreation Programme, Adolescent Support Programme, TUS, RSS andCommunity Employment workers who provide incredibly valuable services into the community. Throughout the last quarter of a century FORUM Connemara has continued to grow in its commitment to the region.For this silver anniversary FORUM is reaffirming its commitment to the development of a sustainable Connemarathrough partnership, collaboration and innovation. That is if it is allowed to do so?

“FORUM Connemara Ltd has had an incalculable impact on the social and economic well-being of the residents ofNorth West Connemara.” Teagasc

Ms. Joan Burton T.D., Junior Minister at the Department of Social Welfare inInishbofin with Mr. George Abou Sada, Poverty 3 Central Unit, Lille and Mr.

Seamus O’Grady, Chairman, FORUM 1993.

President Mary McAleese vsitsthe FORUM Project 2006

Meeting with MEPs November 2014 Back Row - Tom Healy (Galway County Councillor), TrevorO'Clochartaigh (Senator), Terry Keenan (Chair FORUMConnemara), Marian Harkin (MEP), Gerry O'Neill (CEOSouth West Mayo LDC). Front row - Matt Carthy (MEP),John Coyne (CEO FORUM Connemara), Delia Colahan (CEO Galway Rural Development).


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The TUKE Gathering 2015 – Connemara Heritage Tourism Project

A Clifden based heritage group, the Clifden 2012 Committee, undertook a LEADERfunded project designed to inform and explore the history of the Tuke AssistedEmigration Schemes of the 1880’s and to attract significant numbers of visitors toConnemara who are descendants of those who availed of the Tuke schemes.James Hack Tuke (1819 to 1896) was a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist andQuaker from York who was deeply concerned about the plight of the poverty strickenpeople living on the west coast of Ireland in the mid to late 1800’s. He was related by marriage to the Ellis familybased at Letterfrack.Overpopulation and several failures of the potato crop in the late 1870’s caused a widespread crisis on thewestern seaboard. Tuke felt that emigration could be one of the solutions to poverty in the region. He organisedan assisted emigration scheme which provided funding for those wishing to emigrate to Canada & the USA butwho could not afford it. The scheme assisted approximately 6,000 people to emigrate during the period 1882 to1884. This represented 12% of the Connemara population at the time.The Tuke Scheme kept excellent records including the ship’s manifests (the ships left from Galway Harbour) whichare still available today. The Clifden 2012 Committee have been able to utilise this resource which lists the names,ages, occupations and townlands of almost 3,000 people from the *Clifden Union who availed of the scheme.Leader funding was secured for the development of an online searchable database to record and storeinformation which can be accessed by anywhere around the globe. This is a vital tool for those wishing to tracetheir roots to North West Connemara.The idea for this project came from the Blacksod Bay community in Co. Mayo who have contributed theirexperience and understanding to the two Connemara groups interested in this project – the Connemara 2012Committee and the Oughterard Cultural & Heritage Group. Academics comprising of Gerard Moran (NUIM),Christine Kinealy (Quinnipaic, Connecticut) and Regina Donnellan (NUIM) have also supported the groups bysharing their knowledge and experience. Marie Mannion (GCC Heritage Officer) has also contributed greatly toassist the groups to network with each other and share resources.The Clifden 2012 Committee also delivered a very successful three day heritage conference at the Station HouseTheatre in October that looked at life in 19th century Connemara, the assisted passage scheme, and some of theemigrant stories.If you have an interest in this project or indeed ancestors who emigrated from the area during the years 1882-1884 through the Tuke Assisted Emigration Scheme the Clifden 2012 Committee and the Clifden & ConnemaraHeritage Society would welcome your contact by email to [email protected] The Clifden 2012 Committeewas the natural vehicle to deliver this project as they have vast experience in this area as they were formed tocelebrate the founding of Clifden 200 years ago in 2012. The group are planning a Connemara DescendantsGathering Event arising from the Tuke’s conference running form Sept 11th to 16th, 2015.http://clifdenheritage.org/tuke/

Marconi announcementMinister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, recently announced €990,000 in funding for thedevelopment of an improved visitor experience at Derrygimlagh, Connemara, Co, Galway; one of the key 15Signature Discovery Points along the route of the Wild Atlantic Way. The funding will significantly enhance thesite which was the setting for two outstanding technological achievements of the 20th century: the MarconiWireless Station, the world’s first commercial transatlantic wireless station in 1907; and twelve years later (in1919) when Alcock and Brown landed on the site marking the first nonstop, trans-Atlantic flight. The proposedimprovements to the Derrygimlagh Discovery Point include a purpose built car and coach park facility, picnicareas and a looped walk on existing bog road with six key stops providing opportunities for visitors to engage firsthand with the stories of the site including the unique landscape and flora and fauna. Clifden & ConnemaraHeritage Society and Connemara Chamber of Commerce with assistance from FORUM Connemara undertook anextensive feasibility study for this capital development in 2011.

SS Lake WinnipegSS AustrianSS Lake Nepigon


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SEA WEEKThe 2014 Sea Week Festival celebrated its 30th anniversary this year with aseries of events that brought the village of Letterfrack on to the nationalstage. It began on October 17 with a visit by President Higgins, who openedthe Letterfrack Poetry Trail and Small Works Exhibition in the National Park. The Connemara Environmental Education and Cultural Centre commissioned nine poems by nine of Ireland’smost eminent poets for the occasion. The poems are carved onto plaques made of native larch, designed bythe Conservation Centre Letterfrack. They are mounted on slate from the old industrial school andstrategically placed around the National Park, Connemara West centre and village of Letterfrack.


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Bealach (Rural Transport Initiative) (RTI)Ballinakill Active Age Club mini bus and a privateoperator continue to provide the BealachTransport Service four days per week in NorthWest Connemara. The contract with RTI lasts tothe end of 2014, no information is available onhow it will progress in to the future. The service isprovided for people with reduced mobility andpassengers who have no suitable public transportservice. The service brings clients to Day Care,Lunch Clubs and shopping etc. More informationon services in your area can be obtained bycalling 095 41064.

Disability SupportDisability Support continues to be availablethrough the Social Care Programme. The serviceis based in our Letterfrack office (the oldCourthouse opposite the Church) and offersinformation and form filling service to clientswith disability. Information on disability supportby contacting 095 41064 or 087 9633970.

SecurityThe Socially Monitored Alarms Systems continueto be installed in the North West Connemara.Funding for the purchase and insulation ofsocially monitored alarms are the only itemsfunded at present. Clients interested in receivinga service should contact 087 9633970

Traditional Craft ClubFORUM’s Social Care Programme in conjunctionwith Ballinakill Active Age Club, continue to holdan open house traditional craft event everyWednesday in Ellis Hall, Letterfrack. The purposeof this is to have a space for like-minded peopleto meet up, learn or pass on skills to others. ThisCraft Club is open to anyone interested injoining. For more information contact Martina Gavin 0879633970 Jean Wallace 086 3087619.

Ballinakill Community Catering/ FORUM Mealson WheelsThis service provides a nutritious meal to olderpeople living independently in North WestConnemara. The Ballinakill “Community Catering”meals are prepared in Ellis Hall and delivered bythe Community Employment (CE) Workers to theclient’s door. At present meals are delivered toClifden, Cleggan, Claddaghduff, Moyard, Renvyleand Kylemore area. Ballyconneely and Recessmeals are delivered through the CE workers andlocal catering business, Leenane meals aredelivered from Leenane community centre bycommunity voluntary workers. For furtherinformation contact 087 9633970. Carer Companion Service Up to fifty older people continue to avail of thisservice in non Gaeltacht Connemara, where socialcare workers visit the home and providetransport for shopping, doctors’ visits etc. Thisservice targets in particular vulnerable individualswho are experiencing loneliness; it encouragesindependence and increases participation incommunity.

Laundry Service This service is currently in operation in two areas (Letterfrack and Leenane) four days per week. Thesocial care workers run the service. The main users are the elderly, carers, lone parents and students.Revenue generated from the service help to provide funding for the running of the Meals on Wheelsservice.

Clifden Day HospitalFORUM Social Care Programme continues tosupport the work carried out by the Clifden DayCare in the provision of elderly day care services.Social care workers assist with the transportservice and activities at the centre. The role ofthe day care is to facilitate and prolongindependent living. It is attached to ClifdenHospital and run by the Health Service Executive.

Clifden, Oughterard and Moycullen CarersGroupClifden Carers Groups continue to meet weekly,while the Oughterard and Moycullen group meetmonthly. To celebrate Carers Week, members ofthe Oughterard and Moycullen carers enjoyed ahand therapy day in November. Twenty carershave completed Palliative Care Support module(FETAC QQI level 5). This course was supportedby the HSE, FORUM and the CarersAssociation. The carer support group isopen to all carers that feel this type ofsupport could be of benefit.

Social Care Programme


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All eleven resource groups continue to meet atcoffee mornings and lunch clubs locally. All groupswere successful in securing funding from the HSEunder the Section 39 funding application. Thegroups enjoy weekly activities at their clubs whichcan include keep fit, arts & crafts, music, cards and

bingo. In conjunction with FORUM and the ClifdenArts Week, all eleven groups attended the annualArts Week event for older people in the StationHouse, Clifden in September. The annual respitebreak was cancelled due to lack of uptake. Plansare in place to host this break in February 2015.

To celebrate Conamara Sea Weeks 30thanniversary, Ballinakill Active Age group attendedRosleague Manor Hotel for lunch, followed by alively concert with Don Stiffe and Marcus Hernonon 24th October. Over seventy elderly people fromthe Ballinakill Parish attended. This group alsoattended a visit from President Michael D Higginsin Ellis Hall Letterfrack. The Sea Week events wereorganised by Conamara Environmental Educational

and Cultural Committee (CEECC). Gerard Coyneprovided an informative talk on the honey bee tothe Ballinakill group. Leenane Day Care service hadtrip to Westport in October. The BRB SeniorCitizens group attended a community heritage dayin Recess on Sunday 16th November. Members ofBallyconneely and Roundstone visited Kylemore inSeptember. All groups held their Annual ChristmasParties in December.

Kathleen Atkinson and Lena Sammon

Petie and Kathleen MortimerEvelyn Laffey, Mary Kane and Olive Kerrigan

Sarah Ann Lydon and Eileen McDonald Michael Joe and Mary Ruddy whorecently celebrated their 50th wedding

anniversary

Resource Groups


The Wild Atlantic Way is setto be Ireland's first long-distance touring route,stretching along the Atlanticcoast from Donegal to WestCork.

The aim of the project is todevelop a route that willachieve greater visibility forthe west coast of Ireland inoverseas tourist markets.The Wild Atlantic Way is oneof Fáilte Ireland's signatureprojects to rejuvenate Irishtourism.

Galway CountyCouncil, with the help ofFORUM’s RSS and Túsparticipants undertook thereconstruction of RenvylesWhite Strand car park andat the Killary Fjord viewingpoint.

The Wild Atlantic Way Project

Renvyles White Strand car park Killary Fjord viewing point

Tús Community Work Placement Initiative

New Carpark at Eagles Nest National SchoolIn Conjunction with Galway County Council, Tús workers started constructionon a new carpark at Eagle’s Nest school in October.

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Repair work in the vacinity of Collinamuck NationalSchool also took place and the new bottle bank plinth

Along with weekly maintenance on church grounds and graveyards, FORUM Connemara Ltd RSS and Tússcheme participants maintain the 4 Km walk and cycle way in Derrylea outside Clifden in conjunction withGalway County Council along with the upkeep of sports fields in Clifden, Renvyle, Ballyconneely,Oughterard and Recess. Refuse and debris is collected weekly from beaches in Roundstone, Ballyconneelyand Renvyle areas. There have been several “Blitz’s” carried out during the year on beaches and pier’sand to date the RSS and Tús Teams have collected 5,000 bags of rubbish and plastics from our localbeaches. In Oughterard and Killannin RSS and Tús participants have been placed in Clann resourace centre, rugbyand football clubs, sports field in new village, Corribdale Park, Killanin Community pitch, Killannin andCollinamuck church and schools local piers, Tidy Towns, anglers, youth café and charity shop.

During 2014 extensive work was carried out on Tobar Cuanna in Callownamuck to control vegetation.This is an old Children’s and Famine burial ground. It is now in good shape and will be maintained byTús and the community on a regular basis.

Tobar Cuanna


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Rural Recreation and Walks SchemeConnemara Greenway Project (Clifden to Oughterard) update: The project consists of developing a walking/cycle track (Greenway)along the dismantled Galway to Clifden railway line from Clifden toOughterard. It will provide members of the local community andvisitors alike with a safe and accessible method of using the dismantledrailway line for walking and cycling. It is envisaged that this will alsobenefit the local economy.In April this year €400,000 of funds were allocated by Fáilte Ireland forthe Connemara Greenway project. Discussions with landowners werere opened regarding permissive access and accommodation works onphase 1 - Clifden to Munga. Where agreements were reached withlandowners work commenced. Discussions are still ongoing for thenext section through Gowlaun. Landowners still have to be met regarding Phase 2 of the route as thefocus was on Phase 1 where funding had been secured. An applicationfor funding for the remainder of the project is currently with FáilteIreland for consideration. Discussions will reopen as funding issecured. Below are some pictures of its progress to date.

FORUM Connemara ran two Trail Building Course in August and SeptemberThe course provided practical guidance to those working on the maintenance of recreational walking trails,off-road cycling or horse riding trails. The course addressed maintenance issues and provided an overview ofvarious trail construction and maintenance techniques. There was a mixture of classroom (in house) andhands-on fieldwork which took place on the Western Way near Kylemore, allowing the participants try outsome of the techniques covered in the classroom. Twenty two participants took part and the course wasdelivered by Darragh O’Sullivan & Jeremy Smith and approved by the National Trails Office funded byLeader. Other News:

A number of trails in Roundstone, Carna, Gorumna, LeitirMór and Poetry Trail in Letterfrack are being developed.Thank you to all the community/walking groups thathave come forward to develop a trail in their local area.

Contact:The Rural Recreation Officer would be delighted to hear from Community Groups, businesses and individualsin relation to projects in their area. If you have an idea or plans to develop a recreation project, please feelfree to contact Rosaleen for advice and information. Projects need to have full support of the Community toensure success. Rosaleen Ní Shúilleabháin, Rural Recreation Officer, FORUM Connemara, Old Boys School, Clifden. Co. Galway. Email: [email protected] Tel: 087 737-5599


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Employment Mediation ServiceThe Employment Mediation service is available from the FORUM Connemara Ltd offices in Letterfrack andone day a week (Thursday) in the Further Education Centre, Oughterard. Anyone who has queries aboutemployment opportunities, Back to Work Enterprise Allowance or farming issues can contact BrendanO’Malley at the FORUM Connemara Ltd, Letterfrack office 095 41116 or 087 9633366 or [email protected]

Back to Work Enterprise AllowanceFORUM Connemara Ltd in conjunction with theDepartment of Social Protection run the Back to WorkEnterprise Allowance. The scheme allows participantswho are on a social protection payment to keep thatpayment for two years and also work at their ownenterprise. Work plans are completed andparticipants must register with Revenue. To date, wehave dealt with over 50 applications for BTWEA.

To help those who have a business idea or havealready set up in business, FORUM, working with theLocal Enterprise Office run Business Enterprisetraining. Recently FORUM delivered a businessenterprise course in Oughterard, this programmeconsists of talks, lectures, discussions and exercises toencourage participants to discuss their business ideas,plan start-ups, and deal with fears and problems theymay have. The course is designed to stimulateentrepreneurial activity and plan a participants pathback to work. This year we have added an extra day tothe business course where participants can discuss inprivate on a one-to-one basis their business idea andreceive expert advice on what path to follow.

Business Enterprise Training, Oughterard

FORUM Connemara Ltd in co-operation withTeagasc and Co Galway GRETB are running a level5&6 Agriculture Certification course (Green Cert)in Letterfrack. The Green Cert will run for twoyears and give farmers formal training andcertification in their chosen field. Twenty twoyoung men have embarked on the Green Certjourney and have completed the first year. TheGreen Cert course has now started up again andwill finish in 2015.

Agriculture Certificate Fetac Level 5&6(Green Cert)

Teagasc and FORUM Connemara Ltd ran a successfulOptions for Farm Families programme in Letterfrack.Covereing topics relating to rural tourism, artisanfood, land use options, succession and inheritance.The aim of the programme was to generate newthinking and ideas and look at possibilities foradditional on and off farm income. The programmewas run over four evenings and one day.

This year FORUM organised two safe pass coursecatering for 40 people. The safe pass is mandatoryfor those working in the construction sector.

FORUM and Teagasc ran a very successful“Transferring the Family Farm” information day inLetterfrack. A short overall presentation of farmtransfer was given by Teagasc, followed by anopportunity to discuss options and issues withrepresentatives including local solicitors,accountants, a Citizens Information Centrerepresentative and Galway RoscommonEducational Training Board (GRETB).

Options for Farm Families

Safe Pass

Transferring the family farm

Under and unemployed


Essential Housing Repair

Work carried out includes, bath removal and replacement with shower/wet room, construction oframps and handrails, kitchen fitting, pathway enhancement, painting, placement of floor covering,tiling, plumbing, door repairs etc. To qualify for this work the householder must be the owner andlive in the house. Participants on the community employment scheme have undertaken training in several areasincluding Safe Pass, Workplace Safety, First Aid, Autocad Training, Driving Lessons, BasicComputers, Train the Trainer and Working at Heights. The eighteen part time workers on the scheme also carry out painting, general repairs andmaintenance on local Health Centres with the materials funded by the HSE, work on localcommunity halls and community buildings, administration, caretaking and environmental work.

Bathrooms before and after

Installation of ramp

Converting bedroom to bathroom

Work on kitchen

FORUM Essential HousingRepair Scheme continues toprovide the labour and theexpertise to improve theliving conditions and safetyfor the elderly, people witha disability and vulnerablepeople in their own homes.The scheme supports thepremise that people shouldbe allowed to remain intheir own home as long aspossible. Through thisscheme the householderspay for the materials andthe work is carried out bycommunity employment(CE) workers. So far thisyear we have carried outworks and repairs for 30householders, bringing thetotal, since the start of thescheme to 71.

For information andapplication form please

contact Martin Davis at FORUM on

095 41064/0879635144 [email protected]

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FORUM Page

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FORUM Management

Terry Keenan, ChairpersonChris Curtin, EvaluatorDan Quaid, Health Services ExecutiveKevin Heanue, TeagascJim Cullen, Galway County CouncilEithne Nic Dhonnchadha, Galway andRoscomon Education & Training BoardAnne Donald Joyce, Community RepresentativeJenny Conboy, Community RepresentativeMary Kirby, Community RepresentativeMartin Conneely, Community RepresentativeCllr. Thomas Welby, Galway County CouncilCllr. Seamus Walsh, Galway County CouncilCllr. Niamh Byrne, Galway County CouncilCllr. Eileen Mannion, Galway County CouncilEmmet McGloin, IFASean Heanue, SIPTUHugh Musgrave, IFAJosephine Lally, Community RepresentativeMary Gannon, Community RepresentativeBreda Fox, County Enterprise BoardLeo Hallissey, Environmental RepresentativeCarmel Geoghegan, Youth

FORUM Staff - Full Time

John Coyne, CEOYvonne Keane, Assistant CEO

Kathleen Kane, Team Leader/AdministrationCathy Keane, Team Leader/Community Groups

Anna Marie Mortimer, Secretary/AdministrationKathleen deCourcey, CE Supervisor Youth in Action

Martina Gavin, CE Supervisor Social CareMartin Davis, CE Supervisor

Essential Housing Repairs SchemeMarie Feeney, Adolescent Support Coordinator

Brendan O’Malley, Employment Mediation Service

Geraldine Kelly, Rural Social Scheme SupervisorBrian Conneely, Tús Supervisor

Joe Ribbon, Tús SupervisorKaren Mannion, Leader Project Officer

Joe Conaty, Leader Project OfficerMelissa Wallace, Administration Officer

Rosaleen Ní Shuilleabháin, Rural Recreation Officer

Mairead Uí Dhomhnaill, Employment MediationService, Gaeltacht Connemara

Gearóid deFaoite, Community Development Worker, Gaeltacht

Connemara

Part TimeBrid Staunton, Accounts

Sandra Shattock, AdministrationTina Jack, Youth Support Worker

FORUM continues to disseminate information through the medium of two newsletters a year and througha weekly broadcast on Connemara Community Radio, which highlights the activities of the FORUM Project.

FORUM Website: http://www.forumconnemara.ieEmail: [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter: FORUMConnemaraPrinted by Berry’s Printers

The FORUM Project has beenfunded under the EU LeaderProgramme and by the Irish

Government under the NationalDevelopment Plan 2007 - 2013

and a number of State Agencies

FORUM Management and Staff Wish Everyone a

Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year.



Documents

Forum Newsletter Winter 2014