i.r.d. duhallow · meelin kathleen lehane & denis mcauliffe rathmore donal mccarthy & marie...

I.R.D. DuhallowJames O’Keeffe Institute,

Newmarket, Co. Cork, Ireland.Tel: 00-353-29-60633Fax: 00-353-29-60694

Email:[email protected]

I.R.D. DuhallowProgress Repor t

R E P O R T

09 10

T h e S p i r i t O f R u r a l I r e l a n d

Duhal low -The Land & PeopleIRD Duhallow territory includes North West Cork and South East Kerry and isapproximately 1,800 sq.km and has apopulation density of 16 per sq.km. It is a largely Rural area. Over 85% of thepopulation live in the open countryside or in settlements of less than 200 people. The Duhallow region has four market towns:Kanturk (Pop 1915), Millstreet (Pop 1401), Newmarket (Pop 949) andRathmore (Pop 611) and 36 villages.

I.R.D. DuhallowJames O’Keeffe Institute,Newmarket, Co. Cork, Ireland.Tel: 00-353-29-60633Fax: 00-353-29-60694Email: [email protected] Site: irdduhallow.com

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The European Agricultural Fundfor Rural Development:

Europe investing in Rural Areas

09/10 IRD DUHAL LOW PROGRESS REPORT

Communit ies in Duhal low


Community Groups in Duhal lowSouth Eastern Duhallow Communities IRD Duhallow Representatives

Aubane John Kellehe & Gerald McSweeney

Banteer Denis Withers & John Kirwan

Bweeng Jeanette O’Connell & Sean Kelly

Derrinagree Tom Meaney & Charlie Drake

Donoughmore & Stuake Patrick Buckley & Michael Forde

Kilcorney Donie Howard & Mary Kelleher

Laharn Eileen Forde & Sheila Crowley

Lyre Billy Murphy & Donal Murphy

Nadd Clodagh McSweeney & Paudie O’Shea

Millstreet Eily Buckley & Sean Radley

Rathcoole Eamonn Hurley & Liz Burns

Firmount Margaret O’Donovan & Peter Cafferkey

New Tipperary Mamie O’Shea & Tony Horgan

Western Duhallow Communities IRD Duhallow Representatives

Ballydaly Willie Joe Moynihan & Donie Carroll

Ballydaly Richie O’ Connor & Tim Murphy

Ballydesmond Siobhan Moynihan & Billy Lane

Boherbue Margaret Murphy & Marie Casey

Cullen Tom Riordan & Hannah Kelleher

Gneeveguilla Cormac Collins & Caroline O’Sullivan

Kiskeam Paddy Joe O’Leary & Batt Casey

Knockaclarig June Walsh & Ide Fitzgerald

Knocknagree Geraldine O’Connor & Claire Fleming

Meelin Kathleen Lehane & Denis McAuliffe

Rathmore Donal McCarthy & Marie O’ Leary

Rockchapel Mike Allen & Nellie Curtin

Taur Batt O’Callaghan & Darby Murphy

Knocknaboul Maureen Fleming & Tim Fitzgerald

Toureencahill Cynthia Daly & Lil Fleming

Ballinahulla Liam Doody & Betty Collins

Shrone Conon Creedon & Colette Carmody

Foilogohig Annette O’Rielly & Geraldine Cremin.

North Eastern Duhallow Communities IRD Duhallow Representatives

Castlemagner James Twohig & Andy Burke

Cecilstown Mary Cooney & William Morrissey

Dromtariffe Gerald Murphy & John Linehan

Freemount Caroline O’Carroll & Pat Keane

Kanturk John Fuller & Tommy Mullane

Kilbrin Patrick Drumm & Sinead Lynch

Lismire Colmon Jones & Sheila Kearney

Newmarket Eilish Hourigan & Sean Browne

Tullylease Angela Hannigan & Mary O’Connell

ContentsPage

Chairman’s Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Manager ’s Repor t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

IRD Duhal low Ltd. Company Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

IRD Duhal low Board Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 , 6 , 7

Detai ls of Staf f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

LEADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Enterpr ise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 ,11

Warmer Homes Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Rural Socia l Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Agr iculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 , 15

Community Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 , 17

LEADER Projec ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 , 19

LCDP Projec ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

LCDP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Carers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Equal i ty, D isabi l i ty & Migrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Employment and Tra in ing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 , 25

Mental Health and Trans i t ion to Employment . . . . . . 26 , 27

Youth and Educat ion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 , 29

Women and Chi ldcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Parent ing Alone in Duhal low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Tour ism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Community Employment Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Duhal low Area Rura l Transpor t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Duhal low Community Food Ser v ices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Minister Mary Hanafin being presented with a copy of IRD Duhallow’s Annual Report withChairman Michael Twohig and Community Development Team Leader Eileen Linehan.D

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Chairman’s Address


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In reviewing my first year as Chairman of IRDDuhallow, I am struck by two things – firstly the scopeand scale of the work of IRD Duhallow in an everchanging environment and secondly how quickly thetime has flown.

My term as chair began with a review of theCompany’s Strategic plan and the key targets set bythe Board to be achieved over the next four years. It isan ambitious plan spanning economic, cultural,human and environmental development. Indeed thefirst thing we recognised is that LEADER or the LocalCommunity Development Programme on their ownor indeed together would not have the capacity todeliver what we had set out to be achieved.

With this thought in my mind I became aware of thegreat potential of other European Programmes andasked the Manager to explore the possibility ofaccessing the Life+ programme. I was rewarded with the chair of thesteering group. A comprehensive and ambitious plan, based on theriver Allow to promote biodiversity and in particular the fresh waterPearl Mussel, Salmon and King Fisher was submitted to the EuropeanCommission. I am delighted to report that IRD Duhallow has beensuccessful and with the support of the Department of the Environmentwe will be implementing a wide ranging environmental programmewhich will compliment LEADER, include the communities which aretargeted in the LCDP and support the farmers along the river.

This, I believe is the future of Rural Development – one organisation,deeply rooted in the community, enjoying the support of the statutorysector with the capacity and structures to deliver a wide range ofsupports and services for the betterment of their area.

The LEADER Partnership Companies in Ireland have demonstratedsuch capacity. I, as well as every other voluntary chairman in thecountry, welcome the very positive moves by the EuropeanCommissions DG Agri to loosen those constraints, which many of usbelieve were doing little by way of ensuring the proper delivery of theLEADER Programme, on which rural areas are depending for their verysurvival into the future. Minister Pat Carey, to whom we expend awarm welcome as Minister for Community, Equality and GaeltachtAffairs, who has assured us that the removal of the word “Rural” fromthe name of his department will not diminish in any way the role RuralDevelopment will have in the coming years..

The riding instructions we received from various Departments last yearwas to “do more with less” and while this proved a challenge for us I amgrateful for the support of the Chairs and members of our WorkingGroups and moreover the co-operation of the Company’smanagement and staff and am delighted to report that we haveindeed done more with less.

Our rural meal service, Duhallow Community Food Service delivered22,000 meals last year, an increase of 30% on the previous year. OurRural Transport Service carried 59,000 passengers and increase of 10%on the previous year. This service provides contracts valued at over€337,000 to 24 local hackneys and bus operators, ensuring the viabilityof their businesses. I must commend the Rural Transport Network,under the guidance of our own Jack Roche and his team, for a verysuccessful campaign which saw the Rural Transport Programmemaintained despite the recommendations of on Board Snip Nua. OurWarmer Homes initiative insulated 480 homes last year and has anincreased target of 710 homes this year.

Combined, these social enterprises are providing employment for 110people locally.

On the LCDP front we have seen an increase in the number ofunemployed seeking assistance and training from our Job Centre. 92people received training last year. We supported a further 80 farmersto access Farm Assist and the number of people being referred toMABS, which now has a weekly clinic in our offices has also increased. I was delighted to welcome the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport,

Mary Hanafin to launch the Walks Scheme which willbenefit 30 farmers along the Duhallow and AvondhuSections of the Munster Way with payments formaintenance work on the walk. This has beenespecially welcomed by the farmers, many of whomhave marginal hill land.

The difficult decisions, which I as Chairman had tosteer through this year, were made all the more easyby the support and advice of my fellow boardmembers, Michael Manning who is chair of the HRWorking Group and Michael Doyle who Chairs theFinance and Audit Sub Committee, in addition to thesteady advice from my Vice Chairman CormacCollins. The steadfast work and loyalty of ourManagement Team was crucial to the smoothimplementation of these difficult HR and Financialdecisions and I am delighted to report that staff

morale is high and there is a strong determination to reach even highertargets this year.

Pobal has forbidden any of its public funded programmes fromspending on Annual Reports. The Board is strong in its belief that thebest way of letting the people of Duhallow know about the servicesand supports available to them is through these reports. We made anappeal and got a tremendous response from community organisationsand businesses so that all our work, including the Pobal fundedCommunity Service Programme, Rural Transport and The LocalCommunity Development Programme can all have feature pages in thisProgress Report. I want to thank the Management and Staff and inparticular Theresa Collins who produced this years Progress Report.

IRD Duhallow continues with the Board rotation policy set down by thegovernment. This year we are loosing the state agencies, which havebeen represented heretofore and are replacing them with otheragencies relevant to the work and strategic focus of the organisation.Coillte, Teagasc and Cork Kerry Tourism will be replaced byrepresentatives from the ESB Networks, The Department of SocialProtection and the National Parks and Wildlife Services, I want to paytribute to outgoing Board Members, Jerry Donovan, Elaine White, PatKeane and Michael Manning. Michael Doyle, who stepped down asrepresentative of Coillte, I am pleased to say afterwards secured thenomination of the Environmental Pillar. Suzanne Campion in her newrole as Head of Business Development and currently South EasternRiver Basin Director will play a vital role in the steering groupoverseeing the implementation of the Life+ programme.

I was delighted to chair the Community elections in North EasternDuhallow recently where two of the five candidates nominated battledit out to win the 50% + 1 vote each to earn their seats on the board.The new Board Members Deirdre Green, John Cott, Barry O’ Donoghueand Cork County Council members Dan Joe Fitzgerald and John Paul O’Shea combine youth with community experience. Overall the Boardsgender balance, having taken a dive after the cohesion prescribedboard membership, I am delighted to report has improvedconsiderably and is now at 65% male to 35% female.

In conclusion and looking to the future there is every reason to beoptimistic. The reform of CAP offers us the opportunity to maximise theLEADER potential by creating a Third Pillar with a simplification of theregulations. Our Board has commissioned a review of the currentLEADER programme and the preliminary results shows IRD Duhallow tobe in the top three groups with respect to commitments and spend inthe 18 months since the programme was launched.

I am excited by the LEADER Young Entrepreneur Programme, which weare committed to along with the LEADER Partnerships in Kerry. This hasto be the future for rural areas: that our young people are supportedand trained from a young age to view entrepreneurship as a careerchoice and create wealth and jobs in Duhallow.

Michael Twohig CHAIRMAN

The Managers report last year began by predictingthat the company was facing into its mostchallenging of it’s twenty years in operation.Looking back now, no one in the organisationwould dispute that assertion. On top of theeconomic decline, poor milk prices and increasedunemployment, which put additional pressures onour work load, we were flooded before Christmasand snowed under in January and February. Butthe resilience of our communities which has beenhanded down from generation to generationshone through. For IRD Duhallow not only did theshow go on but essential services like the RuralMeals actually increased their output anddeliveries during the difficult winter. We areindebted to the courage of the staff in braving thetreacherous conditions on roads that were neithergritted nor salted to get into work in the first place,and furthermore to get into IRD Duhallow vans to deliver hot meals,and food essentials, insulate cold houses and provide vital RuralTransport. I for one was grateful to the inventor of the 4x4 andmust say that the hill country of Duhallow is no place for smart cars.

Just when we saw off the worst excesses of the weather andsubsequent clean up, the ravishes of public spending cuts struck in early spring. The very difficult decision of making twoadministration staff redundant had to be taken, but this was notenough to balance the reduced budget and the Chairman and Ihad to address staff again in June and tell them that a 10% pay cuthad to be sought. The savings from the pay cuts can be spent onfrontline services but with staff already stretched to the limit it willbe very difficult to maintain, moreover as the bureaucracy attachedto public funds grows apace. I must commend the Team Leadersand Staff for their co-operation and dedication to their work duringthis most difficult time.

I have no doubt but the source and inspiration of thisprofessionalism and loyalty comes from the volunteers that governthe Company and steer our work through the Working Groups. Ournewly elected Chairman calls in to the office regularly and duringthe difficult times, whether economic or weather related he phonedand visited on a daily basis. This level of commitment means a lotand is much appreciated by staff and management. Likewise theVice Chair and the Chairs and members of our Working Groupshave invested heavily in terms of time commitment to theorganisation and the results of the combined effort of volunteersand staff is outlined throughout this report. I wish to thank them fortheir work and support.

The changing economic climate has seen a marked increase inunemployment and under-employment, an immediate impact hasbeen seen in the decrease in numbers availing of our AfterschoolServices as one or both parents are off work and at home. Theviability of services such as this, hang in the balance as theeconomies of scale are harder to achieve., the removal of the granttowards fixed overheads has really compounded the problem.

The move by Rural Development Minister Éamon Ó Cuív to theDepartment of Social Protection, bringing with him the Rural SocialScheme, CSP and CE, we hope will bring increased opportunitiesfor the expansion of these schemes. The Rural Social Scheme hasproven itself over and over in terms of quality and scope of work,service to the community and also in terms of sustaining farmfamilies. If the Minister succeeds in broadening and expanding thescheme this Company is ready and able to take on the challengewith work plans at the ready to absorb up to four additionalschemes immediately.

Manager ’s Repor t


There is no doubt but the mandate from our Boardto strengthen our support to Enterprise so as tofacilitate the creation of new jobs as well assustaining those jobs already in the area. Plans areat an advanced stage for a major EnterpriseConference in October to which we have invitedDuhallow’s own, Minister Batt O’ Keeffe to joinDragons’Den star Sean Gallagher, UniversityCollege Cork Enterprise Lecturer Owen O’ Brienand successful local Entrepreneur Dan Buckley.The significant role of Social Enterprises in futurejob creation has been tasked to the ManagementTeam of IRD Duhallow because of their impressivetrack record in social entrepreneurship.

The Excellence Through People Standard which weare proud to hold from FÁS is testament to the notinconsiderable investment our Board makes in

management and staff development. Our entire management teamhas been grown in-house and many of our Development Officersand indeed even Team Leaders started in work experienceplacements. I would like to thank Marie Fleming for successfullymanaging the Excellence Through People accreditation process.The decision of the Department of Community Equality andGaeltacht Affairs and the NUI to put forward a Diploma and Degreein Rural Development through distance learning funded by LEADERis indeed welcome. This will open up opportunities for staff andcommunity volunteers to take up future Rural Developmentpositions.

Due to the fact that many of our services are directed to childrenand vulnerable adults Garda Vetting has become standard for mostof our operations and contracts. Derval Corbett has been assignedas one of two officers nationally, who is tasked with its smoothimplementation in all LEADER Partnerships.

The courtesy and professionalism of our Department InspectorBreeda Doody in carrying out her work under the new intensiveinspection regime has been noted by Board, Management and Staffand I am personally grateful to her and the Department’s RuralDevelopment Team in Tubbercurry for their support and guidancewith LEADER.

I also want to acknowledge, Liz O’ Connor as our new Case Officer inPobal for her support and guidance with our Pobal fundedprogrammes, and welcome Orla McEntee as our Rural TransportCase Officer.

Our Rural Social Schemes have been expertly guided by Aidan O’Rielly, Nora Durcan and the Rural Social Scheme Unit in Tubbercurryand Dannielle Byrne along with Tracy Coyne and the Pobal Team inClifden.

I must pay special tribute to our Team Leaders Eileen Linehan andCatherine Crowley and also Triona Murphy who stepped in forCatherine during maternity leave. It was a year of terrible personaltragedy for Eileen, with the loss of her husband Dominic at such ayoung age, but her courage, selflessness and utter professionalism isan inspiration. I am indebted to the Team Leaders, DevelopmentOfficers and Staff with whom I am honoured to work.

Having “weathered” all that this past year has thrown at us I believethat this organisation has emerged stronger and more resilient anddetermined to provide the best service we can to all the people ofDuhallow on behalf of the various government departments andEuropean Commission Directorates whose Development Policies weimplement on the ground.

Maura WalshMANAGER

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IRD Duhal low Ltd. Company Structure


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Social Partners

IRD DuhallowBoard2010

CHILDCARE

CULTURE & HERITAGE

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT

CARERS

CARE AND REPAIR

MENTAL ILLHEALTH

Local AuthoritiesEnvironment

Forum

Independant Project Evaluation

Operational Sub-Committees Strategic Working Groups Strategic Working Group Sub-Committees Independant Evaluation

IRD Duhallow was first established in 1989 and is a companylimited by guarantee without share capital. It has charitablestatus and our directors are voluntary and receive noremuneration for their contribution.

The Company has adopted the good governance guidelinesas prescribed by the Department of Community, Equalityand Gaeltacht Affairs. It’s Memorandum and Articles ofAssociation also reflect this best practice and are inaccordance with the New Charities Act.

The Board membership has been laid down by Governmentand reflects the integration of Social Inclusion with RuralDevelopment, the importance of the environment andcommunity volunteers and the democratically elected LocalAuthority Members.

Reflective of the integrated nature of our work, theCompany’s Board and Sub Committee Structures have

evolved over the years and enjoy a massive amount ofgood will and voluntary contribution in the region.Upwards of 3,500 people participate from the bottom upin these structures.

IRD Duhallow has a number of working groups withrepresentatives from our Board and staff as well ascommunity and state sector representatives. Thisstructure allows us to target specific expertise beneficialto the implementation of the strategic aims of theparticular working group.

IRD Duhallow continues to strive for excellence throughthe ongoing training and development of our staff. Wehave maintained the FAS Excellence Through PeopleStandard, Ireland’s standard for Human resourceManagement.

IRD Duhal low Board Members


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LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND SOCIAL PARTNERS

Michael TwohigMichael was elected chair of IRD Duhallowlast September. He is a founder member ofIRD Duhallow and served as FinanceDirector until he stepped down in 1996. He was reappointed to the Board in 2007representing Kanturk Chamber ofCommerce. With his wife Noreen hemanages the family owned Supervalu inKanturk, Abbeyfeale and Askeaton. A keenangler and hunter he has developed anumber of angling projects in Duhallow.Michael is an active member of theEnterprise Working Group, Finance andAudit Working Group and HR Committee.

John CooneyJohn represents the Trade Union Movementon the Board of IRD Duhallow. He served asan official with SIPTU, the Services IndustrialProfessional and Technical Union. John livesin Cork City, is married to Linda and theyhave three children. John is based at theMallow Office where he is a Branch Organiser. He has been an active memberof IRD Duhallow’s Employment and TrainingWorking Group for the past number ofyears.

John LinehanJohn, a full time Dairy Farmer fromDromtariffe was elected on to the Board in July 2009 as a representative of the farmingsector. John, who is married to Angela, has adiploma in Rural Development. He isChairman of Dromtariffe IFA, is an activemember of the Duhallow IFA and is on theregional committee for Dairygold Co-Op. Heis also the Secretary of DromtariffeCommunity Centre and sits on ourAgriculture Working Group and a memberof the IRD Duhallow Focal FarmerProgramme.

Conor CreedonConor was appointed to the Board in 2007as a representative of the farming sector. Heis a member of the ICMSA (Irish CreameryMilk Suppliers Association) and participateson its Administrative Committee. Conor is adairy farmer who along with his wife Elishamanages the family farm in Rathmore, Co Kerry. He is an active member of IRDDuhallow’s Agriculture Working Group andis the Boards Representative on KerryCounty Development Board.

John Paul O’SheaJohn Paul was elected to the board of IRDDuhallow as a representative from CorkCounty Council in September 2009. At just26 years of age, he is one of the youngestcouncilors in the country. John Paul, wholives in Laharn, has been involved in manyprojects in his community including therevival of dancing at Laharn Cross and therenovation of the old schoolhouse into anew Community, Cultural & HeritageCentre. John Paul chairs the Youth andEducation Working Group is an activemember of the Employment and TrainingWorking Group.

Dan Joe FitzgeraldDan Joe is an elected member of MallowTown Council since 1994 and Cork CountyCouncil since 1999. He is Director of NorthCork Enterprise Board and MallowDevelopment Partnership. Dan Joe isChairman of Housing SPC, Chairman ofNorth Cork Area Roads Committee, amember of the Corporate Policy Group,Cork County Library and Cork CDB. Hechairs IRD Duhallow’s Enterprise WorkingGroup and is actively involved in manysporting organisations including theDuhallow Hunt.

John SheahanJohn was re-elected to Kerry CountyCouncil in 2009 and was re-appointed tothe Board of IRD Duhallow. He is an activemember of his local community in Killarneyand is a member of the Tralee RoadResidence Committee and the Legion GAAClub. John is a member of the Kerry CountyCouncil’s Planning SPC, The KillarneyNational Liaison Committee, and theAssociations of County & City Councils. He isalso on the Board of South KerryPartnership and the Rural Water Committeeof Kerry County Council.

Marie Maloney Marie Moloney was elected to Kerry CountyCouncil in 2009 and subsequentlynominated to the Board of IRD Duhallow.With over 17 years in the political scene, shehas worked with local communities andknows the area well. Marie was recentlyelected as Deputy Mayor of Kerry, is also onthe Board of South Kerry DevelopmentPartnership, Kerry Education Services, theHSE and Rural Water Committee. Marie livesin Kilcummin is an active member of voluntary and community organisations inthe Killarney Area.



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STATUTORY FORUM AND ENVIRONMENTAL PILLAR

John BreenJohn Breen joined the Board of IRDDuhallow in September 2008, as a nomineeof the Kerry County Manager. John holdsthe position of Director of Services, Housing& Social Support and Community andEnterprise. He is also Killarney TownManager. John and his staff support thework of the Kerry CDB and also have anoverseeing role in relation to Kerry LocalSports Partnership, Kerry Enterprise ActionTeam, Kerry County Library and KerryCommunity & Voluntary Forum.

Tom StritchTom Stritch is Director of Services for theNorthern Division of Cork County Counciland joined the Board of IRD Duhallow in2008 as the nominee of the Cork CountyManager. He has responsibility for themanagement of services including;housing, roads, water, waste, litter,recreation, and amenities, deliveredthrough Divisional offices in Mallow to areaoffices including Charleville, Kanturk,Millstreet and Newmarket. He is also TownManager for both Fermoy and Mallow Town Councils.

Suzanne CampionSuzanne Campion represents InlandFisheries Ireland where she is Head ofBusiness Development and currently SouthEastern River Basin Director. She is amember of the Southern and EasternRegional Assembly’s Agriculture and RuralDevelopment Sub-Committee, and workswith Waterford Leader Partnership andWORD on various projects. Suzanne hasworked as a manager and accountant in thepublic and private sectors. She is involved inthe management, protection, developmentand conservation of the rivers and theirhabitats in the Region. Her role involvesmarketing, public relations, education andoutreach, state fisheries and sustainabledevelopment of fisheries.

Cormac CollinsCormac is ESB Networks Area Manager, andhas been appointed to the Board torepresent ESB Networks, having previouslyserved as Community Representative forWestern Duhallow. ESB has worked closelywith IRD Duhallow’s CLÁR in deliveringthree phase electricity to many smallindustries in Duhallow and has supportedthe Warmer Home Scheme since thebeginning. He is chair of GneeveguillaCommunity Council, one of Duhallow’smost active, whose plan has won support ofKerry County Council, LEADER and CLARand received the Kerry Community Awards.He serves on the HR, Finance andCommunity Development Working Groups.

Barry O’DonoghueBarry joins the board this year. He is theNational Parks and Wildlike Service Ranger for Duhallow, charged primarilywith the protection of the area’s wildlife andhabitats. Barry hails from a background ofnature conservation and farming. He has aDegree and Master’s from UCD onAgriculture and Environmental Science. He is currently completing his Doctorate atUCC, which is focused on one of Ireland’srarest and most threatened birds of prey, the Hen Harrier, for which Duhallow is oneof the most important areas in Europe.

Michael DoyleMichael represents the EnvironmentalForum on the board. He is chair of the Finance Committee and also chairs theEquality, Disability and Migrants Working Group. He represents IRDDuhallow on the Cork CountyDevelopment Board and the Cork SportsPartnership Board. He also represents theBoard of IRD Duhallow on several NationalFora dealing withEquality and Intergration.Michael liaises with the Sports council ofIreland and the National Trails Committeeon the development and maintenance of long distance and looped walks.



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COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST AND COMMUNITY FORUM

Hannah KelleherHannah is from Cullen and was elected torepresent Western Duhallow on the Boardin June 2008. A national School Teacher, shewas appointed Principal of Cullen PrimarySchool in 2004. She actively supports theannual Cullen Feis. She is Vice-Chair of ourYouth and Education Working Group andsits on the Community DevelopmentWorking Group. Hannah has a keen interestin culture and heritage and promotes prideof place locally and nationally.

John KirwinJohn was elected by the South EasternDuhallow Forum to the Board in 2009. Through his involvement with Banteer, Lyreand Districts Community Council, he co-ordinated the training and setting-up of anaction group that now has over thirtytrained responders and three defibrillatorsin his local community. He also chairs theBoard of Banteer Community ChildcareServices. John serves on the CommunityDevelopment Working Group and he workswith the Department of Justice & LawReform, based in Cork.

Sheila CrowleySheila was elected to the Board of IRDDuhallow in June 2009 to represent the South Eastern Duhallow Region. She is inher third year as secretary of Laharn Community Action Group and has workeddiligently with the Group to transform the Old School House at Laharn in to anewly refurbished Heritage Centre. Sheila is a chef by profession and is proprietor ofArd Na Coill Bed and Breakfast in Laharn, situated on the Duhallow Waywalking route.

Judy O’LearyJudy represents Women’s Group of theBoard of IRD Duhallow. She chairs the Women & Childcare Working Group and is amember of the HR Working Group. Judy is afounder member of the Duhallow Women’sForum. She is actively involved with the IrishCountry Women’s Association and is PublicRelations and Information Officer forDromtariffe Guild. She has also served asVice Chair of IRD Duhallow.

Jack RocheJack Roche is from Rockchapel andrepresents SAOĺ Network of Active Retired Groups. He sits on the Social Economy and Community Development Working Groups. He is chairman of IRD Duhallow’sAgriculture Working Group and representsIRD Duhallow on Kerry CommunityTransport and ILDN. Jack represents ILDNon ELARD the European Association for Rural Development of which he is a pastpresident. He sits on the Rural DevelopmentForum.

John CottJohn was recently elected to the Board ofIRD Duhallow to represent the North Eastern Community Forum. He is a beeffarmer from Cecilstown in the parish of Castlemagner. He is a long time member ofCastlemagner GAA club, is also involvedwith the Ladies Football Club, the HallCommittee and Lohort, CecilstownDevelopment Association. He has alsoserved as Chairman of Kanturk Mart. John is married to Una and they have threechildren.

Deirdre Green Deirdre is from Freemount and was electedto the board in June 2010 to representNorth East Duhallow. She holds a Bachelorof Business from Cork Institute ofTechnology and a Higher Diploma inEducation which she completed inUniversity of Limerick. Currently, she worksas an accountant in Mallow. Deirdre is verypassionate about the development of ruralareas and is deeply involved in thedevelopment of her local community. Sheis a founding member of FreemountBadminton Club and currently JointTreasurer of Freemount CommunityDevelopment Association.


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Detai ls of Staf fEILEEN LINEHAN, B.A. (Econ & Geog), MBS(Business Economics), Dip. Personnel Mng.With nine years experience in Rural Development, Eileenwas appointed Community Development Team Leader in2006 having previously managed the Enterprise Teamand has responsibility for the LDSIP & LEADERProgrammes. She prepares the Programme of Activitiesand oversees the financial operations of RSS, FAS CE,Warmer Homes, NCIP and all project budgets. Eileenmonitors the progress of the programmes through theSCOPE & LEADER performance monitoring systems andrepresents Community Partnerships on the Cork CountyChildcare Committee and Pobal’s Pension Board.

TRIONA MURPHY, B.Sc Public Health & HealthPromotion; Cert in Corporate Finance &Venture CapitalTriona completed a summer placement with theCommunity Development Team in 2007 and returned inJune 2008. Triona is the Youth and CommunityDevelopment Officer for Western Duhallow. She works inanimation and capacity building with the communitiesand through LEADER funding assists them to develophigh quality local services and amenities. Triona alsosupports the work of the Youth and Education WorkingGroup. She is staff officer for the Duhallow CarersSupport Group, the Towards Occupation Programme, theSAOI Network and the Dyslexia Support Group.

HELEN O’SULLIVAN, B.Soc.Sc., M.Soc.Sc, DipCom, Leadership & Mgt, Cert in Agri.With over 5 years experience in Rural DevelopmentHelen is the Youth and Community Development Officerfor the Eastern Duhallow region where she supportscommunity & voluntary groups to develop throughanimation & capacity building. Helen is the co-ordinatorof IRD Duhallows After-Schools Service and she is alsothe staff resource for The Duhallow Women’s Forum, TheBereavement Support Group & The Domestic ViolenceSupport Group. Helen supports the work of both theCommunity Development, the Youth & Education andthe Social Economy Working Groups.

MARY McHUGH B.B.S. Postgraduate Dip inRural Development, Food, Marketing and Co-operative Studies. Cert in CommunityDevelopment. Cert in Health & Safety in theWorkplaceMarie joined IRD Duhallow in May 2006 as clerical officer;she provides administration support to DevelopmentOfficers and supports the Managers participation on anumber of National Fora. Marie co-ordinates the monthlyboard pack and provides the administrative support forExcellence Through People, Ireland’s standard for humanresource development and co-ordinates training for staff members. Marie represents the staff as SafetyRepresentative on the Health and Safety Committee.

DERVAL CORBETT, ECDLWith 10 years service as Clerical Officer, Derval is based inthe Reception and Administration Office. She deals withgeneral enquiries, administration and is responsible forcompany’s stationery orders and oversees the Company’sIT systems. She supports the Manager in her participationon a number of National Networks and is the AuthorisedSignatory for the processing of CLE Garda VettingApplications. She is also editor of the monthly Newsletterwhich is circulated to 10,000 homes in Duhallow.

CATHERINE CROWLEY, B.Sc (Food Business),M.Sc. (Food Marketing)With over seven years experience in Rural DevelopmentCatherine is the Enterprise Team Leader with IRDDuhallow. She promotes enterprise, craft and tourismdevelopment that will bring vital jobs to Duhallow andshe facilitates training, development and buildingnetworks in the business community. She oversees theday to day operations of staff within the enterprise teamand the operations of the Community ServiceProgrammes, DART and the Rural Meals Services.

MARGARET O’CONNOR, MAAT, AIPA With thirteen years service, Margaret is the SeniorAccounts Administrator with IRD Duhallow. She isresponsible for the establishment and maintenance of thecompany’s financial systems and procedures and theimplementation of the apportionment of overheadsacross the various programmes delivered includingLEADER and LDSIP. She also oversees the Payroll andPension administration and prepares Financial Reports forManagement and the Board of Directors.

KATIE CROWLEY, B.B.S, Higher Dip in FoodMkt, Rural Dev & Co-ops, Cert in Agri. Katie joined IRD Duhallow in 2007. She is responsible forthe Diversification & Agri Tourism measure of LEADER andthe Focal Farmer Programme. Katie supports the work ofthe Agriculture Working Group and the EnvironmentalForum. Through a range of innovative initiatives theprogrammes supports over 400 farm families in Duhallow.Katie actively promotes participation on the Rural SocialScheme, provides one to one supports, assist farmersdevelop business plans and organises various tailoredtraining programmes throughout the year.

MARIE FLEMING, Diploma in Business Skills,PR and Marketing. Cert in Health & SafetyMarie joined IRD Duhallow in May 2006 as Clerical Officer.In addition to dealing with general queries in the frontoffice she provides administrative assistance to theDevelopment Officers and supports the Managersparticipation on a number of National Fora. Marie alsoprovides the administrative support for ExcellenceThrough People, Ireland’s standard for human resourcedevelopment and represents the staff as SafetyRepresentative on the H&S Committee.

KASIA MELLER, MA in Political Science, IPASSPayroll TechnicianKasia, originally from Napole, a village in Central Poland,was appointed Accounts Officer in March 2007. In January2008, Kasia took over as Finance Officer on theCommunity Development Team. She is responsible for thepreparation of weekly and monthly wages and accountsfor RSS, Warmer Homes, FÁS CE, Out of school andDormant Accounts Fund (Carers), financial reports for theSocial Economy Working Group and the Board as well asPobal.

MARTINA O’SULLIVAN SEB (SecretarialStudies), Payroll TechnicianMartina was appointed Accounts Administrator inFebruary 2007. She is responsible for the preparation ofweekly and monthly accounts and completes the reportssubmitted to Pobal and the Department on a monthlyand quarterly basis. She also assists in the compilation offinancial reports presented to the Finance Board on amonthly basis. Martina completed the IPASS CertifiedPayroll Technician Course in May 2009.


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In spite of the challenges posed by the regulations of the newprogramme, LEADER is running successfully and on target inDuhallow. During the 2 year interregnum period between LEADER+the current programme, IRD Duhallow undertook extensiveanimation and capacity building in the community. This ensured thateach community was in a position to submit projects for evaluationonce the new programme was announced last year.

IRD Duhallow has committed over €2.0 million of the €7.4millionavailable for projects up to 2013 and we have paid out over€500,000. We have the second highest commitment level in thecountry and we are on target to spend a further €700,000 before the EU year end in September this year.

Following additional community meetings held over the past twelvemonths throughout around Duhallow, the uptake of funding underthe Basic Services to the Rural Population measure has beenimmense. It is under this measure that community facilities andculture are funded and the measure is nearing 86% commitmentstage which is indicative of the quality projects coming forward andthe huge voluntary effort of our communities. Considerablecommitment of rural communities to enhance their towns and

villages is also evident in this programme. Inter-territorial co-operation aims to achieve the critical massnecessary for a project to be viable. IRD Duhallow has embarked on a number of such projects, for example Isobel Fletcher will beengaged co-operatively by LEADER groups to support the promotionof artisan food projects and organise the “Food Village” at the National Ploughing Championships.

LEADER in Duhallow

Maura Walsh receiving apresentation of a goldwatch from Eileen Linehanand Catherine Crowley onbehalf of the staff of IRDDuhallow to mark her 20th

year with the company.

Individual LAG’s could not afford such expertise, but together we havethe critical mass to make the appointment viable. The LEADER YoungEntrepreneur Programme is another example where 4 LAG’s in theKerry/North West Cork Region have come together to deliver thisinnovative project to young people.

The take up in the enterprisemeasure is on target, despite beingconfined to micro enterprises whichhave less than ten employees andour portfolio of rural tourism projectsare set to enhance our position as anactivity holiday destination in thevery competitive South West Region. The Training Measure despite itsrestriction to non accredited traininghas nevertheless delivered 14training programmes to 3000 peoplein the past year. The development ofour Culture and Heritage throughLEADER, has also started to impactwith strong projects coming from the Western region of Duhallowespecially. Finally the interim evaluation of the programme which the Board has commissioned shows a good geographical spread of projects, with commitments and spend on target.

Maura Walsh has a look over herpresentation to the EuropeanConference “The Role of Women inSustainable Rural Development”.

Members of the late James O’ Keeffe’s family at our Annual Board Dinnercelebrating IRD Duhallow’s 20 years in existence. Presentations of portraits of The James O’ Keeffe Institute were made to members of the O’ Keeffe familySeamus, Morty, John and Dan with Maura Walsh and Michael Twohig.

Cllr Timmy Collins who chaired an Information Evening to promote the benefits ofBroadband pictured here with Katie Crowley of IRD Duhallow, Brian Purcell, NiallBoon and Fergus Sharkey of 3 Mobile.

Ms Breda Dooley, Dept Inspector withTeam Leaders Eileen Linehan, TrionaMurphy and Catherine Crowley.

Chairman of IRD Duhallow Michael Twohigaddressing the Annual Board Dinner.

Eileen Linehan IRD Duhallow, Pat Carey Minister of Community, Equality andGaeltacht Affairs with Maura Walsh of IRD Duhallow


IRD Duhallow has played a pivotal role in the development of theDuhallow economy providing business information, advice, training,research, mentoring, management development supports andcapital grants. The Enterprise Development working grouprecognises the difficult challenges being faced by companies in thecurrent economic storm and remains focused on providing practicalsupport and solutions to the enterprise sector in generating growthand jobs. Some enterprises are operating in economic circumstancesthat they have never seen before however the longer establishedones have survived previous recessions and are facing severechallenges in terms of securing their businesses and retaining jobs.Despite these difficulties, the development of enterprise and thelevel of entrepreneurship in remote rural communities in Duhallowcontinues to be positively influenced by both LEADER and the LocalCommunity Development Programme. Innovation is, and willcontinue to be, a crucial success factor.

The structure of the rural economy is changing rapidly and willcontinue to do so and as it changes the need for more diverse formsof employment readily accessible by the rural population becomeseven greater. The job losses in the manufacturing sector over the lastnumber of years have not been recouped and the more recentdecline in the construction and retail sector has exacerbated thesituation. Our enterprise strategies over the last number of years havesupported many indigenous enterprises to expand and diversifycreating a steady stream of rural enterprises and sustainableemployment. LEADER supported industries now account for 21% ofall industrial employment in Duhallow.

IRD Duhallow’s Enterprise andCraft Network IRD Duhallow’s EnterpriseNetwork members meet on amonthly basis to discuss business issues, share business advice andget help with building and promoting their business. The structureencourages networking opportunities and facilitates informationdissemination for small business owners.

Supports to BusinessLEADER’s Business Creation and Development Measure providescapital grants of 50% up to €150,000, Analysis and Developmentgrants of up to 75%. LCDP targets the long term unemployed and selfemployed. Increasing the capacity of local business owners throughour Mentor Programme will undoubtly lead to the growth ofstronger companies in the area and ultimately job creation.

Enterpr ise Business TrainingProgrammesOver the last twelve monthsnearly one hundredentrepreneurs have taken partin a diverse range of highquality subsidised trainingprogrammes covering a widevariety of business topics. TheWorking Group would alsolike to acknowledge thesupport of the Department ofSocial Protection in co-funding two Self EmploymentOptions Programmes and OneBusiness FundamentalsTraining course where almost fifty people who are on a Social Welfarepayment have benefited from specific training to acquire the basicbusiness skills and disciplines to assist them in their business start-up.

The Next Generation of EntrepreneursThriving entrepreneurship in all parts of Duhallow is fundamental toour enterprise strategy and to Duhallow’s economic growth andemployment potential. IRD Duhallow will celebrate Duhallow’s nextgeneration of Business Leaders by fostering student Entrepreneurship.Kerry has been awarded European Entrepreneurial Region for 2011and IRD Duhallow together with the three LEADER groups in Kerry aredeveloping an Inter-territorial LEADER project to fund the LEADERYoung Entrepreneur Programme. LEADER Young EntrepreneurProgramme will promote entrepreneurship as a natural career choiceamong the young people of the region. The programme will be rolledout in 18 Secondary Schools in Kerry & 5 Secondary Schools inDuhallow beginning in September.

Economic InfrastructureAdvanced and competitive broadband infrastructure is critical tosupport economic development and to enhance the attractiveness ofthe Duhallow area for enterprise development and investment. Inconjunction with broadband providers IRD Duhallow is takingpractical steps to extend broadband services across the entireDuhallow area. Work is ongoing with 3G, the company responsible for

Business Fundamentals Trainingfunded by LCDP and Dept of SocialProtection.

Celine’s Handmade Beligan Style Wafflesproved popular in the LEADER Food Villageat the National Ploughing Championship.

Speakers at a Enterprise Network Workshop Cathriona O’ Keeffe HR Consultant,Seamus Hayes Training Consultant, pictured with Enterprise Chairman MichaelForde and Mary McHugh of IRD Duhallow.

LEADER Rural Enterprise Sapphire Signswinning the finest National Marketsand now approaching Internationalmarkets, pictured here with DirectorBrendan Dennehy and a staff memberof the graphic design team putting thefinal touches to a Dairygold truck.

LEADER supported enterprise DCP Plasticsdirector Padraig Sheehan established hisbusiness with LEADER support.

Catherine Crowley and Eileen Linehan of IRD Duhallow with Derry Sheehan,Director of LEADER funded JJS Wind Generator Repair Services at thecommissioning of plant. This new business will create 8 new jobs. IRD Duhallow hasplans for this region to become a Centre of Excellence in Renewable Energy Service.

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the National roll-out of Broadband facilities to ensure allcommunities have an efficient broadband service. Permanet andRipple Communication are the other broadband providers in thearea. Rockchapel and Meelin are two communities in Duhallowwhere broadband coverage was extremely poor and in April of thisyear ‘3’ went live in Clonfert East, Clonfert West, Glenlara, Rowls,Knockatooan, Barnacurra, Glenlara and Meens.

Craft SectorOur creative enterprises are capable of generating premiumcommercial, community and cultural wealth for the region and IRDDuhallow has made a significant contribution to the development ofthe craft sector and in developing an environment that nurturesniche opportunities. These enterprises have the potential to forgeahead with creative and innovative thinking. The “Hands ofDuhallow” network, now in its fifth year places particular emphasison raising consumer awareness, promoting craft at a retail level anddeveloping craft enterprises in Duhallow. IRD Duhallow recognisesthe challenges faced by craft workers and artist and through supportfrom the Local Community Development Programme, the annual IRDDuhallow Craft/Art Fair was held at the Glen Theatre, Banteer inNovember. Due to pressure on space, because of an increasingnumber of stall holders, the Hands of Duhallow craft fair will behosted at James O’KeeffeInstitute, Newmarket inNovember 2010. The uniqueevent attracted large crowdsand succeeded in unitingvarious arts, crafts, culturaland culinary interests.

Food SectorRural abattoirs and meatestablishments are a key partof the rural economy and area vital component of thelocal food offering. Inrecognition of theimportance of the meatindustry the need to providean integrated supportprogramme for thechallenged rural abattoirsector was prioritised. Atraining programme wasdeveloped by Isobel Fletcher,

Enterpr iseLEADER The SmallFood Co-ordinatorentitled “Meat Matters”.It brings togetherLEADER Organisations,Local AuthorityVeterinary Officers andRural abattoir ownersto provideparticipating abattoirswith the skills todevelop and marketthe quality of meatbeing produced.Business developmentplans, consumer ledmarketing, qualitycontrol are just someof the features in thisexciting new initiativeto help achievebusiness sustainability.

The LCDP funded new business Celine’s Handmade Beligan StyleWaffles received support towards the cost of exhibiting at the LEADERFood Village at the National Ploughing Championships in Athy,Kildare. Attracting over 200,000 people annually Duhallow foodproducers, Celine and Gerald Mulcaire had a very successful threedays with plenty foodies dropping by to taste the fresh waffles.

Hannah McAuliffe contacted IRD Duhallow for assistance intransforming her past-time of baking into a niche food business tosupport her family through the recession. Presented perfectly anddecorated with the likes of edible flowers, the promoter established avery successful cup cake business. They are in popular demand forsuch occasions as weddings, christenings, birthdays and parties.

The Board will continue to encourage enquiries and applications forassistance from entrepreneurs in all eligible sectors. Projects need tobe well researched, market-led and properly resourced with a detailedBusiness and Financial Plan demonstrating their viability. There isalmost €1 million for Micro Enterprise Grants in Duhallow.

Cathal Cronin, Cronin’s Traditional FamilyButchers, Kanturk cuts the slicing edge ofinnovation at a recent LEADER funded MeatMatters Technical Training Workshop forartisan butchers.

Ollie O’Riordan, Jack and Tim McCarthy who is thefifth generation artisan butchers since 1882. Bronzemedal winners from Blas na hEireann Food Awardsand gold medal from La Confré des Chevaliers duGoute Boudin in France.

Local FoodProducer PeterMcCabe ofBallymaquirke Fruit Farm picks only his fineststrawberries for his Jams.

Bridging the Digital Divide in Duhallow at Broadband Information Night wasCouncillor Timmy Collins showing Brian Purcell of 3G the blackspots in the Duhallowarea with Katie Crowley, IRD Duhallow.

HannahMcAuliffebakes anddecoratesperfectly madeCup Cakesbefore beingboxed andbeautifully tiedwith ribbon fordelivery orcollection.


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COLM CROWLEY, Certificate inBusiness Studies (Marketing)Colm joined IRD Duhallow in July 2007 asthe Duhallow Warmer HomesCoordinator and is responsible for theday to day running of the scheme.Coming from the private sector hebrought with him a range of experience,particularly in marketing and customerrelations. He is a registered BER Assessorwith the Sustainable Energy Authority ofIreland.

The Warmer Homes Scheme aims to alleviate fuel poverty byproviding an energy efficient dwelling and reducing heat loss in thehome through insulating attics and draught proofing external doorsand windows, reducing fuel cost by installing lagging jackets and lowenergy light bulbs. Fuel poverty has a major impact on the lives ofpeople affected including health issues and IRD Duhallow’s WarmerHomes Scheme aims to alleviate fuel poverty for the elderly andthose on social welfare.

Since the scheme was first rolledout in Duhallow in 2006, 820homes have had their atticsinsulated and 80 homes havereceived cavity wall insulationwhich we introduced last year.The scheme itself is funded bythe Department ofCommunications, Energy andNatural Resources through thenewly renamed SustainableEnergy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).The Duhallow Warmer Homesinitiative was piloted with 7 RSS

participants but demand grew soquickly that we required full timeco-ordinator and administration.The Community ServicesProgramme made availablefunding for a co-ordinator and fourstaff. More recently SEAI hasfunded a further 6 installersbringing the total employed to 18.

Cavity wall insulation service wasapproved and last year wecommenced the roll out

immediately. This now means that IRD Duhallow WHS can provide anall inclusive service to our elderly and those most in need. We haveput a third vehicle into service, staffed through CSP, SEAI and RSS.Householders who have received this service reported an immediateimprovement in heat retention in their home, which has enabledthem to cut back on their consumption of heating oil, thereby savingmoney.

Warmer Homes In i t iat iveWe are in no doubt that the incidence of serious respiratory illnessthis past winter, would have been much higher, had not been for thisimportant service. All of our installers have completed FETAC ThermalInstaller Insulation training. In the past few months, five members ofour staff qualified to provide a Building Energy Rating assessmentservice in anticipation of SEAI’s requirement that each house weinsulate have an energy rating before and after insulation.

The ESB Networks continue to support our Warmer Homes Schemeand to date have supplied over 4,500 low energy light bulbs and 580hot water lagging jackets as well as 2 vehicles donated in 2007. We arevery grateful to Anne Allen, Public Relations Officer with ESBNetworks, for her support with the project again this year.

Care and Repair DuhallowIn carrying out our insulationwork we noticed that severalolder people’s houses neededsmall repair jobs but hadnobody to carry them out. As aresult, we established DuhallowCare and Repair in associationwith Age Action Ireland. Themain aim is to carry outnecessary small repairs andimprovements to the homesof the elderly, enabling them to live independently in thecommunity in increasedcomfort and safety. To date wehave recruited and Age ActionIreland trained ten volunteers.Work is referred to them by ourinstallers. The service is free tothose who cannot afford it;they only pay for materialsused. We also provide a tradereferral system for jobs thatneed a professionaltradesperson from ourdatabase of reliable trade’s people.

Monitored and Smoke AlarmsThe Scheme of Community Support for Older People providesfunding for initiatives to improve the security and social support ofvulnerable older people. In 2009, IRD Duhallow received funding andour WHS installed socially monitored alarms, smoke alarms, windowlocks, door chains and security lighting for a number of vulnerableolder people.

We are registered with the NationalStandards Authority of Ireland as an approved installer to provideThermosnug Cavity Wall Insulation.

Andrew Graham and Liam Buicke demonstrate to Inspector Joe Twomey the correctprocedure to drill for cavity wall insulation as part of our NSAI inspection.

Deputy Sean Sherlockwith Colm Crowley at thehome of Evelyn Lawlor inMallow whose attic wasinsulated by IRDDuhallow Warmer HomesScheme. Deputy Sherlockhas encouraged severalpeople to avail of thisservice in this region.

Colm Crowley reviews the weekly workschedule with Mary Cherry and DeniseMcGeough. Warmer Homes Schemeinsulate 18 houses per week.

“I am writing to send my sincere thanks for organising the insulation of the attic and cavity walls in my house a few weeks’ ago. I can already feel the difference, and for once, am not dreading the winter!Your team were both professional and pleasant and explained the system to me carefully. Please extend my thanks to them also.I feel privileged to have been able to avail of this marvellous offer

and am very grateful.”

Letter from : Thomas Harrison, Gneeveguilla, Rathmore, Co. Kerry May 17th 2010

Attic Insulation: Having insulated 400attics in 2009 and increased our target to 470 attics for 2010. We currently havethree teams insulation attics.

Initially one team of installers was trainedbut we have set up a third cavity wallteam, to deal with increased demand.


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BackgroundThe scheme was introduced nationally in 2004 to provide additionalincome for low income farmers or their family members whileoffering communities and associations additional labour forcommunity projects and services. The value to the participants and the Duhallow region in economic terms is valued at €1million annually.

ParticipantsThe 58 participants on the schemehave a very strong work ethic andthe skills that they possess haveplayed a major role in the success ofthe RSS in Duhallow. The schemehas significantly improved thequality of the lives of its participantsthrough income security, increasedsocial interaction and also improvedskills and increased self esteemwhile flexible hours of workfacilitates them to continue withtheir normal farm activities.

CommunitiesCommunities are welcome to request support from the RSS in theregion. Many of the participants have responsibility for thecaretaking and maintenance of community and sporting facilitieswhile also providing support to 8community childcare facilitiesthroughout Duhallow. RSS participants in the past year havecompleted painting projects on community facilities and continue towork in the preparation and delivery of meals for the elderly in DCFSand in insulation of attics and walls inthe Warmer Homes Scheme. Due tothe down turn in the economy theRSS materials budget has beenseverely cut. Communities and groupshave generously made up this cut byagreeing to contribute towards thecost of materials and running costs ofequipment. The willingness ofCommunities to contribute towardsthe RSS highlights the regard inwhich the scheme is held at a locallevel and this is due on no small wayto the hard work and dedication of the participants.

RSS Cost Benefit AnalysisRural Social Scheme Cost Benefit Analysis highlighted the hugefinancial gain in terms of the real benefit of the scheme to theexchequer, the financial and social gain for participants and also the benefits derived by communities. This analysis was carried outnationwide, and featured a study of the benefit of the WarmersHomes Initiative in Duhallow and found for every euro invested therewas a return of four euro to the exchequer. The analysis concludedthat as well as contributing to the maintenance of communityfacilities and rural environment, the RSS is providing irreplaceableservices, ensuring those who are most vulnerable in rural areas likeDuhallow are supported. The financial benefit to the participants washighlighted, faced with poor returns from farming the RSS providesvaluable income support.

Rural Socia l Scheme WalksThe development of walks has been a priority of IRD Duhallow’s sincethe first LEADER programme. The introduction of the RSS afforded us the opportunity to develop our walks to the high standard they are at today and we continue to enjoy a good working relationship with Coillte.

This year IRD Duhallowwas successful insecuring the WalksScheme for theDuhallow andBlackwater sections of the Munster Way.Landowners whoparticipate on thescheme receive paymentfor maintaining thesections of the walk ontheir land.

Having developed theloop walk at the Sourceof The Blackwater,Minister Tony Killeenofficially launched thewalk in November andhad great praise for thecontribution of RSS toits ongoingmaintenance. An article written by therenowned journalist andtravel writer ChristopherSommerville featured inthe Weekender sectionof the Irish Independentin March and was alsohighly complimentarytowards the quality ofthe Mount Hillary walk,the information boardsand leaflets available.For a second year the RSS was involved in theorganising of a trailsday in the Duhallow region which was part of a wider nationalinitiative to promote walking and the walkways available in the area.

RSS Supervisors from left: Tim Ring, Pat Fitzpatrick and Sheila O’ Keeffe

Joe Sexton joined the Rural Social Scheme in 2009and has worked on a Number of communityprojects including maintenance of the CurraraigueRiver walk.

Jerry O’ Sullivan strimming the grassin Millstreet cemetery with John O’ Keeffe Chairman of Millstreet Tidy Towns.

Nora Shine combines working in theDCFS and Farmers Market with herduties on the farm

Kathleen O’ Connor is placed in Second Thoughts,the St. Vincent De Paul Shop in Kanturk

Mossie Reidy puts the finishing touches to the warmonument in Rockchapel under the guidance of Finbarr Murphy.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin, Deputy Michael Moynihan,Michael Twohig Chairman of IRD Duhallow , Michael Doyle of IRD Duhallow WalksCommittee with farmers participating on walks scheme.

Minister Éamon Ó Cuìvwith IRD Manager MauraWalsh at the launch of theRural Social Scheme CostBenefit Analysis at theNational PloughingChampionships September2009. Participants of IRDDuhallow scheme travelledto the event.

Agricul ture


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The Agri-food sector remains one of our most importantindigenous sectors accounting for 8.5% of employment nationally.In Duhallow the rate of dependence on agriculture is almost threetimes the national average and is double the rate for County Cork.Duhallow also has a much higher level of dependency onagriculture than North Cork as a whole. Across the EuropeanCommunity the Agricultural sector is being restructured andrepresents the largest single economic change sinceindustrialisation. Diversification facilitates farm households todiversify into non-agricultural activities and as a consequencemaintain or increase the income of farm families. We need toensure farm families play an important role in rural developmentby developing on or off farm rural enterprises to ensure a viablefuture for the next generation.

Farm Diversification Agri-tourism, Speciality Food Provision and an Open Farm are justsome examples of complementary activities that IRD Duhallow hasfunded through LEADER+ that combine well with farming activityand provide farm families with the opportunity to becomesustainable. With support from LEADER Peter McCabe ofBallymaquirke Fruit Farm was able to install a state of the art

commercial kitchen forartisan jam production.Peter has been growingfruit on his farm inBallymaquirke for the past15 years and eight yearsago he diversified intohomemade JamProduction. Due toincreasing demand for hisjam products theproduction facilities atBallymaquirke wereinadequate and his newlyfunded commercialproduction unit hasbenefited him greatly.

Interest in keeping bees is at an all-timehigh, there is a growing awareness ofbees, not just for their honey, but alsofor the role they have in pollinatingtrees and helping the environment.There is a definite potential in beeswhen it comes to supplementing on-farm income. Currently DuhallowBeekeepers Association has 60registered members. A training courseon Bee-Keeping for beginners wasorganised in January 2010 with over 25individuals completing the course.

Small Holder ProgrammeThe Agricultural Working Group of IRD Duhallow undertook anextensive range of activities which directly assisted low income farmfamilies. Funded by the Local Community Development Programme,tailored training programmes included: Basic Computers for FarmFamilies, E-Ferim Training, Farm Accounts, Counterbalance Forklift, 360& 180 Excavator Training and Beekeeping for beginners wasorganised with over 102 farm families benefitting. Through the FocalFarmer Programme 92 farm families received AI, milk recording andsoil sampling grants in order to maximise on-farm efficiency.

Farm Assist The Farm Assist scheme is operated by theDepartment of Social Protection. Between2005-2008 the numbers in receipt of farmassist remained very steady, however in 2009due to the severe farm income situation theup-take of farm assist increased significantlyand by the end of 2009 there were 8,845families in receipt of farm assist nationally,IRD Duhallow assisted over eighty farmfamilies to submit their application betweenJanuary 2009 and January 2010.

Role of Women in AgricultureIRD Duhallow actively supports greaterfemale participation, the enormous role thatwomen play in agriculture is often invisibleto the general public. Ten women from Duhallow attended the Women in AgricultureConference in Athlone.

Make Hay while the sun shines, Abigail & Laura Lyons

Participants who completed EFEIRM training which was delivered by tutor Joan Maguire.

A group of women from Duhallow who attended the “Women in Agriculture”conference in the Hudson Bay Hotel Athlone, pictured with Maura Walsh IRDDuhallow, who chaired the conference; and Lyn Sykes Succession Planner Specialistfrom Australia.

Peter McCabe of Ballymaquirke Fruit Farmshows a variety of Jam Products to KatieCrowley IRD Duhallow during a recent site visit.

Honey Extraction Process- Andy Bourke, Secretary ofDuhallow Bee KeepersAssociation, uncapping waxinto a stainless-steel container.

James Lysaght Basic Computer Tutorassisting James O’Connor and NiallCrowley during a Training Session inBoherbue.

Joan Ring, Bernie O’Sullivan and MaeveO’Sullivan concentrating on theirbookwork during an eight week FarmAccounts Training Course.

Forty attended a FarmWalk which was hosted bybeef farmers Jerry &Martina O’Leary,Meentogues, Focal FarmerProgramme participants

This years conference focused on “Getting the balance right”. Theconference was chaired by Maura Walsh, IRD Duhallow and key notespeaker Dr. Maureen Gaffney spoke about the challenges faced bywomen marrying into the family farm. Because of the engagement ofmore and more women in farming, a new wealth of talent is beingbrought to bear which can only have a positive impact on thesuccess of the industry and on rural life into the future.

Environmental Forum Our environment is a unique, finite and irreplaceable assetmaintained by generations of farmers in the area through traditionalmethods of agriculture. It is valuable both in its own right and for thehealth, well-being, and enjoyment of all people. The importance ofour environment is now widely accepted and it is acknowledged as avital part of our common heritage. It is up to every organisation to

develop goals to ensure environmental sustainability becomesembedded in their strategies. IRD Duhallow’s Environmental Forumhas put actions in place in order to maintain and further develop asustainable environment for Duhallow. The forum has identifiedobjectives which will further enshrine our commitment to promotingsustainable initiatives throughout the organisation and theseinclude: environmental awareness raising campaigns, endorsingsustainable land use, protection of habitats and ecosystems,promotion of ecotourism, protection of endangered species and theconservation of hedgerows. The Environmental Forum includesrepresentatives from Birdwatch Ireland, National Parks & Wildlife,Southern Regional Fisheries Board, Angling Clubs, Agricultural Sector,the Marine Institute and Cool Wood.

International Year of Biodiversity 2010 has been declared theInternational Year of Biodiversity thepurpose is to raise public awareness ofthe importance of biodiversity and theconsequence of its loss. Aninformation seminar on the Birds &Endangered Species of Duhallowproved to be a great success and abroad range of events and measureswill continue to be deliveredthroughout the year.

Grow it Yourself (GIY) Growing your own food is a lifestyle choice that not only makessound economic sense, but is also good for physical and mentalhealth, and individuals feel more connected with their communityand environment. Michael Kelly a freelance writer, author andbroadcaster established a National not-for-profit charity called “GIYIreland” to inspire people to grow their own food and give them theskills they need to do so successfully. In 2009 Michael was given anaward by Social Entrepreneurs Ireland in recognition of his work.

Agricul ture


Duhallow’s first GIY group was established in June 2010 the mainfocus of the group is to get amateur growers together so that theycan learn skills from each other and connect with like-mindedindividuals. This LEADER inter-territorial initiative was facilitated bythe LEADER Small Food Co-ordinator.

IRD Duhallow’s Farmers MarketThe primary aim of the market is tosupport local farmers and artisanproducers by ensuring they have adirect outlet in which to sell theirproduce. The increase in demand topurchase high quality locally producedfoods has led to the expansion of stallsat the Farmers Market. This year theMarket was awarded a Voluntary Codeof Good Practice in conjunction withthe Department of Agriculture,Fisheries and Food and Bord Bia. IRDDuhallow’s market is located at therear of Twohig’s Supervalu in Kanturkand is open from 10.30am -2.30pmevery Thursday and Saturday.

page 15

George the Bull, keeping a closeeye on his environment.

Michael Doyle Chairpersonof the EnvironmentalForum, Katie Crowley IRDDuhallow and MichaelKelly founder of Grow ItYourself Ireland (GIY)pictured at the inaugurallaunch of GIY Duhallow.

IRD Duhallow’s Environmental Forum L-R Padraig Whelan, Michael Doyle, Katie Crowley, Brin Donnell, Tom Anketell and Sean Buckley pictured after a Forum meeting .

Sharing ideas over a cuppa at the GIY Launch

Stall-Holders at IRD Duhallow’s Farmers Market in Kanturk, proudly displaying theVoluntary Code of Good Practice Banner which was awarded to the Market in 2009

Selection of new season onions,beetroot, parsnips and turnips atKanturk Farmers Market.

IntroductionThe Community Development Working Group recognises thatcommunity consultation and local volunteerism are keyingredients for successful local community development. Theessential ingredients to a thriving rural community include locallyrelevant facilities and services, achieving fairness for everyone,enriching social capital and empowering local governance. TheWorking Group continues to support communities to optimisetheir assets through the bottom up approach. Thanks to ourongoing and sustained support by providing opportunities andmotivation, volunteerism is increasing annually in Duhallow

LEADER fundingAnimation has long beenrecognised as key to thesuccessful local communitydevelopment. Allcommunities needassistance in identifyinglocal needs and developingprojects to enhance thefacilities and potential ofrural areas. With this in mind,IRD Duhallow held a seriesof public meetingsthroughout Duhallow in the

past year to support communities to avail of LEADER funding andindeed other programmes and supports available from the company.Through ongoing, sustainable animation delivered by our staff,communities are uniquely positioned to tackle local needs byaccessing LEADER funding. 45 community projects have beensupported in the past 12 months under LEADER with an investmentof €1.8m. Community projects include refurbishment of communitycentres. Village Renewal projects have also been completed inKiskeam and Boherbue with communities taking on the role ofpromoting the unique culture of their areas by developing festivalsand researching and publishing books.

Community FacilitiesHaving a long interregnum betweenLEADER+ and the new programmeand with ongoing animation fromour staff, community groups havebeen quick off the mark to avail offunding under the Basic Services tothe Rural Population Measure ofLEADER. This measure affordscommunities the opportunity toenhance their community andcultural centres and the measure isnow at a commitment level of 87%with 12 community halls andfacilities securing commitments offunding in the first year of theprogramme.

Community Development


Environmental Awareness MonthNow in its 4th year IRD Duhallow’s Environmental Awareness Monthin conjunction with the local authority and An Taisces National SpringClean continues to raise awareness of important issues for thepreservation of our environment. Groups that took part receivedsupport through the provision of rubbish bags, gloves, bibs, and theloan of litter pickers from IRD Duhallow. The Local Authoritysupported this initiative by appointing an agreed collection point ineach community for this rubbish. Growing from this initiative thereare now a number of groups that are volunteering to go out regularlyto collect rubbish in their communities. Also as part of EnvironmentalAwareness Month the Community Development Working Grouporganised a public seminar on The Protection of Endangered Wildlife& The Birds of Duhallow. Barry O’Donoghue Wildlife Ranger with theNational Parks and Wildlife Service was the guest speaker on thenight. Barry’s presentation focused mainly on the hen harrier, one ofIreland’s most rarest and protected birds. He highlighted thesignificance of Duhallow in European terms for this bird as we havetwo Special Areas of Conservation in our region. This offers hugepotential to develop a tourism product based on the environment.This seminar coincided with the establishment of IRD Duhallow’sEnvironmental Forum which focuses on the environmental issues andconcerns for the region.

Kerry Community AwardsThe Kerry County Development Board recognises the hard work thatvolunteers undertake for their communities through the KerryCommunity Awards Programme. Following Gneeveguilla BasketballClub’s success in 2009 in the Physical Activity Category, DANUChildcare in Rathmore did extremely well to be short listed in 2010 forthe Community Enterprise Category. Prizes were presented byMinister Pat Carey. IRD Duhallow continues to support this initiativethrough the Local Community Development Programme and wouldwelcome the development of a similar initiative for the Cork area.

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Local Banteer Ladies availing of the facilitiesin the LEADER funded Community gym inBanteer Community Centre

Michael McAuliffe tries out thenew rope bridge in the FreemountCommunity Playground

Deirdre GreenBoard Member withmembers of thecommunity at thenewly finishedcommunityplayground inFreemount villagewhich was fundedby LEADER

Minister Pat Carey TD with Eileen Linehan, IRD Duhallow, Siobhan Murphy, The Kerryman, Mary Prendergast, Credit Union, Siobhan Griffin, Kerry Communityand Voluntary Forum, with (Back L-R) Cllr Bobby O’Connell, Mayor of Kerry, Sean Quinlan, Chairperson Kerry Community Awards Planning group, Cllr MichaelGleeson, Mayor of Killarney, Tom Curran, County manager, and Michael Brennan,MD of the Kerryman, at the 2010 Kerry Community Awards Cermony.

Maura Walsh Manager IRD Duhallow officially opening the new Astro Turf Pitch inBanteer along with Fr. Ryan, Fr. Winters, Cllr John Paul O’Shea, Denis Withers andmembers of Banteer Community Council

Active Communities InitiativeIRD Duhallow in conjunction with Cork Sports Partnership hasdelivered a number of workshops under their Active CommunitiesInitiative in the region. This initiative focuses on promoting physicalactivity and healthy lifestyles amongst people who are not involvedin mainstream sports in their community. These include An ActiveLeadership Course for Coaches, a Fit Walk Clinic and a Fit Walk Coursefor those interested in learning the benefits of walking and aerobicfitness. Other supports were also given to groups such as the BanteerLadies Soccer Group and Yoga for The Open Door Network inKanturk. IRD Duhallow has also recognised the need to revive somesports that were traditional in Duhallow in the past but havesomewhat lost their prominence in recent years such as handball,cycling and boxing. It is vital that local people with experience inthese traditional sports volunteer are supported to train youths inthe area.

Heritage SeminarThe Working Group held a public seminar entitled “Worship inDuhallow from the Tuatha Dé d’Annan to Christianity” in November.Guest speaker on the night was Fr. Sean O’Dúinn of Glenstal Abbey.The seminar focused on the methodology of the Tuatha Dé d’Annanto the arrival of the Celts, and also looked at the development ofChristianity in Ireland. Fr. Sean also spoke on DANU, The Saints ofDuhallow and the Holy Wells in Duhallow. This public seminar wasvery well attended as it attracted locals who are interested in localhistory and the relevance it has on Duhallow today.

SAOIIRD Duhallow’s SAOI Networkrepresents older people’s groupsand acts as an advocate for olderpeople in Duhallow. The SAOINetwork seeks to empower olderpeople to live full lives as activecitizens, and to ensure that theyreceive the entitlement and rightsthey need. Currently there are 16actively retired groups and 3 daycare centres that link in with theSAOI Network. Members of theSAOI Network attended theNational Positive Ageing Strategyconsultation road show whichAine Brady, Minister for Older

Community Development


People and Health Promotion chaired. IRD Duhallow is also working inconjunction with Age Action Ireland in operating the Duhallow Care& Repair Programme. This initiative has two different elements; aregular phone call service for older people from trained volunteers tocheck in with them to ensure that they are safe and well and secondlya repair scheme where local volunteers undertake small scale jobs inhouses including putting locks on doors, trimming hedges, movingfurniture.

Domestic ViolenceOver the past 7 years, IRD Duhallow has developeda voluntary Domestic Violence Support Initiative to raise awareness ofdomestic violence in Duhallow and ensure the safety of men, womenand children in situations of domestic violence. An informationbrochure has been developed which contains important informationincluding the profile of an abuser, types of abuse and information onwhere to get help. We have also provided intensive training to anumber of volunteers who completed 2 different training courses inthis past year to ensure that they can deliver the best information andsupport possible on our domestic violence helpline. We hope to havethis helpline up and running by the end of this year. We havenetworked extensively with other regions including a field trip to theWest Cork Women Against Domestic Violence Project in Bandon. Thishas helped us to build on the experience of others and we arecommitted to providing a flexible service that will meet the differingneed of the people who will contact the helpline.

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Relatives turn up to see Inchemay Historical Society’s monument to the dead andwounded in the 1921 in Inchemay Ambush & the Nadd Round Up

Maura Walsh, IRD Duhallow, Michael Doyle, Barry O’Donoghue Ranger with TheNational Parks & Wildlife Service, Jack Roche & Michael Twohig Chairman IRDDuhallow at the ‘Birds of Duhallow Seminar’ .

A large attendanceat the Birds ofDuhallow Seminarwhere BarryO’Donoghuehighlighted theimportance ofDuhallow as anarea with twospecial protectionareas for the HenHarrier

Kathleen MoylanCastlemagnerSinsir Group withlocal men whotook part in thePersonalDevelopmentCourse funded byLCDP.

Maureen Connolly is delighted withPatrick Moynihan a volunteer on theIRD Duhallow Care & Repairprogramme which carries out smallrepair jobs for the elderly

Volunteers Dan Rahilly, Tom Murphy,Michael McAuliffe & Martin Murphymaintains the church grounds inRockchapel on a weekly basis

Mary O’Sullivan ofthe DromtarriffeActive Retired Club makes apresentation of ahamper ofproduce fromDuhallowCommunity FoodServices toPresident MaryMcAleese in Arásan Uachtaráin

Jack Roche, IRD Duhallow, withFr. Sean O’Dúinn of Glenstal Abbeywho was the guest speaker at IRDDuhallow’s Heritage Seminar entitled“Worship in Duhallow from theTuatha Dé d’Annan to Christianity”

LEADER Projects 09/13


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Project Name Description €

Support for Business Creation & Development

Hickey Metering Ltd Funding to start up business of Hickey Metering which involves the sales, installation and maintenance of milk metering systems. This project involves the purchase of hardware and software. €14,000

Terrprofile Ltd Purchase GPR, Resistivity and Seismic equipment for analysis of sub surface ground conditions €83,500

IRD Duhallow Social Economy Working Group Analysis and development of proposals for development of Community Enterprise €4,410

Brian Paterson & Sarah Evans trading as The Secret Garden To construct a classroom facility, develop outdoor demonstration area and provide car park. €16,100

JJS Wind Generator Repair Services Purchase new technologies to service wind generator repair market €200,000

Cube Business Consulting Feasibility on business consultancy €17,625

Diversification into Non Agriculture Activities

Ballymaquirke Fruit Farm Upgrading of facilities for jam production €11,422

Declan & Patricia O’ Riordan Development of 4 star accommodation & walk €47,000

Basic Service for the Economy and Rural Population

Kanturk & District Community Council Grant aid material and equipment for display boards and promotion of the first Arts Festival in Kanturk €4,987

Banteer Community Hall The expansion of the facility to include changing rooms, showers, steam room, €143,140toilets and gym equipment

Ballydaly Community Hall To install a new heating system in the hall comprising of seven new radiators, a boiler and a tank €4,035

Freemount Community Playground Development Association Development of site for playground with fencing and soft tiles €42,020

Freemount Community Remove current floor of the Community Hall and replace with new floor incorporating Development Association under floor heating. €39,226

Duhallow Choral Society Purchase of equipment and Uniforms €15,700

Social Economy Working Group Equipment for development of social enterprise €12,558

IRD Duhallow Community Development Working Group Development of media training room for community radio, training for communitiees and groups €25,477

JOK Trust Refurbishment of kitchen for after schools service €42,372

Kanturk & District Community Council Replacement of Crib Figures €2,250

Dromtarriffe Parish Hall Association Refurbishment work to hall including insulation, repairs and equipment €54,540

Rathmore Social Action Group Equipment for drama & variety shows €11,786

Rockchapel Community Centre committee Refurbishment works to hall €30,939

Kanturk & District Community Council Refurbishments to Edel Quinn Hall €34,028

Bweeng Community Hall Committee Development of amenity area to include basketball courts €38,107

Freemount Development Association Roofing of community hall €39,720

Ballydesmond Community Centre Committee Refurbishment works to hall €47,857

Village Renewal & Development

Boherbue Development Association Reposition the village pump to its original place and lay down stone work and flower beds €2,238

Nadd Development Group Landscaping in village €2,587

Araglen Development Association Extension of Glouneen river walk €120,000

Kiskeam Development Association Installation of foot-bridge to complete loop walk and enhance social inclusion €49,688

Banteer Community Sportsfield Ltd. Upgrading of existing walk €29,280

Conservation & Upgrading the Rural Heritage

Centenary Committee Infant Child of Jesus Research the history of the arrival of Infant Jesus Sisters from France to Drishane and their impact on the locality. Publish book on research and produce DVD. €59,552

Boherbue Parish Council To publish book on history of church in Boherbue and Kiskeam €4,404

JOK Trust To develop plan for James O’ Keeffe Institute and Grounds €30,000

Duhallow Women’s Forum To produce a book in honour of Nora Herlihy’s legacy and the Credit Union Movement in Ireland. €44,235

Kanturk Angling Club Acquire the expertise to perform investigative monitoring and surveying on the Freshwater Pearl Mussel in the Blackwater and its tributaries €13,607

Fr. John J. O’ Riordan Publication of book “Kiskeam Versus The Empire” €1,949

Newmarket Pipe band Publication of book on history of Pipe Band €3,163

Inchemay Historical Society Erection of War of Independence monument €8,477

Cullen Pipe Band Development of band practice hall & purchase of uniforms €84,113

IRD Duhallow Community Development Working Group Upgrading works to Duhallow Way €19,644

Kanturk & District Community Council Refurbishment works to Trade Union Hall €6,816


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Project Name Description €

IRD Duhallow Community Development Working Group Development of Community Websites €45,000

Ballydesmond development Association Publication of book “Ballydesmond Rural Parish” €3,609

Gneeveguilla Community Publication of book on History of St Josephs Church €3,730

Duhallow Women’s Forum Erection of monument to Sr. Mary MacKillop in Newmarket €52,073

Donoughmore Historical Group Publication of book on history of cemeteries €5,655

Training & Information

Duhallow Choral Society Training for members of Choral Society €6,000

Employment & Training Working Group To deliver a pathways to employment programme for rural dwellers and communities in Duhallow €11,500

IRD Duhallow Enterprise Development Working Group To deliver training workshops to local entrepreneurs €2,550

Employment & Training Working Group FETAC Intermediate Computer Course €5,185

Agriculture Working Group To deliver counterbalance forklift training in the Duhallow area €4,500

Rockchapel Comhaltas Ceoilteoiri Eireann To run a master class for young people on traditional Irish music and dance and develop a group who will be in a position to perform and teach Sliabh Luachra music and dance. €19,870

IRD Duhallow Enterprise Development Working Group 2 Customised Basic Bookkeeping Programmes €11,300

IRD Duhallow Enterprise Development Working Group Computerised Bookkeeping and Payroll Programme €11,050

Youth & Education Working Group Arts Education Programme in 30 Primary Schools €7,000

Employment & Training Working Group Basic Computer Training €8,430

IRD Duhallow Enterprise Development Working Group Mentoring for buinsess €11,000

Agriculture Working Group Grow It Yourself (GIY) Training €3,200

Employment & Training Working Group Internet, Email & Advanced IT Training €11,100

Encouragement of Tourism Activities

Maritime Tourism Ltd Trading as Ballyhass Lakes Construction of a new store and utility building and purchase of equipment for activity centre €43,345

Edward & Pollie Frampton Development of Rural Museum €31,075

Kanturk & District Community Council Produce & Print Walking Guides of Kanturk €2,000

Kanturk Cycling Club Development of off road cycle track €149,863

IRD Duhallow Enterprise Development Working Group Shell Scheme for craft fair €25,111

IRD Duhallow Community Development Working Group Wildlife panels and benches on Blackwater Way €8,250

Co-operation projects

IRD Duhallow Enterprise Development Predevelopment/animation costs of an Transnational/Interterritorial Project to promote Working Group The Duhallow Way as part of the European E8 trans Europe walkway with Poland €2,000

IRD Duhallow Agriculture Working Group Meat Matters-Training for rural abattoirs €8,500

IRD Duhallow Agriculture Working Group Food stand at National ploughing championships €600

IRD Duhallow Enterprise Development Working Group LEADER Young Entrepreneurial Programme for 5 secondary schools in Duhallow €49,420

Total €2,005,468

Members of the Project Evaluation group from left Helen O Sullivan of IRD Duhallow , Eucharia Chambers, Sean Kelly, John Fuller, Angela Linehan, Mary McHugh, Noel Dillon, Timmy Collins, Derry Fitzpatrick, Mort O Connor, Eileen Linehan and Triona Murphy of IRD Duhallow.


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Local Development Social Inclusion ProgrammeFunds Committed to Projects to December 2009

Total €180,302.53

Services to Focal Farmer Programme e-feirme Follow up €135.00the Basic Computers Farm Families €775.00unemployed EFEIRME €925.00

AI Information Initiative €442.00Moorepark Study Trip €299.40Women in Agriculture €300.00Farm & Rural Stress Mailshot €1,051.40AI €7,810.51Silage Testing €281.17Soil Testing €927.96Milk Recording €6,278.33

On Farm Diversication Ruth Gettings €3,156.00Glencarney Organics €2,405.00Excavator 180 & 360 €1,800.00

Focal Farmer Support Groups Farm Walk €324.70Duhallow Farmers' Market Farmers Market running costs €612.17IRD Duhallow Job Centre Pathfinder Licence €616.34

Business Cards €241.79Internet & Email for Beginners €1,223.00Unemployment Info Evening €248.00

Adult & Second Chance Education Thirteen Individual Bursaries for Adults who are continuing education €9,370.00Adult Education Exhibition €600.40

Employment & Training Working Group Introduction to IT €4,253.00Internet & Email 2 €1,110.00Towards Occupation Basic IT €405.00Towards Occupation Creative Art Classes €950.00

Social Economy Newmarket Afterschools €742.00Furniture Restoration €1,070.00Equipment for DCFS €2,104.00

New Enterprise Support Business Workshops €1,138.00Jacqueline Murphy €1,000.00S.E.O.P. €1,010.00The Cup Cake Lady €468.34Celine Waffles €443.00Pat Casey €2,000.00

Establish Enterprise Supports Kathleen McAuliffe €3,000.00Enterprise & Craft Network Mentoring €226.18

Enterprise Networking €165.00Craft Fair €3,136.00

IRD Duhallow Monthly Newsletter Printing and Distributing of Monthly Newsletter €6,731.87

Community Domestic Violence Promotion of Domestic Violence Initiative €3,572.85Development Lone Parents Support for Lone Parents through Training Initiatives & Bursaries €4,370.59

Resources to Groups East Kerry Mental Health Promotions €1,287.00Boherbue Flower Club €325.00Gneeveguilla Athletics Club €1,145.00

Empowerment of Older Groups Freemount Art classes €1,386.00Millstreet Active Retired €715.00Millstreet Elderly Workshops €585.00Kilbrin Nifty Fifties €936.00Timmy O'Connor €1,500.00Freemount Irish Classes €1,580.00Castlemagner Sinsir €1,164.00

Womens Forum Play Therapy €484.25Personal Development Workshops €1,934.00Computer Classes €845.00Introduction to Computers €470.00

Community Development Forum Enviornmental Awareness Month €1,113.00Alzheimers Coffee Morning €280.77Heritage Seminar €846.00

Supporting Volunteerism Care & Repair €184.99Active Citizenship €1,825.00Asset Community Development Based Training €4,030.00Kerry Community Awards €2,000.00

Information Disemmination €4,176.89Urban & Village Renewal Meelin Village Renewal €358.00

Freemount Tidy Towns €426.00Parent & Toddler Group Kandu €1,000.00

Kilcorney Parent & Toddler €259.00Care Bears €175.00

Childcare Network First Aid €874.00Capacity Building of Bereavement Group Bereavement Support Group €925.00

Bereavement & Loss Seminar €903.40Cards & Brouchures €1,962.97Resource Library €700.00Supervision Session €2,250.00

Carers Group Creative Art Classes €1,051.00Carers training €1,283.00

Empowerment of People with Disability Two Individual Bursaries for Adults who are continuing education €320.00Sign Language Classes €1,000.00Roger Casey Book of Poems €377.00Braille Sign in Kanturk Park €330.00Duhallow Mallow Marlins €783.00

Mental Health Promotion Aquired Brain Injury €181.25East Kerry Mental Health €1,300.00Beat the Blues €700.00I ASIST €958.20World Mental Health Day €562.00AWARE €710.00

Asylum Seeker & Foreign National Inclusion Intergaraion BBQ €1,000.00SHEP Training €1,105.00

Community Afterschools Homework Support Homework Support in four Duhallow Secondary Schools €20,983.02Based Youth & Education Working Group Early Schools Leavers Support Programme €3,021.00Youth Social & Personal Development Programme €6,141.45Initiative Dyslexia Support for Parents €861.00

Dyslexia Support for Children €13,042.20Youth & Information Services €1,723.55

Development of Youth Clubs Lismire Youth Club €750.00Tullylease Youth Club €294.59

Summer Camps Tir na Nog €546.00Anchor Playschool €750.00Banteer Summer Camp €750.00

Banteer Youth Club Ballyhass €540.00Knocknagree National School Danu €724.00Knockaclarig National School Rockchapel €750.00Kanturk Basketball club Newmarket €750.00Dromtarriffe Youth Club Kanturk Basketball Summer Camp €650.00

Sector Project Name Description Committed


Local Community Development ProgrammeIn recent years the role of participatory approaches ofcommunities in tackling poverty has been a major component ofseveral National Programmes funded to address social inclusion.IRD Duhallow has administered the Local Development SocialInclusion Programme since 1994 and following a review processand cohesion of partnership groups and Community DevelopmentProjects, the new programme entitled The Local CommunityDevelopment Programme (LCDP) was introduced in January ofthis year.

A particular challenge for IRD Duhallow has been to respond to therapid and dramatic socio-economic changes which have taken placein Ireland in recent times. The funding cutbacks to the social inclusionprogramme come at a time when community sector services have

never been more in demand.Given the current economicdownturn and the increasingpressure being exerted onoperational budgets it is nowessential that IRD Duhallow,and indeed all areas of thepublic sector, operate in themost strategic manner aspossible to ensure maximumbenefit is drawn from publicfinances. The plethora ofcommunity and voluntarygroups in Duhallow haveplayed an active role inbrokering and facilitatingnetworks and linkages betweenstakeholders in the communityand voluntary sector as well aswith the statutory and publicagencies.

The LCDP is an integrated programme and encompasses the best ofthe former LDSIP aiming to tackle poverty and social exclusionthrough partnership and constructive engagement betweenGovernment and people in the most disadvantaged communitiesthrough Local Development Companies such as IRD Duhallow.The programme prioritises marginalised people and groups withinthe most disadvantaged communities, which means that it targetsthose furthest from access to education, training and employment,and those at highest risk of social exclusion. The programme willcontinue to work with the target groups/areas and issues asprioritised under the previous programmes based on an identificationand demonstration of analysis of local need.

There are four goals of the new Local Community Development Programme.

1. Promote awareness, knowledge and uptake of a wide range of statutory, voluntary and community services.

2. Increase access to formal and informal educational, recreational and cultural development activities and resources.

3. Increase the work readiness of people to enter the labour market.

4. Promote engagement with policy, practice and decision making processes on matters affecting local communities.


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IRD Duhallow hasdeveloped a suite ofsupports for theelderly, which are delivered throughpobal supportedProgrammes such asCSP. The Care andRepair Programme isdelivered byvolunteers supportedthrough ring fenced LCDP funds.

Cork Flood Relief TableQuiz Fund Raiser;George Hook of RTEcongratulates FrankLinehan, originallyfrom Boherbue, whocaptained the IRDDuhallow Team tovictory

The James O’Keeffe institute is used most nights for LCDP courses.

Discussing the three ‘enabling’ factors that are prerequisites for successful communities:skilful people, community assets and great plans. Maura Walsh with Rebecca Frost(Manager of UK and England Rural Networks), Nia Griffiths (Manager of Wales RuralNetwork), Ros Halley (Dumfries and Galloway LEADER), Andrew McAlister (NorthernIreland) and Adrian Banford Cumbria Fells and Dales LEADER

Chairman Michael Twohig makes apresentation to former Chair Don Crowleyon his retirement from the Board of IRD.Don chaired the Youth and Education Working Group, Employment andTraining and Finance Working Groupduring his eight years on board.

Retiring Board Members whose enormous voluntary contributions were honoured at the IRD Duhallow’s Annual Board Dinner. (Left to Right) Don Crowley, PatrickBuckley, Marie Murphy and Billy Murphy with Chairman Michael Twohig.


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Family Carers in Ireland give animmeasurable contribution to thelives of the individuals they care forand to society as a whole. It isestimated that every week 3.7million hours are worked by161,000 Family Carers acrossIreland. In the 2006 Census, 1,231Carers were registered in theDuhallow Region. Research hassuggested that as the age profile ofpeople in Ireland continues to growin the older spectrum, the numberof carers needed to look after ouraging society will also increase. Themajority of Family Carers in an Irish

study reported major restrictions in their social or leisure activitiesand that isolation was a problem for many family carers that affectedtheir physical and mental health. The health of a family carer mayaffect not only their lives but the lives of the individuals for whomthey provide care.

The Duhallow Carers’ Groupprovides support to allDuhallow family carers andaims to enhance their lives andthe lives of those they care for.Carers living in a rural settingsuch as Duhallow faceadditional barriers of physicaland social isolation and lack of services, both in terms ofaccess and availability. TheDuhallow Carers Group iscommitted, motivated anddetermined to actively reducethe existence of social isolationand obstacles that may hinderthem from accessing services.Caring commitments oftenlimit the time available to Family Carers to have a life of their own. Many Family Carersdo not have access to supportsto allow them significant time off from their caring duties to have asocial life or more generally participate in the community and widersociety. The Duhallow Carers Group aspires to offer support to eachcarer in terms of social, educational assistance on a time basis that isappropriate and suitable for carers.

Monthly MeetingsSince the group’s formationin 1999 the Carers haveparticipated in monthlysupport meetings whichprovide an invaluableopportunity for its membersto get together and socialisein a comfortable andsupportive environment.These meeting also act as a platform for carers to voicetheir concerns andexperiences.

Duhal low Carers GroupDormant Accounts – Training for CarersIn 2008 IRD Duhallow successfully secured funding from the PobalDormant Accounts – Training for Carers Measure. This financial supportafforded IRD Duhallow theopportunity to develop atailored training plan for carersin the region. The purpose of theinitiative is to up-skill carers sothat they will be able to providethe best care possible, and alsoto reduce the risk of injury to thecarer and to help them copewith the emotional andpsychological aspects of theirrole. The programme has alreadybeen heavily implementationthis year. IRD Duhallow inconjunction with the CarersAssociation Ireland hasdelivered several courses that include, Occupational First Aid,Inanimate and Patient Handling Course, Personal DevelopmentCourse and Infection Prevention and Control Course.

Manual Handling Course – Stress ManangementThe Training for Carers Measure is ongoing with courses scheduled toinclude Caring for Children with Special Needs, Dependent AdultTraining, and Care in the Home. As well as providing essential training,this programme is invaluable in facilitating social interaction amongstour carers.

Carer’s Week 2010This year IRD Duhallow celebrated Ireland’s National Carers Week.Carers can derive satisfaction and a sense of well-being from theircaring role and affection from their care recipient; gain a sense ofachievement from developing personal attributes of patience andtolerance. To honour this event and the great work and immenseworth of carers, the Duhallow Carer’s Group hosted a coffee morningfollowed by an Entitlement for Carers. The seminar was presented byMrs. Clare Duffy, Social Policy Officer with the Carers Association ofIreland. It examined topics such as of carers allowance and carer’sbenefits in terms of eligibility criteria and rates of pay.

The Carers Group is hoping to increase thenumber of young carers availing ofsupports from the group here is Denis O’Brien who is caring for his mother Bridget.

Claire Duffy from the Carers Association ofIreland delivering a course on Entitlementsfor Carers in the IRD Training Centre inBoherbue.find time for social interaction.

Margaret Browne and her sonSeamus enjoying a chat.

Kitty O’ Mahony who has been a member of the Carers Group for eleven years and is a full timecarer for her daughter Lynda.

Duhallow Carers on their annual day out: The family carer often finds it’s difficult tofind time for social interaction. Duhallow Carers Support Group is a valuable outletfor carers in the region.

A Day to Remember KayO’Sullivan DuhallowCarers, enjoying a cup of tea with MargaretDuggan & Nora MaryO’Riordan at the AnnualAlzheimer’s Tea Morningwhich was held inKanturk Farmers Marketon the 6th May 2010


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Equal i ty, Disabi l i ty & MigrantsThe aim of the Equality Working Group is to promote equalopportunities for all people within society and to promote greaterrespect for individuals with regard to diversity, equality, culturaldifference and people with disabilities. Over the past year, severaldifferent initiatives were funded by IRD Duhallow to encourageand support integration within the Duhallow area.

Disability SupportsPeople with disabilities are among the most marginalised groups insociety. Through the Equality Working Group IRD Duhallow providessupports that seek the integration of people with disabilities. Inresponse to the strong demand Sign Language Classes wereorganised again in 2009. These classes aim to support individuals inthe Duhallow area who wish to learn the skill of Basic Sign Languageand who also wish to learn about the deaf community.

In 2009, Roger Casey, who suffers from severe sight impairment, wasgranted funding from IRD Duhallow under the LCDP to publish hispoems and photos which feature people, events and groups from theCullen area. The publication of this book helped to create a widerawareness of the special talents that people with disabilities oftenpossess.

An information sign in Braille was designed & created and placed atthe ‘Time to Talk Time to Listen’ picnic gardens in Kanturk. The aim ofthis project was to promote inclusion within the local community.

Since 2007, IRD Duhallow has been successful in its application forfunding under the Integration Fund which is administered by theOffice of the Minister for Integration through Kerry County Counciland Cork County Council for projects at local level. As a result of thisfund IRD Duhallow has supported many initiatives includingdeveloping a Social Centre for Foreign Nationals in Rathmore andKanturk, where foreign nationals meet, chat, exchange experiencesand avail of training and initiatives organised by IRD Duhallow. TheSocial Centres operate on a monthly basis where migrant workerscan receive and share information about rights and entitlements,public services and local social activities. With IRD Duhallow’s JobCentre, one to one supports are offered. The numbers visiting the

Social Centres haveremained strong and in thecurrent economic climatelegally resident immigrantsare facing new challengeswith unemployment levelsstill rising. The fundingreceived in 2010 will beprovided towards thefurther development andsuccess of the RathmoreSocial Centre.

In 2007, the Social Inclusion Measures (SIM) Working Group of KerryCounty Development Board established the Integration Task Groupwith the aim of developing a strategy which would assist theintegration of immigrants into the community. In May 2008, MauraWalsh of IRD Duhallow was appointed Chairperson of this task group.The strategy was completed in June 2010 and focuses on fourstrategic impact areas; Education and Training, Information,Awareness Raising and Networking, Employment and Access to BasicPublic/Private Services. IRD Duhallow will focus on implementing therelevant elements of this strategy in the Kerry area of Duhallow.

Drishane Accommodation Centre for AsylumSeekers has 280 residents and up to 27 nationalities. Together with LeCheile and the Centre, IRD Duhallow organised and funded a fiveweek course which was provided by the Cork Social & HealthEducation Project (SHEP). This course targeted all the residents ofDrishane Castle and the main aim of the course was to shareinformation on different cultures and to build intercultural dialogue.

A Social Welfare and Money Management Information Evening wasorganised in conjunction with the Department of Social Protectionand the Money and Budgeting Services (MABS). On the night, foreignnationals living in Duhallow received information on their rights andentitlements to Social Welfare along with budgeting information. To encourage inclusion and participation in the Duhallow region, IRDDuhallow supported a hugely successful Summer Barbeque Party,which was held in the Drishane Accommodation Centre. This eventallowed Duhallow to celebrate the wide variety of cultures nowrepresented in the region.

Over the past number of years, IRD Duhallow has successfullyorganised and held Multi Cultural Community Days at Christmas time.In 2009, three Multi Cultural Days were facilitated by the EqualityWorking Group in Rathmore, Millstreet and Kanturk where ethnicminorities and local Duhallow children and parents mixed and got toknow each other better.

Are we there yet???…Arewe there yet???…

OMG – A white Santa Ha! Mini-Me or is it Maxi – Me

Participants of the Sign Language Classes taking direction from tutor, Karol McGuirk.Polish and Lithuanian Community attend theSocial Centre in the Trade Union Hall, Kanturk

Santa & Mrs. Clausmeeting a group ofchildren and theirparents during theMulticulturalCommunity Days inTeach Iosagáin,Rathmore.

Roger Casey andfamily at the launchof his book “Old DogNew Trick“ Back L-RMick Casey, RogerCasey, Con Casey,Denis Casey. Front:Joan O’ SullivanBreda Casey, MaryGardiner

Garda John Fuller, Integration Officerwith An Garda Siochana with DeborahAjoike Jomoh, John is a member of ourEquality, Disability and MigrantsWorking Group.

Michael Twohig Chairman of IRDDuhallow and Maura Walsh presentsDCFS Employee Liz Walsh with flowers tomark her achievements in the SpecialOlympics National Games where shewon Bronze and Silver for the shot putt.

The Mission Statement of the Employment and Training WorkingGroup is to “Identify and engage in targeted and specific action inthe sphere of Employment, Training and Educational opportunitiesfor disadvantaged individuals and groups within the Duhallowcommunity so as to enhance the quality of life”. The Working Groupcomprises of representatives from IRD Duhallow, SIPTU, FÁS, VEC,MABS, Teagasc and the Department of Social Protection.

Unemployment figures in Duhallow have risen by a dramatic 526 percent in the last three years. The rise in unemployment occurringacross all sectors will be most difficult to resolve in rural areas whichare over-reliant on primary industries such as agriculture,construction and low-level manufacturing. People in Duhallow, nowmore than ever, are experiencing the effects of the economicdownturn and are operating in economic circumstances that manyhave not seen before. The effect of company closures can be seenfrom IRD Duhallow’s Employment and Training Centre with ansignificant increase in the number of people registered to the jobcentre. This is collaborated with the increase in persons on the liveregister from 454 in 2007 to 2,391 in 2010.

It is critical that people in Duhallow are given the opportunity to gainthe necessary skills and qualifications to move away from thedeclining sectors towards occupations that are likely to grow in thefuture. It is for this reason that the Employment and Training WorkingGroup has put in place specific strategies to improve the prospects ofthose most distant from the labour market towards participating inEducational, Training and Employment Opportunities and findingmore creative ways of using our resources and skills to deliversustainable progression pathways for individuals. Through theEmployment and Training Centre a broad range of trainingprogrammes were delivered in the period aimed at enhancing theemployability of unemployed and under-employed people.

With the support of funding from the Local CommunityDevelopment Programme and LEADER, IRD Duhallow was able toincrease the range of training programmes available to Job Seekersto assist their re-entry into the labour market. We successfully

Employment & Training


implemented seven Educational and Training programmes andprovided Individual support programmes to over 360 adults throughthe Job Centre.

Career Development TrainingThe “Pathways to Employment” training course equipped ruraldwellers with the appropriate range of skills suited to the needs of jobseekers looking for employment and in career development andpersonal development. The training programme allowed eachindividual to develop a tailored made plan to suit their distinctiveneeds and covered the following modules (1) Career Planning (2) CVPreparation and Personal Effectiveness (3) Interview Skills/Confidence

Building (4) Health/StressRelated issues. Ten peoplecompleted this course fromwhich one has returned toformal education and three arenow working.

With the support of the LocalCommunity DevelopmentProgramme the Job Centre isbetter able to place a strongemphasis on skillsdevelopment and increasingthe capability of individuals tomake career decisions that

previous to the recession they did not have to make. The WorkingGroup has put in place a number of workshops to get individualsfocused on how to bridge the gap between where they are now andhow to get to where they would like to be. These workshopsconsisted of: Outplacement Training, Interviews and Post Interviewsand a final workshop on “Where’s the Balance?”

Computer TrainingThe Working Group recognises that I.T. Skills are a key necessity andare required in a variety of sectors. Therefore it is a priority that peoplewho do not have any experience using computers, are given theopportunity to close the digital divide before it becomes too wide as

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Finnouala O’ Sullivan getting a taste forIRD Duhallow’s Pathfinder Programme.

Gemma Hart from the NationalCounsellingInstitute of Irelandat hand forqueries at thePathways forAdult Educationand TrainingExhibition whichwas fundedthrough LDSIP.

Derina Bourke and Caroline Hurley are on work experience with IRD Duhallow.

Pathways for Adults Education and Training Exhibition.

Participants who completed the Basic Computer Training Course which was fundedthrough LEADER.

technology is ever advancing. Two Basic Computer TrainingProgrammes were delivered, three Internet and Email TrainingCourses and one Intermediate Computer Training Course where intotal 98 people received training.

Increasing People’s Work Readiness and Employment ProspectsOver 360 people were assisted to access information appropriate toJob Seeking Skills. In these changing economic times it is now moreimportant than ever to have an outstanding CV that can attractprospective employers. There are many skills and techniques requiredby Job Seekers and the Job Centre supported over 360 individuals inCV preparation, Cover Letter Assistance, Completing Job ApplicationForms and Interview Preparation and Techniques.

The Centre also supports employers in the local area as it has anextensive database of prospective employees. The Centre can providean employer with a shortlist of local candidates whilst ensuring asmooth, accurate and confidential service to the employer. The Job Centre continues to operate the Pathfinder +HE programme

which is a psychometric tool that is made available to those who visitthe job centre and who are seeking as much assistance as possible toaid in their career decisions. This career guidance programmecombines a psychometric assessment of interests with a jobmatching facility to aid people in their career decision making.

Adult and Second Chance EducationThe Employment and Training Working Group has seen a rise in thenumber of enquiries relating to a variety of issues includinginformation on courses, welfare rights, education opportunities andstarting up a new business. Following the success of last yearsexhibition the working group felt there was still very much a need toprovide a one stop shop where people can receive all the necessaryinformation they need within one roof. IRD Duhallow hosted the“Pathways for Adults Education and Training Exhibition 2010”. Thiswas a tremendous success with a number of local educationproviders in attendance along with providers UCC, Limerick I.T.,

Employment & Training


Cork Institute of Technology, NUI Galway and many more. Importantlythere were representatives from the Department of Social Protection,Money Advice and Budgeting Services, FAS and Mallow Return toEducation to name but a few.

Provision of BursariesThe Employment and Training Working Group is very much awarethat the high cost of attending third level training programmes mostof which are only available outside Duhallow is a huge barrier toadults returning to education. The Working Group has long felt thatbursaries for individuals are crucial in facilitating access and entry toeducation for many who may not have had the opportunity tocontinue and complete their education previously. It is for this reasonthat IRD Duhallow has awarded a number of bursaries for individualsin 2009 across a range of disciplines including: Counselling andPsychometric Testing Degree, Degree in Counselling Studies,Accounting Technician and Environmental Biology Degree.

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With the roll out of Broadband to rural areas there is strong interest in Internet ande-mail training.

Bernie Donohue Department of Social & Family Affairs and Donie O Mahony MABSspeaking at IRD Duhallow Money Matters & Social Welfare Information Evening.

Members of the Intermediate Computer Training Course with tutor Brid O’ Brienfrom career tracks which was funded by LEADER.

Due to the demand for a second training course for Internet and Email Training IRDDuhallow successfully facilitated a second course in the James O’Keeffe purposebuilt computer room.

Catarina Fortuna,who was on Work Experiencewith IRDDuhallow on theLeonardo Da VinciProgrammethrough theEuropean CareerEvolution.

Mental Heal th and Transi t ion to Employment


I ASIST To support suicide prevention IRD Duhallow in conjunction with theHSE delivered ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)which is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first-aid. ASIST isthe most widely used suicide intervention training program in theworld and trains participants to reduce the immediate risk of a suicideand increase the support for a person at risk. Care givers including:health workers, teachers, community workers, Gardai, youth workers,and volunteers took part in the workshop in 2009. The workshopprovided opportunities to learn what a person at risk may need fromothers in order to keep safe and get more help.

UnderstandingAnxiety andDepression SeminarAn informationevening with guestspeaker Dr. TonyHumphreys,Consultant ClinicalPsychologist wasattended by over 80people from a varietyof backgrounds andages. The theme wasunderstanding anxietyand depression andcertainly struck a chordwith the audience. AWARE meetings offer a unique opportunity totalk openly about depression and its impact. Ongoing attendance atthe groups gives a better understanding about depression (andelation), so that its impact on relationships, work or social life can bebetter understood.

Towards Occupation Programme (TO)The Towards Occupation Programme aims to bring about positivechange in the lives of individuals with mental illness providing thesupport and help they need to regain confidence to engage ineveryday social and workplace activities. This programme is apartnership programme delivered by IRD Duhallow, BallyhouraDevelopment, Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, and West LimerickResources. The TO programme which is mainly funded through theDepartment of Social Protection and the Local and CommunityDevelopment Programme is designed to allow participants explore arange of new skills and set achievable goals whilst also placing astrong emphasis on confidence building, communication skills,increasing self belief and promoting social interaction. Specificallytargeting those feeling isolated, lacking confidence and those out ofwork for a long time for whatever reason, the programme allowsparticipants interact with others who are encountering similarsituations and dealing with similar issues. It offers opportunities toincrease their personal network of support, including making newfriendships and using self help approaches.

This year 23 participants, all of whom are long-term unemployedundertook Upholstery Classes and a Personal Development course ona part time basis. The programme took place in our Boherbue TrainingCentre and was supported by Duhallow Area Rural Transport, which

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Positive mental health is an integral part of the health and wellbeing of the people of Duhallow. The message that it is good to‘check in’ with your mental health the way you might with yourphysical health is an important one. IRD Duhallow has longsupported the development of mental health at a community levelincluding the development of a range of mental health projects toincrease public awareness and change public attitudes towards theunderstanding of mental illness.

Healthy School EnvironmentAs mental health problems are on the increase, it is now moreimportant than ever for young people to be introduced to theconcept of positive mental health. IRD Duhallow has madeconsiderable efforts to reach and influence the behavior, mentalhealth and development of adolescents within the schoolenvironment in Duhallow. AWARE’s Beat the Blues programme wasdelivered to senior cycle students in the 5 Secondary Schools inDuhallow. The programme aims to educate young people aboutdepression and mood disorders, the treatments available and tonurture a more positive attitude to dealing with the illness. It wasemphasised that depression is not a character flaw but a biologicalillness.

Many young people in Duhallow are touched, sadly, by the issue ofsuicide and in particular suicide of young men. Postvention isavailable – counseling is there for the bereaved, supports are in placeafter. The Peer Support Education Programme, a five week communitybased suicide awareness/prevention programme was delivered toTransition Year Students in Scoil Mhuire, Kanturk, Scoil Phobail SliabhLuachra, Rathmore and Boherbue Comprehensive School. Theprogramme which was designed through a partnership of the HSEand National Learning Network is unique in that the identification ofthe need for such a programme came directly from young peoplewho wanted to make a difference in their community afterexperiencing the suicide of friends and/or family members. Twotrained IRD Duhallow Development Officers delivered the programmein the schools using the mediums of small group discussions,exercises and role-plays. Through participation on this programme thestudents improved their listening and communication skills, andlearned how to assist someone in getting the appropriate support orintervention if they are in some difficulty or crisis.

Donal Curran and Peg Twomey preparing and planting the seedbed at theHorticulture course.

Triona Murphy and Mary McHugh of IRD Duhallow with the pupils of BoherbueComprehensive School on completion of the Peer Support Education Programme.

Pupils of ScoilPhobail SliabhLuachra whoparticipated inPeer SupportEducationProgrammewith IRDDuhallow’sMary McHugh

Community Representatives who took part in a 2 dayASIST Suicide Intervention Training Programme inconjunction with the HSE.

proved vital in terms of access for the participants. The TOparticipants enjoyed many different aspects of being in a trainingenvironment, the satisfaction in actually producing a piece of work,the confidence that comes with training and developing their skillsand the social aspects of coming to the training centre to mix with agroup of people. Participants were encouraged to work at their ownpace, ensuring it was not too regimented for those with mentalhealth problems.

A horticulture course also took place in the Secret Garden,Newmarket. The therapeutic value of horticulture is now much morewidely recognised and promoted. A participant commented that thesense of achievement was important to people like him whose illnesshad meant they often had to drop out of things in the past.

IRD Duhallow is aware that peoples mentalhealth needs and aspirations change overtime and therefore the TO Programmeoffers support based on a flexible andperson centered approach to recovery. Thetraining environment created aims toenhance self esteem, dignity, independenceand overall functioning in work and lifeskills. IRD Duhallow would like to take thisopportunity to thank the Department ofSocial Protection who co-funded theprogramme, the management and staff ofKanturk and Psychiatric Day Care Centre,Community Health Nurses, Local GP’s andthe Clergy for their continued assistance inthe promotion of this worthwhileprogramme.

Furniture Recycling ProjectIRD Duhallow is keen to establish a furniturerecycling and reuse initiative in Duhallow.The project will provide training and employment opportunities infurniture repair and reuse, for individuals with mental ill health and inturn supply furniture, curtains and other small household items tothe elderly and low income households in the Duhallow area. Theproject will strongly adhere tothe social inclusion agendaand will be ‘recovery’ focused.Recovery provides a shift infocus from mental illness tomental wellness whilstrecognising that people canhave occasional setbacks ontheir recovery journey. TheDepartment of SocialProtection under theActivation and Family SupportProgramme provided funding

Mental Heal th and Transi t ion to Employment


for the delivery of Foundation Training for those interested in takingpart in the Furniture Recycling Project going forward. The trainingincluded: Health & Safety in the Workplace, FETAC Level 5Occupational First Aid and Manual Handling. We are hoping theCommunity Service Programme will open its doors to applicationsagain soon. Without the core staff of a co-coordinator andadministration support it is impossible to get the project off theground.

Bereavement SupportIRD Duhallow continuesto provide a free andconfidential listeningservice to people whohave experienced a lossin their lives through ourvolunteer ledBereavement SupportGroup. Trainedvolunteers are availableto provide both one-to-one and group supportto people who are inneed of support througha difficult loss in theirlives. Our volunteers continue to be up skilled by undertaking trainingand workshops to ensure that we provide a high quality service. IRD

Duhallow’s Bereavement Support Group hosted a public seminar inSeptember entitled ‘Living Through Loss ’ which was a great success.Renowned Psychotherapist Jean Woods addressed the audience onThe Challenge of Change brought about by the Death & Loss of a lovedone, Adult Guidance Counsellor Alan Galvin spoke on Refocusing AfterJob Loss & Redundancy, while Mary Roberts, Psychiatric Nurse outlinedLocal Issues and Supports available. This event covered all types of lossthat a person can experience in life and what supports are available.The volunteers continue to promote the service locally through thedistribution of leaflets and business cards in prominent locations inDuhallow. The volunteers are currently in the process of establishing adrop in service in IRD Duhallow for September which will help tocreate greater access for people who are experiencing a loss in theirlives.

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Upholstery Tutor Michaela Donegangives Linda Murphy and Claire Galvin ahelping hand.

Bernadette Cronin, SpecialOlympics Medalist whowon 2 bronze and 1 goldfor the shot putt and relayproudly showcases herchair cover to MichaelaDonegan.

Participants of the Horticulture course which took place at the Secret Garden(back row) Donal Curran, Eileen Murphy, Marion Harman, Patricia O’ Donoghue,Julie Lehane, Danjoe Twomey, Sarah Evans of the Secret Garden, and Peg Twomey(front row) Julie O’ Keeffe, Bridget Sheehan and Alan Pitcher of the Secret Garden.

Manual Handling Tutor Sheila O’Keeffe, showingparticipants the vertebrae and spinal cord.

Nora Mai Kelliher and Ciss Guiney with guest speaker Mary Roberts and MauraWalsh IRD Duhallow.

Speakers Jean Woods,Alan Galvin andMary Roberts herewith TrionaMurphy of IRDDuhallow andMargaret Liston atthe ‘Living throughLoss’ BereavementSeminar.

IRD Duhallow’s Youth & Education Working Group promotessocial, personal and educational development of young people inDuhallow. The promotion of socially inclusive initiatives is vital foryouth in Duhallow and this is a priority of the Youth & EducationWorking Group. It has extensive representation from all therelevant youth bodies including primary & secondary levelschools, youth clubs, youth organisations and An Garda Siochana.

Youth InformationIRD Duhallow’s Career Exhibitioncontinues to be a successful eventwith 10 schools from North Cork,Limerick and Kerry availing of thisservice from 22 various Universities,Colleges and Agencies. This eventattracts students and their parents in rural areas to gain theinformation and knowledge from these exhibitors rather than havingto travel to open days at these institutions nationwide, many ofwhich would be unable to attend.

Future FocusThe Youth & Education Working Group identified the need to reachout to 2nd level students that were unsure of their future career pathsand were at risk of early school leaving. 15 students from the 5secondary schools in Duhallow took part in this 5 week initiativewhich commenced with a team building session at Ballyhass Lakes,followed by 3 sessions with a life coach and finished with a full day atTralee IT where thestudents participated intheir Taster Programmeon subjects includingNursing, Engineeringand Health & Leisure.This initiative helped theparticipants to focus onwhat their interests areand what they wouldlike to do with theirfutures. The IT TasterProgramme was alsoopened up to othertransition year studentsin Duhallow.


Dyslexia The Duhallow Dyslexia Support group was established by IRDDuhallow to focus on the needs of children with learning difficultiesand to provide help and advice for parents. IRD Duhallow is at theforefront in its quest to secure adequate resources and support forchildren with leaning difficulties in Duhallow.

Literacy Support WorkshopIRD Duhallow operates a Literacy Support Workshop on a weeklybasis in Newmarket.The support workshop is for all children that arefinding school difficult. This year IRD Duhallow established a bookborrowing system in our Literacy Support library. It is hoped that thisscheme will increase our student’s access to suitable reading materialthat will encourage and enhance their reading ability. Advisory Clinicsin conjunction with the Literacy Support Workshop operate on amonthly basis. The aim of these clinics is to offer advice andinformation to parents and guardians who have queries or needguidance on how to help their child with literacy difficulties. A ParentInformation Evening was also held to increase awareness of dyslexiaand to provide parents with information on the social and academicsupports available for children in primary, secondary, and third leveleducation.

Touch Type Read and Spell(TTRS)TTRS is a computer packagedesigned to help people overcomeliteracy difficulties such as Dyslexia.The programme is specificallydesigned to develop reading,writing; spelling, touch typing skills,self esteem and motivation inprimary and secondary schoolpupils. IRD Duhallow has trained itsdevelopment officers who offerthis support to young people.

Millennium Partnership Fund(MPF)The aim of MPF is to offer financialassistance for further and highereducation students who areexperiencing financial difficultieswhilst attending college. Last year 29 bursaries were funded throughIRD Duhallow, this increased to 32for this year, which was awelcomed increase.

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Triona Murphy, Development Officer in IRD Duhallow completes the pathfinder exercise with a student from ColaisteTreasa at the Careers Day. Pathfinder is asoftware programme that generates a listof courses and career options tailored toeach individual.

Students on the IRD Duhallow Future Focus Programme which aims to alleviate earlyschool leavers by focusing the student on the requirements of entry to college. Teambuilding is part of the programme and Ballyhass Lakes is an ideal location for this.

Youth and Educat ion

Leanne McCarthy and Tessa Keane who attend Newmarket Afterschools at theceremony where our Afterschools were awarded the Green Flag. Back Row: EllenMurphy & Jim Wilson (An Taisce) Ann McMahon and Helen O’ Sullivan (NewmarketAfterschools) Karen Lucey (Wrigleys) and Dr. Mary Stack (Cork County Council)

Niall Blake of Pallaskenry Agricultural College givesadvice on farming as an option to students at theCareers Day.

Val Doughty,tutor on the IRD DuhallowLiteracy SupportWorkshops aidsa student withreading andlistening skills.

University of Limerick was one of the25 colleges that exhibited at theCareers Day Exhibition. 10 localschools attended the day which alsoprovided opportunity for parents toaccess information locally.

Public SpeakingNow in its third year running, IRD Duhallow Public SpeakingCompetition continues to have a positive affect on those whoparticipate in it. Following both the Western & Eastern Duhallowheats, 4 schools proceeded to the final held in the Glen Theatre,Banteer. The high standard in public speaking on the night is a creditto both the pupils and the schools that put in the extra work to takepart in this competition. St. Lachteens National School,Donoughmore took home the IRD Duhallow Perpetual Trophy on thenight with Freemount National School coming a close second. BestSpeaker went to Leanne O’ Connor from Cullen National School. Theworking Group hopes that more national schools will take theinitiative to join this very beneficial programme in 2011.

Newmarket After Schools ServiceThe Newmarket After Schools provides both an after schools serviceduring the school term as well as full day childcare during the midterm and school holidays. Duhallow Area Rural Transport ensures thatchildren are collected from school and delivered safely to our facility.This facility provides a vital service to parents as it allows them tocontinue to work or undertake training while their children are caredfor in a safe environment receiving homework support, a nutritioushome cooked dinner and social interaction with other children. Atiered pricing system through the Community Childcare SubventionProgramme is also in operation in our facility, which allows parentsregardless of their financial circumstances, gain access to this service.The After Schools was successfully awarded the Green Flag by AnTaisce at an Awards Ceremony at the Lifetime Lab in Cork. This was agreat achievement for the facility as it is the first After Schools in thecountry to receive the Green Flag.

After Schools Homework SupportThe Youth & Education Working Group continues to support an afterschools homework club in 4 of the 5 secondary schools in Duhallowas well as St. Lachteens NS Donoughmore which focuses on childrenwho require additional support in their studies after school hours.

Youth and Educat ion


Summer Camps8 summer camps throughout the region received support last yearfrom IRD Duhallow which ranged from traditional dancing andbasketball to general sports. All these camps ensured children fromdisadvantaged families and rurally isolated had access.

Social & Personal DevelopmentIn order to raise awareness on bullying a seminar ‘Coping withBullying’ was organised. Guest speaker on the night Dr. Brendan Byrneaddressed the packed room of parents and teachers, on the role ofparents, bullying in the workplace and building up self esteem. Dr.Byrne who was a member of the Government Working Party whichdrew up guidelines for Primary and Post Primary schools oncountering bullying behavior provided invaluable information andsupports to parents and teachers on the night.

IRD Duhallow supported the Drive Safe for Life Programme withtransition year students in secondary schools in Kanturk andRathmore. This workshop raised awareness of road safety amongststudents at an age when they are about to embark on their drivingexperiences. The programme included graphic results of recklessdriving, drink and drugs when driving, using a mobile while driving,how speed kills, the rules of the road and the importance of seatbelts.

The Kilcorney Feis celebrated its 100th Anniversary and to coincidewith this IRD Duhallow supported Kilcorney National School to painta mural on the side of the school.

Colaiste Treasa was supported to undertake a 1st year students“Introduction to Study Skills” workshop on Goal Setting, TimeManagement, Note Taking and A Proven Method of Study. Thisworkshop trained students to work efficiently and save time instudying.

Youth Clubs Youth Clubs and Youth Projects continue to receive support from IRDDuhallow under the LCDP Programme. Both Tullylease and LismireYouth Clubs received funding for small scale equipment for theirmembers. Meelin Youth Choir which started in 2007 for 4-10 year oldswas supported with the purchase of new uniforms and organ tuition.Children in Meelin came together with Meelin Community Council topaint a mural on an unsightly wall in the village.

The LEADER programme targetsyoung people and having piloted anarts education programme for ahandful of primary schools throughLDSIP funding in 2008, an ArtsEducation Programme for 28 schoolswas rolled out last year throughLEADER. The workshops focused ondelivering an educational messageon environmental issues throughcreative art, music and puppetry.Environmental preservation is afeature of the new LEADERprogramme and this project ensureswe inform and educate our childrenon the importance of ourenvironment..

page 29

Winners of the IRD Duhallow Perpetual Trophy for Public Speaking were St. LachteensNational School Donoughmore. Front Row L-R Jack Cremin, Ciara Morrissey, Joseph Twomey, Ciara Crowley and David Looney. Back row L-R Ms Deirdre Kelleherteacher, Joe O Carroll, Eileen Linehan Noreen Twohig and Cllr John Paul O’ Shea

Freemount National School pupils (L-R) Triona O’ Callaghan, Aoife O’ Connor, Paula Reidy and Kayleigh O’ Brien who were runner ups in the Public Speaking competition final with sponsor Joe O Carroll, Eileen Linehan IRD Duhallow, sponsorNoreen Twohig, Cllr John Paul O’ Shea and Teacher Ms Mairead O’ Sullivan.

Eileen Linehan IRD Duhallow presentingthe best speaker award toLeanne O’ Connor of CullenNational School at IRDDuhallow’s Public SpeakingCompetition with herteacher Miss SineadMurphy, Sponsor Joe O’Carroll of O’CarrollInsurance, Sponsor NoreenTwohig of Twohig’sSupervalu and Cllr JohnPaul O’ Shea.

Dr. Brendan Byrne, guest speaker atthe Bullying Seminar whichhighlighted bullying in schools andin the workplace.


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Women & Chi ldcareSkeffington, Sarah Curran, Alice Taylor, Danu and Edel Quinn. Underthe new LEADER programme, funding has been secured to produce a book of essays to celebrate the Centenary of the birth of Nora Herlihy, Credit Union Pioneer. We have engaged a researcher fromUCC as well as the support from local volunteers and historians aswell as Rathmore Credit Union. It is hoped to publish these essays inNovember this year.

LEADER funding has alsobeen secured to erect amonument to Sr. MaryMcKillop, founder ofJosephs of the Scared Heartorder who inhabited theJames O’ Keeffe Institute for50 years and over 600 nunstrained and from here theytravelled to Australia andNew Zealand in order to carry out the work of the order. Sister Mary is to becanonised in October this year.

In May the Forum in conjunction with Féile Dúthalla hosted a publicseminar in Kanturk on the Role of Hanna Sheehy Skeffington in thefight for women’s right to vote. Margaret Ward author of “HannaSheehy Skeffington: A Life” was the guest speaker at this event.

Training for Women IRD Duhallow continues toprovide advanced trainingfor women interested ingaining employment or instarting their own businessor enterprise. In the last 12months 66 women havetaken part in a range ofdifferent courses includingthe Self EmploymentOptions Programme, TheStart your Own BusinessOne Day Seminar, The BookKeeping & PayrollProgramme, The MentorProgramme and TheBusinessFundamentals andAccounting, Manual andComputerised Programme. We also delivered a PersonalDevelopment Course forWomen. This coursespecifically focused ondeveloping the participantslistening skills, confidencebuilding, assertiveness skills and self esteem, and aimed to equipthem with the skill to handle difficult situations in their life.We alsodelivered 2 courses for women on Introductory Computers. Womenwill continue to be targeted in these different courses to ensure thatthey have access to the supports and training that they individuallyrequire.

The Women & Childcare Working Group focus its efforts on theissues that affect the lives of women in Duhallow and advocatesfor the positive development of women’s rights and opportunitiesespecially those disempowered within rural areas. Women are arecognised target of both LCDP and LEADER.

ChildcareOne of the major developmentsfor women in Duhallow over thepast 7 years is the development of 5 community childcare facilitiesthat provide affordable childcare in the local community. In the last12 months these local community childcare providers havewelcomed the new Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme(ECCE) which allows for the provision of a free pre-school place forchildren. This new scheme is very beneficial for parents; howeverissues still remain with this programme as no extra funding has yetbeen provided for its roll out.. Pobal has announced that the currentCommunity Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) will cease at theend of August and will be superseded by a new CommunityChildcare Subvention (CCS) Scheme which will be a mainstreamscheme where contracts will be entered into on a rolling one-yearbasis. The top-up grants that facilities were receiving in the past havebeen abolished which is a serious concern for all communitychildcare facilities. The Working Group will continue to work withchildcare providers in order to ensure the viability of our childcarefacilities.

Parent & Toddler GroupsDuring the past year workshopswere delivered for childcarefacilities and members of parentand toddler groups on infant firstaid and play therapy. The courseswere very successful withadditional play therapy coursesbeing facilitated to cater for thedemand from childcare providersand parents. Boherbue, Kilcorneyand Lyre Parent & Toddler Groupsavailed of LCDP small capital

funding towards the costs of equipment andtoys. Summer Camps were also supported inchildcare facilities in Duhallow. The CountyChildcare Committees have taken over thebrief for parent & toddler groups and theWomen & Childcare Working Group issupporting groups to access this funding.

Notable Women in DuhallowFollowing the release of the Mna DuthallaCalendar in 2004 which featured a range ofnotable women from Duhallow, the workinggroup is continuing to highlight the effortsof these women in order to raise the profile of women in Duhallow. Sculptures havealready been erected to Hanna Sheehy

Ann McMahon Childcare Worker withsome of the children she supervises inthe IRD Duhallow After Schools

Liam Boyle having funeating his home cookedbacon in the IRDDuhallow’s After Schoolsfacility which he attends.

Tim Browne Feile Dhuthalla &Jeanette O’ Connell IRD DuhallowWomen’s Forum present a picture ofHanna Sheehy Skeffington to Dr.Margaret Ward Author of “HannaSheehy Skeffington…A life”.

Victoria Cottrell happily gives HelenO’Connor R.S.S Worker her empty plateafter dinner in the IRD Duhallow After Schools.

Members of the Duhallow Women’s Forumenjoying a cup of tea at their meeting held onInternational Women’s Day

Andrew McCann Author of ‘Know Your Rights’with Judy O’Leary Duhallow Women’s Forumand Colette Vaughan Manager of NewmarketSocial Welfare Office at the Women & Pensions Seminar.

Ann Murphy RSS Worker getting ahelping hand from Ava Joyce in thekitchen at IRD Duhallow AfterSchools.

Caroline Murphy Tutor with participants on theInfant first Aid Course held for Parent & ToddlerGroups and Community Childcare Facilities in Duhallow

Maura Walsh, IRD Duhallow, MaryPrendergast, Credit Union, and SiobhanMurphy, Advertising and marketingManager of The Kerryman, with DanúChildcare group (Front Left) Mary AgnesO’Keeffe with (back from Left) TrionaMurphy and Eileen Linehan, IRD Duhallow,Danú Childcare’s Ann Marie Fleming, MaryWoods and Nora O’ Mahony at the KerryCommunity Awards Ceremony.


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Parenting Alone in DuhallowThe family in Irish society is changing. IRD Duhallow recognised thatwe can no longer assume that a family is made up of two parents andtheir children. Census 2006 recorded 189,213 lone parents’ families inIreland with18% of allfamilies now consistingof one-parent families.IRD Duhallow has takena pro-active approachto the ever evolvingfamily structurethrough itsestablishment andongoing developmentof the Parenting Alonein Duhallow Group(PAL). The groupsupports the diversityof lone parent familiesand promotes society’sunderstanding of theneeds of these families. The group highlights needs and issues thataffect one parent families and provides a positive image of one-parent families in the area. The group has grown in volume, purposeand ability since its inception in 2003. There are currently over fortymembers both male and female in the network, from its initialmembership of five lone mothers in 2003. The profile of the PALgroup has also transformed and now fathers and members ofmigrant communities in Duhallow all play a beneficial and welcomed role in PAL.

Monthly Meeting The past year has been a busy and productive year for the membersof PAL. The group have participated in numerous courses, workshopsand monthly meetings. Monthly PAL meetings provide practicalsupport to lone parents through the dissemination of informationamong the group. As lone parents are the expert in the area ofmanaging single parent households the information and experiencethey can provide and exchange with other group members isindispensable and greatly encouraged in these meetings.

Stress Management CourseThrough continuous consultation with the PAL group it wasidentified that stress posed a major burden to both the mental andphysical health of many lone parents. In response to theseconsultations IRD Duhallow organised a Stress Management Coursewhich ran in the autumn of 2009. This course increased the

Parent ing Alone in Duhal lowparticipant’s capabilityto be efficient andcontent parents, whichwill have a subsequentpositive impact ontheir own lives and thelives of their children.

Following on from thesuccess of this courseIRD Duhallow hasorganised a PersonalDevelopment coursewhich will provide the

participants with an opportunity to explore issues which affect theiremotional well-being and growth, including the management offeelings, stress, listening, communication and relationships.

Positive Parenting ProgrammeThe positive parenting programme was run over a period of 6 weeks.The overall aim of the programme was to the provide parents withthe opportunity to reflect on their parenting and build skills andstrategies that will support the parent-child relationship. IRD Duhallow hosted a positive parenting seminar for the members ofthe PAL group and other interested parents in the Duhallow region.Dr. John Sharry, a leading child psychotherapist presented on the

night and the focused on thetopics of ‘Building QualityRelationships with yourchildren’ and ‘BuildingChildren’s Self-Esteem andConfidence’. A two daycourse in BehaviourManagement was also rolledout for parents of PAL. Thiscourse allowed the membersto discuss their issues andconcerns on a one to onebasis with a counsellor inrespect to their children’sbehaviour.

Financial Advice and Budgeting Information EveningIRD Duhallow hosted an information seminar that focused onfinancial advice and budgeting specifically tailored for the loneparent group. Speakers from the Citizens Information Office andMABS presented on the night. Lone parents are more likely than anyother group to be living in poverty, compared to 4.2% of thepopulation as a whole. With ongoing threat to cut Lone ParentsAllowance during Ireland’s current economic downturn, informationon money management is one that is of immense relevance andimportance.

Family Fun Day The annual family day for the PAL group takes place in July. Bothparents and children thoroughly enjoyed their day out at KennedyFarm. The dayprovided immensebenefit at modestcost per family. Thetrip gave the parentsan opportunity tospend some qualitytime with theirchildren in a relaxedsafe environment andit also allowed themembers of PAL tobond together as agroup.

Donal O’ Mahony(MAB’S) givesinformation regardingdebt, money andbudgeting.

Cllr John Paul O’ Shea who Chaired a Seminar onBullying given by Dr Brendan Byrne with Maura Walsh and Eileen Linehan of IRD Duhallow.

Triona Murphy Development Officer of IRDDuhallow facilitating a Positive Parenting Course.

Dr Tony Humphries, Author of “Self Esteem,the key to your child’s future” who addresseda large attendance at a seminar or raisingconfident adolesents

Members of the Parenting Alone group enjoying their annual family day out atKennedy Pet Farm Killarney

The two Mollie’s getting to know the pets at Kennedy Pet Farm


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Tourism Since its inception, thedevelopment of walkshas been a key focus forIRD Duhallow. TheDuhallow Way was thefirst walk to bedeveloped and today wehave 6 loop walks and 3long distance walks. Withthe Rural Social Schemein place we are ideallyplaced to maintain ourwalks to the standardscommended by the Irish Sports Council in their inspections. We havedeveloped good brochures and all our walks are furnished withdetailed information boards. Some of our walks are ideal bridal trailsbuilding on the strong sport horse heritage of Millstreet andDuhallow.

Our rivers are one of our untapped natural resourcesand have potential to bedeveloped as a viable

tourism product with the Rivers Feale, Blackwater and its tributariesproviding some of the best trout and salmon fishing opportunities inthe country. With funding secured from the EU Life+, a conservationprogramme on the Allow River is planned for North Eastern Duhallow.Kanturk is set to become an angling centre of excellence with anactive angling club and international women’s and youth team.One of the rarest birds in Ireland and indeed Europe is the Hen Harrier

which is rarer than the corncrakedue to habitat loss and subsequentdecline in breeding. Duhallowboasts two of the six specialprotection areas in the country forthe hen harrier which makesDuhallow a very special place evenin European terms. We thereforehave the opportunity to develop anature tourism product based onbird watching.

Minister for Tourism, Culture & Sport Mary Hannifin visited IRDDuhallow’s office and launched the Walks Scheme and BallyhassLakes activity centre. She was impressed with the offering ofDuhallow in tourism terms and the key role LEADER has played indeveloping a range of products to suit all tastes in rural recreation.She recognised the need to expand our products and we outlined toher our plans to develop our region over the life of this LEADERprogramme to include the development of Cathair Craobh Dearg as a centre for Druidic and Celtic spirituality.

Prior to the establishment of IRD Duhallow, there was little focus on developing Duhallow’s image. In terms of tourism the area has not enjoyed the same level of external profile or popularity asmore established and visited areas in Cork or Kerry. We recognisethat Duhallow will never compete with these regions on physicalbeauty; however Duhallow has much to offer tourists in terms ofrural recreation.

For Duhallow to realise its full tourist potential, we must develop ourtourism product in order to achieve the critical mass required tomake the region a viable tourist destination. New tourism productsand the expansion of existing tourism and leisure related productswill be central in the development of our economic and tourismbase. Millstreet Country Park was developed as one of IRD Duhallow’sflagship projects and has emerged as one of its most successful. Thepark located at the slopes of the Mushera Mountain near Millstreet isnow visited by over 30,000 people annually.

Ballyhass Lakes in Eastern Duhallow hasemerged as a prime activity centre inCork for young people and is Ireland’sbest known spring water trout fishery,with eleven four star holiday homes andan activity centre for groups, schools andcorporate team building.

With assistance from LEADER, Kanturkcycling club is currently developing anoff road cycling track with velodrometrack and will be one of the largest in thecountry when completed this summer.Community driven developments suchas these along with the walks andangling are key to developing Duhallowas a rural recreation centre.

Isabella Witkowska Coillte, Jack Roche, MichaelDoyle, Minister Tony Killeen, Bernard Burke and JimRyan of Coillte.

Barry O’Donoghue tags a rare Hen Harrier.

Nuala Riordan and Louise Dineenenjoying a trek and met with Minister Tony Killeen at Source of the Blackwater,an ideal bridal trail

Nathan Kingerlee of OutdoorsIreland on his trek on the MunsterWay at Shrone Co. Kerry with a dogand a goat as companions.

Students fromScoil Ghobnatánin Mallow ontheir school tourat BallyhassLakes Activitycentre meetMinster forTourism, Culture& Sport MaryHannifin

At the switching on of the Mont Des Art replica at Millstreet Country Park, DonieHoward, Park Manager; Former president European Parliament, Pat Cox; Jerry Sheehan,of Millstreet Country Park; His Excellency Robert Devriese, Belgian ambassador whoperformed the official ceremony and Batt O’Keeffe, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.

Fishermen from Englandenjoying an anglingholiday at Ballyhass Lakes.

Work is underway In Kanturk on the offroad cycle track. Members of KanturkCycling club with IRD DuhallowChairman Michael Twohig andEucharia Chambers, Bank of IrelandManager of our Project EvaluationWorking Group


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Culture

Newmarket Pipe Band this year produced a book on the history oftheir band celebrating their achievements since inception in 1963.Millstreet Pipe Band continues to play all over Ireland and areapproaching 60 years in existence.

Communities have taken a proactive approach to preserving theirculture and heritage by researching and publishing books. In the pastyear the communities of Ballydesmond, Boherbue, Millstreet,Rathmore, Donoughmore and Kiskeam have all secured LEADERfunding to publish books of historical significance to each area.Boherbue Parish Council launched their book “The Church in theParish of Kilmeen” which was researched by Former School PrincipleLouis McCarthy in November.

Duhallow boasts three cultural centresin Laharn, Freemount and Rockchapel.These innovative projects illustrate therange of ways in which the LEADERprogramme supports basic services forbuilding of strong resilient ruralcommunities.

The Culture Centre, Bruach na Carraigein Rockchapel holds a weekly Seisiunthroughout the summer. They havesecured LEADER funding to delivermaster classes in traditional Irish musicsong and dance and once complete the centre will have a group of 20young people that will be in a position to perform and teach SliabhLuachra music and dance into the future.

There exists three key dimensions of the creative industries;innovation, enterprise and connecting. It is worth recognising thevaluable role played by the creative arts in unlocking creativity and incontributing to the economic growth of Duhallow as well as buildingsocial capital within communities. Creativity is not only in the heartsof our creative industries but underpins our ability to innovate, tocreate and exploit new economic opportunities and to competemore effectively. Cultural resource development enables fostering ofcreativity and strengthens the identity of an area. Numerous projectshave been supported over the last LEADER programme to fostercreativity in Duhallow. Many communities have been supported todevelop innovative solutions and have come together to develop awide range of cultural and arts resources. The LEADER programmehas helped to develop the cultural resources of Duhallow and topreserve the cultural treasures of the area and the identity that goeswith it.

Sliabh Luachra is recognised nationally and internationally as thebedrock of traditional Irish music, song, dance, poetry and cultureand is the source and inspiration of some of the finest traditionalmusicians in the whole of Ireland. The LEADER funded Bruach naCarraige Centre in Rochchapel has trained a new generation ofmusicians, singers and dancers in the Sliabh Luachra style ensuring itlives into the future.

We will build onDuhallow’s positionas a recreationdestination andcapitalise on ourcultural tourismpotential by puttingthe remainingnecessaryinfrastructure inplace with thesupport of LEADER.This will lay thefoundations for future investment in culture. Resources will bedeveloped as attractions in their own right, for sustainable ruraltourism and also for their positive influence, economic and socialdevelopment.

Duhallow boasts three Pipe Bands and IRD Duhallow has ensured thebands continue to grow and develop. Cullen is in the process ofbuilding a new band practice hall with the help of LEADER funding.

Dancing Teacher, Kathryn O’ Donnell,sets out the steps for these young girlsat Bruach na Carraige.

Timmy Collins veteran accordionplayer, with local musicians at thelaunch of his CD .

Surrounded by the rich anddiverse musical sounds oftheir Sliabh Luachra roots.Traditional Irish MusicGroup, “The Pure IrishDrops”, Matt Cranitch,Tommy O’Sullivan andJackie Daly are deep in theSliabh Luachra region atKnocknaboul Cross kick-starting the first concert oftheir European tour whichwas held in Rockchapel.

Dermot Jones autographs his book on the NewmarketPipe Band Story funded by LEADER.

Supporting local events and festivals Newmarket Pipe Band get ready for action.

Dancing “At The Crossroads" in Laharn Cross representing a time in Irish historywhen house dancing was prohibited.

Duhallow Choral Society has performed athome and abroad including for Senator HillaryClinton and the European Parliament. ChoirLeader Bridget Daly, Pat Cox & IRD DuhallowBoard Members Michael Twohig (Chairman), Jerry O Donovan, Judy O’Leary and MauraWalsh launching the choir’s uniforms.

A Kanturk photographer, Patrick Casey exhibits some of hispersonal favourites from hisarchives of black and whitephotographic images at theLEADER funded Kanturk ArtsFestival ,Hinterlands exhibition.


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Paddy O’ConnorSupervisorPaddy has been the IRD Duhallow CE Supervisorfor over nine years and has gained valuableexperience in aiding participants to get themost from their CE placement. Paddy hasresponsibility for supervising the eighteenparticipants as well as liaising with the

communities to ensure optimum support for the communities whileensuring the ongoing progression of participants.

CE in Duhallow Duhallow has only 4 schemesone of which is administeredby IRD Duhallow. Our schemecovers the communities ofBanteer, Boherbue, Ballydaly,Kilcorney, Lyre, Dromtarriffeand Rathcoole. For a numberof years, IRD Duhallow hasbeen seeking a morecompetitive quote for theinsurance of the scheme. Wewere delighted this year to

save over €1,600 in the cost of the insurance for our scheme. Thissaving will be passed on to our communities for materials.

Importance of CE Scheme in economic recessionOver the past twelve months IRD Duhallow has experience anincrease in the number of people enquiring about vacancies on ourCE Scheme. CE provides a unique opportunity to participants todevelop their skills and abilities while undertaking valuable work inthe community setting. The scheme is ideal for the long termunemployed who have been out of the workforce for some time andare in need of re-training. It is also useful to people who have losttheir jobs and need to retrain.

IRD Duhallow’s CE SchemeWe aim to provide the best possible service to communities whileensuring the most valuable work placement experience forparticipants. Support the integration of people who have beenabsent from the workforce for some time into the workforce andalleviate disadvantage for those distant from the labour market.

We encourage our communities to feedback on a continuous basis inorder to ensure that all works are completed to a high standard. Thescheme provides support for community halls such as Dromtarriffe,Parks such as Banteer Sports field, village greens and GAA pitches.

Without their help, community groups would find it difficult tomaintain the high standard of the community facilities which theyhave achieved.

Due to the increasing demands on the scheme from unemployedpeople, we applied to FÁS for extra places on our current scheme.However, we were not successful and so we have to work within ourexisting numbers.

Participant Development through Training Training and retraining is a key focus of CE scheme. IRD Duhallowstrives to identify the needs of local employers in order to focustraining in areas where real job opportunities exist locally. This isfacilitated through our Job Centre. The supervisor works with eachparticipant in developing a specific training plan tailored to theabilities of each participant.

Over the past year participants took part in an excellent Core SkillsTraining Programme which is FETAC accredited and includedSecuring Employment, Job Seeking Skills, Interview Skills, PersonalSkills for Employment and Money Management. Participants also gota further opportunity to participate in IRD Duhallow’s Pathways toEmployment Course which was run in Boherbue Training Centre.The Supervisor encourages all participants to consider specifictraining so that they can up-skill and improve their confidence andself-esteem on a personal level and improve their chances of gainingemployment.

The specific training completed so far this year includes Fork Lift andReach Truck, Safe pass, Mathematics, Horticulture, Child Development,Communications, Work Experience Course, Early ChildhoodEducation, Play Therapy Workshop, Sign Language, TowardsOccupation Course, Pathways to Employment, Sewing Classes, UsingSpread Sheets, Intermediate Computer, Occupational First Aid, andActive Leadership Course as well as project courses in ManualHandling, Machine Safety Awareness. All of the courses undertaken byparticipants are certified through FÁS or FETAC.

Case study - BoherbueThe village of Boherbue has two CE participants who haveresponsibility for the local cemetery, village greens, park and entranceroads to the village. Followingextensive surveying of the villageduring the summer of 2009 andconsultation with the localcommunity, the participants havebeen supported to develop a workplan which ensures the villageappearance is good all year round.The supervisor has worked closelywith the participants in order tomaximise the impact of CE inBoherbue and ensure their work isvisible and recognised by all.

Stephen Buckland and John Feely fencingat Dromtariffe Community Centre. Deirdre Kirwan Kearney

receives her certificate inOccupational First Aid fromPaddy. Deirdre is one of 4CE Participants that isworking in a communitychildcare facility throughIRD Duhallow’s CE Scheme.

IRD Duhallow FÁS Community Employment Scheme

BEFORE: Rear of Boherbue Church Yard. AFTER: Extensive work was undertaken byCE Participants Thomas Doody and Michael O’ Driscoll in conjunction with thecommunity

Following a review of theworks being undertaken bythe participants inBoherbue, hugeimprovements have beenevident in the village. Theparticipants as seen herecleaning the path aroundthe playground.

Participants onthe FAS ‘Core SkillsTraining’ whichran for 13 weeksand was open tothe otherDuhallow CESchemes.

Denis Murphy CE Participant atCrossroads in Ballydaly


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Yvonne Brosnan B.A. Information SystemsManagement, Dip. International Business,Cert. E-Commerce, Cert. SupervisoryManagement

Appointed in February 2003, Yvonne isresponsible for the day-to-day managementof the Duhallow Area Rural Transport (DART).She co-ordinates the recruitment andsupervision of Passenger Assistants and

Administration Staff. She generates reports for Pobal and liaises withcommunity groups for consultation on transport needs.

We have seen anotherchallenging and successfulyear for the Duhallow AreaRural Transport Programmeas it continues to build onits success in deliveringservices throughoutDuhallow despite the cut inCSP funding and the threatto the programme by theMcCarthy report. Localshave become fearful of

cuts to rural transport, which would leave them isolated and withoutaccess to even the most basic of services.

Last September IRD Duhallow held a National Rural Transport Day toraise awareness of the Programme and to challenge the An Bord SnipReport. We were delighted with the support of Deputy MichaelMoynihan and Councillors Timmy Collins and John Paul O’ Shea whogot on the buses to support DART.

DART is managed through IRD Duhallow’sSocial Economy working group. DART is alsoa member of the Rural Transport ProgrammeNetwork of which Board Member Jack Rocheis Chairman.

Since 2003 DART has provided an invaluableservice to people living in Duhallow to accessbasic amenities such as health clinics,pension, shopping and education. Weprovide transport that is affordable andaccessible and its key feature is the door todoor collection and both scheduled anddemand responsive services.

DART has fifty three different servicesoperating throughout Duhallow and we haveon average more than 4,500 passengersusing DART each month. In 2009 a milestonewas reached with over 59,000 passengerscarried by DART.

Rural Transpor t Programme

T.D. Michael Moynihan and IRD DuhallowBoard Member Jack Roche meet members ofCOPE on the DART bus to Cork.

We provide a daily service from Boherbue-Newmarket-Kanturk toMallow which supports people in accessing education in MallowCollege and Youthreach. Transport to COPE Foundation and the threeDay Care Centre’s in the Duhallow region is critical and bourne out bythe numbers availing of the service to access social, medical andtraining supports. Our thirteen evening services continue to be verysuccessful with groups in numbers attending Bingo in Kanturk,Banteer and Kilbrin. Wesupported Schools, youthclubs and After schoolservices. We transportedchildren to attendSwimming Lessons andeach school an educationalor social trip.Since 2003 DART hasreceived CSP fundingtowards staffing costs andoverheads which allowed us to spend the entire ruraltransport budget onTransport in Duhallow. The recent cut of the granttowards overheads hasmade the operations ofDART more challenging this year. DART operates byidentifying and organisingpassengers and routes andcontracting local hackneysand bus owners to providethe service. Thesebusinesses are mostly small,either family, partnership orsole-trader operators andfor most DART represents asignificant source of income; with a total ofover €1.5 million beingdistributed to 24 Taxi/Hackney BusOperators in the Duhallow region since DART began.

Vincent McDonnell andTheresa Collins members of theDART team working with ViceChairperson Cormac Collins inpreparation of the FinanceWorking Group Meeting.

From left to right: Jerry Lehane, Michael Curtin, JP O’ Keeffe and Jack Culloty DART driverstaking part in Midas Training which wasorganised by IRD Duhallow.

DART staff Noreen Courtneyand Eilish Breen brief Mr. NoelDillon, Chair of the SocialEconomy Working Group.

Newmarket NationalSchool students Patrickand Michael Browne andAaron Jennings amongthe students collected andbrought to the IRDDuhallow’s Afterschoolfacility with PassengerAssistant Marie Shire.

A group from Naddand its surroundingarea travel toKanturk to accessbasic services suchas health clinics,pension andshopping.

Cllr Timmy Collins supporting DART customersfrom the Rockchapel areawho travel each weekto Rockchapel Post Office.

Fine Gael T.D. Fergus O’ Dowd Spokesperson forTransport, IRD Duhallow Board Member JackRoche, Chairperson of National Rural TransportNetwork, National Secretary, Carmel Walsh ofKerry Community Transport and Deputy MichaelRing Fine Gael Spokesperson for RuralDevelopment.

Eileen Cavanagh and PeggySingleton just before they geton DART’s new route to Corkwhich replaced the Bus Eireann Service which ceased.

Cllr John Paul O’ Shea supporting DARTcustomers availing of transport fromDromahane and Lombardstown area to Mallow.


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Orlaith Tomkins was appointed Manager ofDCFS in January 2008. She has gained wideexperience in the hospitality and foodindustry in a number of different roles. Shecompleted a Management of Food Hygienecourse and is a registered trainer with theHSE.

Duhallow Community Food Servicesprovides a subsidised meal service to the

elderly or to those who are not in a position to cook for themselves.DCFS currently has 120 clients who avail of the service in the homeand 55 in group settings in community centres across Duhallow. Over22,000 meals were delivered last year; an increase of 5,000 on theprevious year. The demand for the service has almost doubled in thelast 3 years. Menus are carefully planned to ensure that clients receivetasty, wholesome, well balanced and varied meals. Meals aredelivered piping hot or chilled.

A recent review of DCFS by independent consultants, MomentumConsulting stated that “the very clear contribution of DCFS is thatelderly people living in isolation now have the multiple benefits of ahot meal in their own homes or in a community setting, furthermoreingredients are sourced locally from local suppliers creating amultiplier impact in the local economy with a spend of over€140,000 with local suppliers in 2009”.

The Management and staff at DCFS emphasise the safe and hygienicproduction and transportation of food. The meals kitchen has beenupgraded with LEADER assistance to utilise cook/chill technology inthe preparation of the cold meals. The vehicles are fitted with bothheated and refrigerated units to facilitate the safe transportation ofthe food.

The floods and heavy snow and ice in January proved challenging in terms of the distribution of meals. However meals were deliveredeach day with drivers in some cases walking where they could notdrive in order to reach their customers and bring milk, bread andother essential items to those who would otherwise have to dowithout. DCFS delivered over 1,000 meals during the heavy snow period.

DCFS is managed by its Board of nine voluntary directors. It providesemployment for 23 people living in the Duhallow area. Eleven staffare working as part of the Community Service Programme, and

Duhal low Community Food Services twelve are participants in the RuralSocial Scheme. There are also twovolunteers on deliveries. The project isan excellent example of the twoschemes working side by the side forthe better of the community and toimprove the quality of life for the mostvulnerable. DCFS has 4 supervisorseach assigned a team of people towork in their respective areas. Mealssupervisor is Louise McBride, BakerySupervisor Rose Drew, School Catering

Supervisor Mary O Connell and Transport Co-ordinator Neily O’ Flynn. Our caring staff and volunteers check on the welfare of customers, allunexpected unanswered deliveries are reported to the office andinvestigated with their nominated contact. We are indebted to thevolunteers who give their time so generously in the delivering ofmeals and to the groups in thecommunity centres whoorganise social gatherings.

The costs associated in runningthe service are understandablyhigh. To enable us to providemeals at an affordable price tothe elderly and overcome thereduced grants from CommunityService Programme, DCFS mustgenerate additional revenue tooffset these costs. Our bakery,school and catering service is ofhuge importance to assist in thefunding of the meals service.

Our bakery unit supplies 12 retail outlets on a daily basis and theFarmers Market in Kanturk with a wide selection of fresh bakeryproducts.

Since April 2008 we have provided cateringfor the students and teachers in theComprehensive school in Boherbue,providing healthy food and drinks to over350 students and staff on a daily basis. Our catering service is very popular forfamily occasions, birthdays, Communionsand Confirmations. The centre also providescatering for much larger gatherings in acommunity or private setting. We areindebted to the HSE for grant aid: thissupports the service and helps to keep costof the meals affordable to the customer.

With the local community supporting ourservices by buying our bakery productsand using our catering service and ourwebsite www.foodinduhallow.com topromote our services we are poised tomeet the increased demand for our serviceand have a target of 24,000 meals this year.

Iwona Loniewska packages the hot mealswith the new L Sealer Packaging Machinewhich was funded under the LDSIPProgramme.

Michael Murphy delivers a meal toDenis Healy who is always ready to play a tune for him.

Aidan Creedon, Liam Murphy andLouise McBride check chilled meals fordelivery.

DCFS ensured that customers alsohad supplies of bread and milkduring the snow.

More than just a hot meal! The socialinteraction is just as important, Mike Naglereceives his dinner from Michael Murphy.

Mr. Noel Dillon Chairman presents ahamper from DCFS to Ms. Mary Hanafin TD,Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Stanistawa Dul puts thefinishing touches to an orderfor a catering event, with CSPcuts to non wage grant it isnow more important for DCFSto subsidise the meal servicefor the elderly, throughoutside catering.

Our elderly population are more vulnerable in severe weather conditions, Tim RingRSS assists DCFS driver Paul O’ Connor to deliver meals during extreme weatherconditions.

Duhal low -The Land & PeopleIRD Duhallow territory includes North West Cork and South East Kerry and isapproximately 1,800 sq.km and has apopulation density of 16 per sq.km. It is a largely Rural area. Over 85% of thepopulation live in the open countryside or in settlements of less than 200 people. The Duhallow region has four market towns:Kanturk (Pop 1915), Millstreet (Pop 1401), Newmarket (Pop 949) andRathmore (Pop 611) and 36 villages.

I.R.D. DuhallowJames O’Keeffe Institute,Newmarket, Co. Cork, Ireland.Tel: 00-353-29-60633Fax: 00-353-29-60694Email: [email protected] Site: irdduhallow.com

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The European Agricultural Fundfor Rural Development:

Europe investing in Rural Areas


Communit ies in Duhal low


Community Groups in Duhal lowSouth Eastern Duhallow Communities IRD Duhallow Representatives

Aubane John Kellehe & Gerald McSweeney

Banteer Denis Withers & John Kirwan

Bweeng Jeanette O’Connell & Sean Kelly

Derrinagree Tom Meaney & Charlie Drake

Donoughmore & Stuake Patrick Buckley & Michael Forde

Kilcorney Donie Howard & Mary Kelleher

Laharn Eileen Forde & Sheila Crowley

Lyre Billy Murphy & Donal Murphy

Nadd Clodagh McSweeney & Paudie O’Shea

Millstreet Eily Buckley & Sean Radley

Rathcoole Eamonn Hurley & Liz Burns

Firmount Margaret O’Donovan & Peter Cafferkey

New Tipperary Mamie O’Shea & Tony Horgan

Western Duhallow Communities IRD Duhallow Representatives

Ballydaly Willie Joe Moynihan & Donie Carroll

Ballydaly Richie O’ Connor & Tim Murphy

Ballydesmond Siobhan Moynihan & Billy Lane

Boherbue Margaret Murphy & Marie Casey

Cullen Tom Riordan & Hannah Kelleher

Gneeveguilla Cormac Collins & Caroline O’Sullivan

Kiskeam Paddy Joe O’Leary & Batt Casey

Knockaclarig June Walsh & Ide Fitzgerald

Knocknagree Geraldine O’Connor & Claire Fleming

Meelin Kathleen Lehane & Denis McAuliffe

Rathmore Donal McCarthy & Marie O’ Leary

Rockchapel Mike Allen & Nellie Curtin

Taur Batt O’Callaghan & Darby Murphy

Knocknaboul Maureen Fleming & Tim Fitzgerald

Toureencahill Cynthia Daly & Lil Fleming

Ballinahulla Liam Doody & Betty Collins

Shrone Conon Creedon & Colette Carmody

Foilogohig Annette O’Rielly & Geraldine Cremin.

North Eastern Duhallow Communities IRD Duhallow Representatives

Castlemagner James Twohig & Andy Burke

Cecilstown Mary Cooney & William Morrissey

Dromtariffe Gerald Murphy & John Linehan

Freemount Caroline O’Carroll & Pat Keane

Kanturk John Fuller & Tommy Mullane

Kilbrin Patrick Drumm & Sinead Lynch

Lismire Colmon Jones & Sheila Kearney

Newmarket Eilish Hourigan & Sean Browne

Tullylease Angela Hannigan & Mary O’Connell

I.R.D. DuhallowJames O’Keeffe Institute,

Newmarket, Co. Cork, Ireland.Tel: 00-353-29-60633Fax: 00-353-29-60694

Email:[email protected]

I.R.D. DuhallowProgress Repor t

R E P O R T

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T h e S p i r i t O f R u r a l I r e l a n d

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