Profile Of The Goleen & District Community Council
Location: Goleen & District Community Council spans the Mizen Peninsular incorporating
the District Electoral Divisions of Crookhaven, Goleen, Toormore, Dunmanus and
Lowertown. On the most south westerly coast of Ireland.
Background: The Community Council was first formed at the beginning of 1999 after a
Steering Committee had began the procedure in late 1998.
Structure: The Council is made up of 2 elected representatives from each of the 8 districts. .....members
are representatives of various local organisations. The Council is a member of Muintir na
Tire. The Council is sub-divided into five sub-committees, which report back to the main
committee. Meetings are held once a month with an AGM every year and elections every
three years.
Projects Undertaken: The Community Council has spent much of its first year organising
the structure of the council and the assessment of the comprehensive “Needs Survey.” The
Council have been in consultation with the Barleycove Beach Project. The identifying of
the problems of both water pressure and sewage of Goleen village and the prevention of
indiscriminate development of the village. Entry into the Tidy Towns and Litter Free
Roadside Competitions. The assistance to the first performance of the Goleen Drama
group. The establishment of Goleen Table Tennis Club. The running of socials, barbecues
and bingo nights. The fitting of brackets and supply of Christmas trees, for Goleen and
Lowertown Christmas decorations. The organising of Millennium celebrations and the
distribution of commemorative medals to all the children of the District. Work has already
begun on the new playground which will be situated adjacent to the new Goleen
Community Playgroup. A monthly Community Newsletter “The Grapevine,” has been a
success and is received by 1 in 4 within the district.
Impact: The Community Council was at one stage under pressure to succeed, things
moved slowly as a lot of the initial projects and assessment were complex. Many of the
newly elected councillors were inexperienced at committee work and needed a time of
adjustment. In the second half of the year the Community Council has received a lot of
support and encouragement from the local community as the council began to provide new
services and react to the needs expressed in the survey. The Christmas lights brought a lot
of positive comments from everyone as did the Tidy Towns report, the Grapevine has
become a new source of information about what is happening in the area and has created a
forum for discussion on the improvement of the region. The Community Council has been
buoyed to see other local areas incorporating our innovations and a greater shared effort is
abroad within the community.
Current Issues: The future development of the region incorporating the natural aesthetic
of the area coupled with a higher standard of all services. The water supply to the villages
is of great importance. The Community Playground when finished will be a huge asset to
the community and one that will provide a lot of pride. Recreational facilities are very poor
within the region and a co-ordinated centre incorporating GAA, Soccer, Table Tennis,
Drama and other activities is much need for the community. The Barleycove Project is still
in discussion with the Community Council.
Conclusion: The Goleen & District Community Council is the only local body that has
representation from every area of the community and has brought locals, long term
residents, the retired, the youth and all the local organisations into a co-ordinated effort to
help one another to thrive and develop well into the 21st Century.