SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF GOLEEN & DISTRICT.
Summary of Report Produced By A Sub-Committee of
The Goleen & District Community Council

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.