LEADER

For further information contact: Mary Leen,

Community Development Officer

Island Centre Castleisland Tel: 066 7142675

E-mail mary.leen@oceanfree.net

Background of Company

Tuatha Chiarrai Teo comprises almost two fifths of the area of County Kerry. There are three recognised community groups in the Tuatha Chiarrai area- Sliabh Luachra, Listowel Baronies and Treoir Tra Li. These three areas decided to come together to form the company Tuatha Chiarrai Teo in order to apply for funding under the LEADER II Programme, which is a European initiative.

They were successful and initially received £2.8 million for the whole area. This was then split between the three areas although administered centrally by Tuatha Chiarrai Teo. Under the European guidelines only 80% of the administration costs of running the company could be funded and as a result all the LEADER Companies around the country had to find the balance in the private sector. Lee Strand in Tralee provided this and as such are the company responsible for keeping the LEADER II Programme in Kerry. Tom O’Donnell is the Chief Executive of Tuatha Chiarrai and is based in the Head Office in Tralee.

A Development Officer is responsible for each area and there are two sub offices -one in Listowel and one in the Island Centre, Castleisland.

Mary Leen is the Development Officer operating out of the Castleisland office with responsibility for the Sliabh Luachra area. She works with private individuals as well as community groups in the Sliabh Luachra area, helping to animate and empower them and bring projects to fruition. She prepares detailed reports on potential projects and present them to the Boards.

All projects go through the following process of evaluation before receiving funding. First they go to the local prioritisation Boards and then to an evaluation Board until finally to the main Tuatha Chiarrai Board. This process works well as it ensures that the local boards have input into the decision making process.

The individuals involved on the Sliabh Luachra LEADER Prioritization Board are Louis Barton, Jim Murphy, Tom Shanahan and Joe Galvin.

The main Tuatha Chiarrai Board is made up of community representatives from the three respective areas, together with members of semi state bodies and the private sector. In total seventeen individuals sit on this Board.

The members from the Sliabh Luachra region on the Tuatha Chiarrai Board are Brian O’Connor, Pat Mitchell, Jim Murphy and Sheila Hannon. All the Board representatives work in a voluntary capacity

Step into shape for the Summer at Knocknagoshel Sports and Recreational Centre.

This centre which was opened in February 2001 comprises of a top of the range gymnasium. The centre is part of a wider ambitious plan to provide Sport Complex amenities such as an all-weather playing pitch, Running Track and other facilities which is due for completion in early 2002. It received grant aid to the sum of 50,000 from Tuatha Chiarrai Teo. Mr. Jim Murphy said "this facility is a huge benefit to Knocknagoshel and the wider community. The area was crying out for a facility like this."

The instructors are Damien Tobin and Humphrey Shanahan. Damien, who is qualified in Sport and Leisure Management, has also trained Margeret Nelligan as instructors.

For further information please call 068-46969

Castle in Castleisland

A feasibility study has been completed on the Castle in Castleisland funded by Tuatha Chiarrai and commissioned by Sliabh Luachra Women's Resource Group. The feasibility study has determined the legal ownership and liability of the Castle, an engineers assessment on the structure and a quantity surveyors report on detailed costs of the work to be completed. Duchas and Kerry County Council were also involved and the residents on the Killarney Road have been informed of the findings.

picture of the Castle as it stands today.

Sliabh Luachra Women's Resource Group

The Sliabh Luachra Women's Resource Group in Castleisland have successfully had a feasibility study completed on the Castle. The findings, which are being discussed with the residents at present, will help with the future development of this project.

Environment Knocknagoshel

Brian Crowley, M.E.P. recently opened a bridge with access for the disabled in Knocknagoshel, Co. Kerry. This project, which was undertaken by Knocknagoshel Angling Association, involved the restoration of the River Owveg both as a fishery and recreational area by providing River Walks, Seating, Stiles, Bridges and a Footbridge with access for disabled.

This can be seen from the main Limerick Road just beyond Headley's Bridge.

Community News-Lyreacrompane

The new multi purpose centre in Lyreacrompane was officially opened by Minister John O'Donoghue, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, on Friday 27th October 2000.

This centre, which received funding of the sum of 80,000 pounds from Tuatha Chiarrai Teo, contains the following features:

Male and Female Shower Rooms, General Purpose Room, Laundry Service, DayCare Service, Kitchen, Main Hall.

The showers will be used by walkers using the Lyreacrompane Walks and also cater for football and soccer matches and for school sports and community games. Speaking at the opening Mr. Tom O'Donnell, Chief Executive of Tuatha Chiarrai Teo, said " The centre was a great asset and credit to a small community who raised over half the funding for this centre themselves.

volunteers with Santa at the Over 55's Christmas Dinner

" A Vibrant Community Centre" Mary Leen, Development Officer

This centre was officially opened last October and is the home of all local activities. Among these are:

Mother and Toddler Group

The Over 55's Club

The Youth Club

Indoor Sports

Laundry Service

A summer camp is being run in the first two weeks of July.

For further information call Larry Long on 068-48143

"The largest LEADER funded project in Ireland"

Under the LEADER II Programme additional funding was allocated to flagship projects. Sliabh Luachra Cultural and Heritage Centre is a flagship project for the Sliabh Luachra area and received funding to the sum of £150,000. The centre will provide a suitable venue where the unique Irish music, heritage and traditions of the Sliabh Luachra area can be recorded and preserved for future generations.

If you are looking for some Local entertainment this Spring, look no further than Sliabh Luachra Culture and Heritage Centre. Johhny Reidy Ceili Band, are playing there on St. Patrick's Day and each weekend is fully booked with events.

for further information call Taide Hickey on 066-7147231

Training and Recruitment

In early 1998 Tuatha Chiarrai Teo co-ordinate a Local Development Training Programme for all the communities in the Sliabh Luachra area. The Training Programme was conducted in three venues, Castleisland Community College, Brosna Parish Hall and Kilcummin Rural Development Office. The course which lasted eight weeks included the Organisation and Management of Community and Voluntary Groups, Role of Chairperson and Officers in a committee, Preparation of a business plan, marketing and financing for community groups etc,

Innisfallen Glass

Terence and Helen McSweeney, Knocknataggle More, Kilcummin took the plunge and started up their own glass making business in 1998. They had attended all the craft fares organised by Tuatha Chiarrai Teo and had worked closely with the Development Officer in putting together a comprehensive business plan.

They received funding towards the purchase of equipment and also availed of the mentoring service. Both Terence and Helen McSweeney said that “without LEADER’s help and advice their business would not have happened”

Environmental Project,

An integrated approach

Tuatha Chiarrai Teo works closely with the County council, FAS, and the South Western Fisheries Board to develop an integrated to environmental project. Under the village renewal scheme many villages have received funding and Tuatha Chiarrai have further enhanced this scheme by providing further support to develop these villages.

Development of a wildlife pond at Killeentierna, Currow, Killarney.

This was instigated by Currow and Currans Rural Development Group to develop the fishpond outside Currow village as a public and tourist amenity while enhancing its current conservation and eco-tourism value. Tuatha Chiarrai worked closely with the South Western Regional Fisheries Board to bring this project to fruition. This project is now complete and has received approval for funding for over 7,000 pounds from Tuatha Chiarrai Teo.

Other projects that the South Western Regional Fisheries Board in conjunction with Tuatha Chiarrai Teo were involved in , include the development of the River Walk in Castleisland, and the restoration of the River Owvey in Knocknagoshel both as a fishery and a recreational area.

Tautha Chiarrai Teo and the County Council came together in a joint venture to support the Castleisland Development Association with the under grounding of the electricity cabling on Main Street, Castleisland.

The new community centre in Lyreacrompane is another example of what can be achieved when two agencies work together with the local community. This centre which is due to be completed by the end of June 2000 is a fine example of a vibrant community project. The centre will contain the following features: Male and Female Shower rooms, General Purpose Room, Laundry Service, Day Care Centre, a Crèche and a Large Hall.

The majority of community centres in the Sliabh Luachra area have received assistance from Tuatha Chiarrai Teo. In addition to the ones already mentioned, Brosna, Firies, Knocknagoshel, Ballymacelligott, Killeentierna and Kilcummin also have centres that provide Day Care Services to their Parishes and are used as Resource centres for the community. It is envisaged that these will be further developed in the next round under LEADER plus.