Maoinithe ag Rialtas na hÉireann faoin bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta, 2007 - 2013

Slí na nOileán

Fómhar / Autumn 2014 Eagrán / Issue 13

Cadhcáil le Give it a Go

Kayaking with Give it a Go

Duncan Warner

Slí na nOileán 2 Fómhar/ Autumn 2014

San Eagrán Seo - Contents

3 Blueway — Snorcláil in Éirinn 4 Blueway — Snorkelling in Ireland 5 An Clár Forbartha Tuaithe - Deontais Íoctha 6 Rural Development Programme — Grants Paid 7 An Clár ForbarthaTuaithe - Deontais Íoctha sa Ghaeltacht 9 RDP Grants Paid in the Gaeltacht 11 Bíodh do Chearta ar Eolas Agat 12 Know Your Rights 13 Staidéar agus Taighde Oileánda 14 Island Studies and Reserach 15 Athrú Foirne Staff Changes Pictiúir ón mbarr anuas Pictures from top to bottom: 1. Ionad Pobail Inis Toirc Inishturk Community Club 2. Blueway Water Activities Trail 3. Ionad Óige Bhearna/Forbacha

Barna/Furbo Youth Venue

Slí na nOileán 3 Fómhar/ Autumn 2014

Blueway — Snorcláil in Éirinn

Ba í Laura Taylor, Oifigeach Forbartha Spóirt na Comhairle Fo-Thuinn, a mhol tionscnamh Blueway i bhFeabhra 2012 mar bhealach chun snorcláil a chur chun cinn in Éirinn. Ní raibh rianta mara riamh cheana in Éirinn. Cé go raibh an-chur amach ag na Ceann-Eagraíochtaí Náisiúnta ar na hacmhainní mara, ní raibh mórán ar eolas ag na pobail áitiúla faoin mbuntáiste a bhain le cósta an Atlantaigh do Mhaigh Eo agus do Ghaillimh.

Tá rianta Blueway suite in áiteanna inar féidir gníomhaíochtaí atá bunaithe san uisce a chur ar fáil, agus ina gcuireann an fharraige go mór leis an méid atá le fáil dóibh siúd a thugann cuairt ar an gceantar. Is branda é Blueway, agus is féidir le pobail áitiúla é a úsáid le tacú le cuspóirí turasóireachta tuaithe inbhuanaithe.

Is tionscadal comhoibritheach é Blueway idir:

• Cuideachtaí Forbartha Áitiúla: Cuideachta Forbartha Mhaigh Eo Thiar Theas, FORUM Chonamara agus Comhar na nOileán

• Ceann-Eagraíochtaí Náisiúnta: An Chomhairle Fo-Thuinn, Canoe Union of Ireland agus Leave no Trace Ireland

• An tÚdarás Forbartha Turasóireachta Náisiúnta - Fáilte Ireland • Na hÚdaráis Áitiúla: Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo agus Comhairle Contae na

Gaillimhe I Meitheamh 2014, sheol an tAire Michael Ring Treoirthionscadal Blueway i gCluain Cearbán, Co. Mhaigh Eo. I rith an tsamhraidh, bhí deich lá trialach ar siúl i dTrá Chaoim, Oileán Acla, Cluain Cearbán, Co. Mhaigh Eo agus i roinnt áiteanna i gContae na Gaillimhe: Cuan Inis Bó Finne, Trá Ghlasoileáin, An Caoláire Rua agus Cuan Mhanainn, an Clochán. Chuir soláthróirí gníomhaíochtaí áitiúla agus an Chomhairle Fo-Thoinn snorcláil agus cadhcáil ar lascaine ar fáil do chuairteoirí. Chuir na laethanta sin deis ar fáil do phobail agus do ghnóthaí áitiúla fáil amach cén chaoi a n-oibríonn gnóthaí Blueway. Tá fianaise láidir ann anois gur féidir le Blueway deis tráchtála a chur ar fáil do cheantair ar an gcósta. In áiteanna nach raibh soláthróirí áitiúla ar fáil, d'iarr an Chomhairle Fo-Thoinn ar threoraithe oilte oibriú ag na suíomhanna sin don tsamhradh (gan costas ar bith don Chomhairle). Bhog beirt treoraithe amach go Inis Bó Finne, chuaigh duine go Trá Chaoim agus d'oibrigh Laura Taylor i gCluain Cearbán. D'éirigh go maith leis an tsamhail ghnó, agus bhí an trí shuíomh inbhuanaithe ó thaobh an ghnó treoraithe snorclála de. Chruthaigh rathúlacht na ngnóthaí Blueway go bhfuil fiúntas ag baint le Blueway, agus spreag sé gnóthaí agus pobail áitiúla páirt a ghlacadh ann. D'éirigh thar cionn leis an treoirthionscadal Blueway, agus chuir na meáin an-suim ann – an chéad uair a cuireadh suim den chineál sin sa snorcláil in Éirinn. Léiríodh Blueway ar Nationwide ar RTÉ, agus chuaigh an láithreoir, Anne Cassin, ag snorcláil in Éirinn den chéad uair ar an gclár. “Spreag an clár mé mo snorcal féin (nár úsáid mé riamh in uiscí na hÉireann) a thabhairt go Iarthar Chiarraí le breathnú ar an gcósta” a dúirt Anne ina dhiaidh sin. Luadh Blueway in alt an Irish Times, Top 20 Places to go Wild in Ireland, agus scríobhadh píosa faoi in The Journal agus i roinnt irisí mara. Baineadh úsáid as na meáin shóisialta chun an scéal a scaipeadh, agus déantar cur síos an-dearfach air ar Facebook agus ar Twitter. Táthar ag caint anois ar Blueway a thabhairt isteach i réigiúin eile ar fud na hÉireann, go háirithe ar chósta an Atlantaigh.

Slí na nOileán 4 Fómhar/ Autumn 2014

Blueway — Snorkelling in Ireland

The Blueway concept was first proposed by CFT’s SDO Laura Taylor in February 2012 to help promote the sport of snorkelling in Ireland. The concept of marine trails is hugely innovative in Ireland. While the National Governing Bodies were very familiar with the extent of the marine resource, local communities had little knowledge of the Wild Atlantic resource along the Mayo/Galway coastline.

Each Blueway trail is situated in a distinct place where water-based activities are pro-vided and at which visitors can engage with the sea to enhance their experience in the area. Blueway is also a brand that local communities can adopt to support sustainable rural tourism objectives.

The Blueway concept grew into a collaborative project between:

• Local Development Companies: South West Mayo Development Company, FORUM Connemara and Comhar na nOileán

• National Governing Bodies: Irish Underwater Council, Canoe Union of Ire-land and Leave no Trace Ireland

• National Tourism Development Authority - Fáilte Ireland • Local Authorities: Mayo County Council and Galway County Council

In June 2014, Minister Michael Ring officially launched the Blueway Pilot Project at Old Head, Louisburgh, Co Mayo. Over the course of the summer, ten Blueway ‘taster days’ were hosted at Keem Bay, Achill Island, Old Head, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, and in several locations at County Galway: Inishbofin Harbour, Glassillaun Beach, Killary Harbour and Mannin Bay, Clifden. Local activity providers and CFT provided discounted snor-keling and kayaking to visitors on these days. The ‘taster days’ also showed local com-munities and businesses how the Blueway business model worked. There is now clear evidence that Blueways can provide real commercial opportunities for coastal areas. In areas where local providers were unavailable, CFT asked some of their trained guides to work at these sites for the summer (at no cost to CFT). Two guides moved out to In-ishbofin, one went to Keem, and Laura Taylor worked at Old Head. The business model worked well, and all three sites were sustainable in the snorkel guide business. The suc-cess of the Blueway businesses has proven the potential of the Blueway offering and en-couraged buy-in from local communities and businesses. All in all, the Blueway pilot project was a huge success, with significant media interest - a first for the sport of snorkelling in Ireland. The Blueway was featured on RTE One’s Nationwide, in which presenter Anne Cassin took to the water for a her first-ever snorkel in Ireland. “Actually the experience inspired me to bring my own snorkel (untested in Irish waters of course)...to West Kerry to explore the shore,” Anne said later. The Blue-way was also feature in the Irish Times’ Top 20 Places to Go Wild in Ireland and written up in The Journal and several marine magazines. Social media has been used to spread the word of the Blueway sites, and reaction on Facebook and Twitter has been enthusias-tic. Now there is talk of expanding the Blueway into other regions across Ireland, and especially along the Wild Atlantic.

Slí na nOileán 5 Fómhar / Autumn 2014

An Clár Forbartha Tuaithe -

Deontais Íoctha

Sean O’Neill, Inis Arcáin Tugadh maoiniú €9,750 dó chun gearrthóir fáil/mótúil a cheannacht le cur ar a tharracóir chun sceachanna agus toir a choinneáil faoi smacht, agus chun obair conartha a dhéanamh do fheirmeoirí, úinéirí talúin agus úinéirí tithe saoire agus chun na bealaí a choinneáil glan. Denis & Mary Healy, Oileán Dursey Is €13,578.69 a fuair Denis agus Mary Healy ar Oileán Dursey chun teaichín céad bliain d’aois ar fheirm bheag a athchoiriú mar lóistín féin-fhreastail ar cíos gearr-théarmach. Inishbofin Development Company Íocadh deontas €1,079.46 leo do Fhéile Siúlóide Inis Bó Finne a bunaíodh le forbairt a dhéanamh ar an turasóireacht ar an oileán. Inishturk Community Club Tógadh ionad phobail Inis Tuirc sna 80ídí. Cuirtear áiseanna agus gníomhaíochtaí ar fáil do na hoileánaigh agus do chuairteoirí ann. Is áis é ina bhfuil béar, leithris, seomra ócáide, cistin agus spás bheag stórála. Is spás ilfheidhmiúil é an seomra ócáide a úsáidtear do chóisir agus ócáidí chomh maith le gníomhaíochtaí pobail. Is é seo an t-aon foirgneamh pobail ar an oileán, agus cé go bhfuil tigh lóistín ann, níl aon bialann ná café ann. Nuair a bhíonn ócáid ar siúl ar an oileán, déanann an grúpa mná an bia a chócaráil ag baile agus a thabhairt go dtí an ionad. Leis an deontas seo de €195,536.13 cuireadh síneadh leis an ionad agus tógadh citheanna poiblí agus leithris, seomra cótaí, spás oifige café idirlíon agus méadaíodh an chistin. Le soláthar citheanna agus leithris poiblí bainfear i bhfad níos mó de bhuntáiste as an trá atá díreach faoin ionad, agus is féidir níos mó turasóirí a mhealladh chuig

Jim Muldowney, Oileán Árainn Mhór Fuair eisean bád tumadóireachta 10m ar dheontas €182,599.35. I mí na Bealtaine 2012 bhunaigh an iarrthóir Dive Arranmore chun tumadóireacht a chur chun cinn ar Oileán Árainn Mhór. Tá tarraingt mhór ag tumadóirí ar Oileán Árainn Mhór mar gheall ar an suíomhanna feiliúnacha atá ar an Oileán. Chun an tionscnaimh seo a fhorbairt, fuair an t-iarrathóír bád 10m déanta go speisialta chun go mbeidh sé ábalta freastal ar 10-12 tumadóirí ag aon am amháin.

Comharchumann Chléire Teoranta Íocadh deontas €4,792.08 leis an gcomharchumann chun mionathruithe a dhéanamh ar Ionad Oidhreachta Oileán Chléire chun go mbeadh siad ábalta cartlainn an oileáin a stóráil go sábháilte. Íocadh deontas de €1,000 leo chomh maith chun oileánaigh a thraenáil in úsáid scafall, ionas gur féidir leo é a úsáid go sábháilte i gcothabháil agus cúram na bhfoirgneamh pobail. Coiste Spóirt & Siamsaíochta Inis Meáin Maoineadh €4,900 le Coiste Spóirt agus Siamsaíochta Inis Meáin chun sraithe imeachtaí traenála a eagrú don phobal. Chuir siad ar fáil traenáil spóirt d’óige an oileáin ó 12- 18 bliain d’aois, cúrsaí aclaíochta do dhaoine fásta agus cúrsaí éagsúla eile.

Slí na nOileán 6 Fómhar / Autumn 2014

Jim Muldowney, Arranmore Island

He received grant aid of €182,599.35 for a 10m diving hard boat. In May 2012 the pro-moter established Dive Arranmore to pro-mote diving around Arranmore Island. In order to expand the dive business, a larger boat was required. He commissioned a boat specially made to accommodate 10-12 di-vers at the one time. Comharchumann Chléire Teo

Payment of €4,792.08 to carry out modifica-tions to Oileán Chléire Heritage Centre to permit the safe storage of the island ar-chives. They also received grant aid of €1,000 to train islanders in the use of scaffolding, so that they can use it safely in the mainte-nance and upkeep of community buildings. Coiste Spóirt & Siamsaíochta Inis Meáin

Coiste Spóirt agus Siamsaíochta Inis Meáin received funding of €4,900 to organise a series of training events for the community. They organised and ran sports training for the youth of the island from 12 to 18 years, various fitness and athletics courses for adults and other training and fitness activ-ties.

Rural Development Programme - Grants Paid

Sean O’Neill, Sherkin Island He received funding of €9,750 to purchase a hedgecutter/mulcher to attach to his tractor. This was in order to maintain hedgerows/low lying shrubbery and to carry out contract work for other farmers, private and holiday home owners and to maintain the island freeways. Denis & Mary Healy, Dursey Island They received €13,578.69 for the renovation and refurbishment of a century old cottage on a small farm holding into a self-catering accommodation for short term letting on Dursey Island. Inishbofin Development Company Payment of €1,079.46 towards the Inishbofin Walking Festival which was established for the encouragement of tourism activities on the Island.

Inishturk Community Club The existing community club on Inishturk was built in the 1980s. Its facilities are available to the islanders and to the visitors. It houses a bar, toilets, a function room, a kitchen area and storage space. The function room is a multipurpose space, used for parties and functions as well as for community activities. It is the only community building on the island, which despite having B&Bs, has no restaurant or café. When there is a function on the island, food is cooked by the women’s group at home and taken to the centre. With this grant aid of €195,536.13 they have extended the building to include public showers and toilets, a new lounge area, a larger kitchen and cloak room, office space and an internet café. The provision of public showers and toilets means that greater advantage can be taken of the beach just below the centre, thus attracting additional day visitors.

Slí na nOileán 7 Fómhar / Autumn 2014

Clár Forbartha Tuaithe -

Deontais Íoctha sa Ghaeltacht

Seósaimh Ó Cathasaigh, Turais Bád Chonamara Fuair an t-iarratasóir seo deontas €57,867.52 chun RIB 8.5 méadar a bheadh feiliúnach do 8 bpaisinéir agus an scipéir a cheannacht . Tá an RIB seo in úsáid le haghaidh turais thart ar oileáin Chonamara Theas. Foidín Meara Teoranta Fuair Foidín Meara Teo. €150,000 maoiniú chun bád a cheannacht chun rothair agus rothaí a iompar idir Ros a Mhíl agus Árann. Tá sé i gceist ag Foidín Meara Teo. éicthurais timpeall Oileáin Árann a chuir ar fáil chun radharc a thabhairt de na h-ailltreacha agus saol mara thar timpeall na h-oileáin. Níl éicthurais den chinéal seo dhá soláthar do thurasóirí faoi láthair. Ó tharla go bhfuil suim mhór ag an iarrthóir i gcúrsaí mara, eiceolaíocht, staire agus cultúr, bheadh sé i gceist aige cur síos a dhéanamh ar chúrsaí mara, staire agus cultúrtha an cheantair ar ghléas idirchumarsáide an bháid le linn na turais ar fad. Seo gnéith lárnach den seirbhís a bheadh sé ag cur ar fáil. Claregalway Historical and Cultural Society Íocadh deontas de €117,338.80 leo. Séard a d’usáid siad an maoiniú le h-aghaidh ná le teach tréigthe agus an cró béal dorais a aistriú isteach ina iarsmalann siúinéara agus ionad léirithe i mBaile Chláir na Gaillimhe. Is seo an dara páirt de thogra an iarratasóir chun athchóiriú agus athnuachan a dhéanamh ar phéire de na luath-fhoirgnimh atá fágtha i mBaile Chláir na Gaillimhe. Sa chéad stáid

den togra seo rinneadh athchóiriú agus páirt tógáil ar ceárta gabha dubh. Tá an forbairt nua seo béal dorais don ceárta agus taobh istigh tá iarsmalann siúineara, ionad léirithe agus oifig bheag agus leithreas. Déanfaidh an forbairt seo comhlánú ar oidhreacht stairiúil shaibhir Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe. Ionad Oidhreachta Leitir Mealláin & Gharumna Bunaíodh an t-Ionad Oidhreachta san mbliain 2009. Tá bailiúchán iontach curtha le chéile acu ó thaobh oidhreacht, cultúir agus stair áitiúil ó shoin i leith. Ach, de bharr easpa trealamh cuí san Ionad le trí bliana anuas bhí baic orthu maidir leis an méid a bhí siad in ann a dhéanamh chun a chinntiú go gcaomhnaitear oidhreacht agus cultúr shaibhir an cheantair. Leis an maoiniú de €7,045.38 a fuair siad cheannaigh siad deasc agus cathaoir oifige mar tá catalógú leabhair agus nuachtáin dhá dhéanamh acu. Fuair siad ríomhaire glúine le taighde a dhéanamh agus freisin le ábhar digiteach idir griangraif, píosaí staire, nuachtáin agus irísí bheith ar fáil don phobal. Bhí comhairle fáighte ag an Ionad infheistiú láithreach i mboscaí saor ó aigéad chun teasc na nuachtáin agus nithe eile a chaomhnú agus ceannaíodh iad seo freisin leis an maoiniú. Lisa Emily Friel, Maigh Cuilinn Fuair an t-iarratasóir €23,166.75 le stáblaí marcaíocht a thógáil do scoil teanga agus marcaíocht chun go féidir leis an tionscnóir ceachtanna marcaíocht capall a chur ar fáil do mhic léinn eachtrannacha atá ag staidéar Béarla. Páirc Feirme Leamhchoill Teoranta, Maigh Cuilinn Íocadh €3,412.50 le Páirc Feirme Leamhchoill Teo. Tá siad ag feidhmiú mar ghnó cheana féin agus tá sé lonnaithe i Loughwell, Maigh Cuilinn, Co. na Gaillimhe. Is Feirm Peataí atá ann. Fuair siad an maoiniú seo chun an gnó a fhorbairt,

Slí na nOileán 8 Fómhar / Autumn 2014

tríd suíomh nua idirlín a fhorbairt, ina mbeidh Córas Bhainistíochta Inneachair (CMS) ann, ionas go bhféadfar áirithintí a láimhseail ar líne. Eile Mental Teoranta, Na Forbacha Fuair an comhlacht seo €149,999.56 chun páirc gníomhachtaí amuigh faoin spéir a fhorbairt sna Forbacha, Co. na Gaillimhe. Cuid de na gnéithe atá ar fáil san ionad ná Lámhach Millíní Péinte; Láthair Chatha Beo; Zorbáil; Bogdóireacht; Rianadóireacht & Galf Diosca.

Comhlacht Forbartha an Spidéil Teoranta

Fuair an comhlact forbartha seo €122,437.67 chun cosán coisithe nua 470m, le soilse poiblí, ballaí agus oibreacha gaolmhara a thógáil ar bhóthar Maigh Cuilinn ar an mBaile Árd i sráidbhaile An Spidéil.

Ionad Óige Bhearna/Na Forbacha Teoranta

€16,496.37 a fuair siad le áis ilchuspóireach don óige a fhorbairt. Fuair siad an maoiniú chun ionad óige do mhuintir an cheantair a thógáil i mBearna.

Claregalway Community Development Association

Fuair siad €25,650 do staidéar féidearthachta chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar fhorbairt áiseanna pobail nua agus feabhsúcháin ar na áiseanna pobail atá ann cheana féin i mBaile Chláir na Gaillimhe.

Duncan Warner, Bearna

Is €1,012.50 a fuair eisean chun cúrsa oiliúna don traenálaí le oiliúint i cadhcála a chur ar fáil ar feadh na bliana. Tá Duncan Warner cáilithe le Aontas Canúála na hÉireann agus Aontas Canúála na Breataine mar chóitseálaí cadhcáil farraige agus faoi láthair cuireann sé turais cadhcáil farraige ar fáil. Fuair sé maoiniú de €4,031.53 agus cheannaigh sé leantóir cadhc le haghaidh iompar agus stóráil chadhcanna agus céaslaí, agus ceamara faoi uisce le píosaí scannáin físeán a chuir ar fáil.

Vincent Kilduff, Bearna Fuair Vincent Kilduff maoiniú €24,187.50 chun tastáil agus forbairt a dhéanamh ar Parakeet, sin córas teagascóireachta ceoil a bheadh ar fáil ar-líne. Is córas simplí, iomasach agus spraoiúil é a chomh cheangailaíonn cód dathanna le nótaí. Is féidir leis an gcóras feidhmiú le chuile uirlis. Mar sin ní úsáidtear nodaireachtaí nach bfhuil gá leo agus cuireann sé structúir simplí agus oiriúintí ar fáil chun tacaíocht a thabhairt agus an taithí foghlama a fheabhsú. Coiste Pobail na Tulaí Fuair iadsan €115,684.71 le cosán coisithe 800 méadar a thógáil ó TG4 siar chomh fada le crosaire bhóthair Bhaile na hAbhann. Rinne siad forbairt ar na ballaí atá ag síneadh leis an gcosán freisin.

Slí na nOileán 9 Fómhar / Autumn 2014

Seósaimh Ó Cathasaigh Turais Bád Chonamara The promoter received grant aid of €57,867.52 for the purchase of an 8.5 meter RIB which will comfortably accommodate 8 passengers plus the skipper. It will be used for sight-seeing trips around the islands of south Connemara. Foidín Meara Teoranta Foidín Meara Teo. received Leader funding of €150,000 for the purchase of a vessel for the carriage of bicycles and cyclists between Ros a Mhíl and Aran. As a central part of the development of this business, the promoter plans to offer scenic tours of the Aran Islands to give people a view of the cliffs and marine life activity of the islands. Eco-tours of this type are not available to tourists at present. The promoter has a great interest in marine, ecological, historical and cultural affairs. He intends to provide a commentary on the marine life, history and culture of the area over the boats intercom while the boat is travelling. This is a central part of the service he wishes to provide. Claregalway Historical & Cultural Society Payment of €117,338.80 to transform a derelict cottage into a carpenter’s museum and interpretive centre. They renovated an existing derelict cottage and adjoining shed for use as a carpenter’s museum and an interpretive centre in Claregalway. This proposal represents the second phase of a project undertaken by the promoter to restore and renovate two of the few remaining early

vernacular buildings in Claregalway. The first phase of the project was the restoration and partial reconstruction of the old blacksmiths forge. The new development is adjacent to this forge and contains a carpenter’s museum, interpretive centre and a small office and toilet. This development complements the rich historical heritage of Claregalway.

Ionad Oidhreachta Leitir Mealláin & Gharumna This Heritage Centre was established in 2009. They have compiled a wonderful collection in terms of heritage, culture and local history material and artefacts. Due to this lack of proper equipment at the Centre for the past three years, there are barriers as to what they are able to do to ensure that the rich heritage and culture of the area is preserved. With the funding of €7,045.38 they purchased a desk and office chair as they are cataloguing books and newspapers. A laptop was purchased to do research and also for the digital content, photographs, historical pieces, and magazines to be available to the public. They have been advised to immediately invest in acid-free boxes to preserve invaluable newspapers and other materials. Lisa Emily Friel , Moycullen The promoter received €23,166.75 to construct riding stables for a language and riding school so that the promoter can provide horse riding lessons to foreign students while studying English.

Rural Development Programme -

Grants Paid in the Gaeltacht

Slí na nOileán 10 Fómhar / Autumn 2014

Loughwell Farm Park, Moycullen €3,412.50 was paid to Loughwell Farm Park. The business, a pet farm already exists in Loughwell, Moycullen, Co Galway. This funding is to develop the business further, through the development of a new website, with a Content Management System (CMS), which will enable them to manage online bookings. Eile Mental Teoranta, Furbo Eile Mental Teo received grant aid of €149,999.56 to develop an outdoor activity park at Furbo, Co. Galway. Some of the activity in the activity park are: Paintball; Battlefield Live; Zorbing; Archery; Orienteering & Disc Golf. Vincent Kilduff, Barna Vincent Kilduff received €24,187.50 to establish the feasibility of Parakeet, a music tutorial system which would be available online. It is a simple, intuitive, and fun system that combines a set colour code to notes, and can be applied to all instruments. It excludes unnecessary notation, and adds simplified structures and accessories to support and enhance the learning experience.

Coiste Pobail na Tulaí

They received grant aid of €115,684.71 to build an 800 meters pedestrian footpath from TG4 westwards as far as Baile na hAbhann crossroads. Walls along this footpath were also developed.

Comhlacht Forbartha an Spidéil Teo. This funding of €122,437.67 was used to develop a new 470m pedestrian footpath with public lighting, walls & associated works on the Moycullen road at Baile Árd in Spiddal village. Barna/Furbo Youth Venue They received €16,496.37 to develop a multi-purpose youth facility. They received the funding to build a youth centre in Barna for the people of the area.

Claregalway Community Development Association They received €25,650 for a feasibility study to examine the viability of developing a new community facilities and the enhancement of existing community facilities in Claregalway. Duncan Warner, Barna He received €1,012.50 for a training for the trainer course to provide all year round training in kayaking. Duncan Warner is qualified in both the Irish Canoe Union and the British Canoe Union as a sea kayaking coach and currently provides sea kayaking tours on either full or half day tours. He received grant aid of €4,031.53 to purchase a kayak trailer for transporting and storage of kayaks and paddles, and an underwater camera to provide video footage.

Slí na nOileán 11 Fómhar/ Autumn 2014

An Clár Forbartha Pobail Áitiúil

Bíodh do Chearta ar Eolas Agat!

Go dtí seo, bhí na rátaí Cánach Maoine Áitiúla mar an gcéanna ar fud na tíre – 0.18% i gcás áitreabh le luach faoi €1 milliún agus 0.25% ar an iarmhéid os cionn €1 milliún. Ó 2015 ar aghaidh, beidh cead ag údarás áitiúil na rátaí bunúsacha sin a athrú suas le 15% taobh istigh dá cheantar féin. Ciallaíonn sé sin go mbeidh d’údarás áitiúil in ann an ráta cánach atá le n-íoc ina cheantar féin a athrú suas le 15% taobh istigh dá cheantar féin in 2015. Tugtar coigeartú áitiúil air sin. Cé go bhfuil sé de chumhacht ag an údarás áitiúil na rátaí a athrú, is iad na Coimisinéirí Ioncaim a bheidh á bhailiú.

Ní mór do bhaill tofa an údaráis an cheist a phlé agus cinneadh a dhéanamh an bhfuil coigeartú áitiúil le bheith i bhfeidhm don bhliain 2015. Chuige sin, ní mór dóibh rún a bheith glactha acu na rátaí a athrú, agus na Coimisinéirí Ioncaim a bheith curtha ar an eolas ar nó roimh an 30 Meán Fómhair 2014. Má chuireann siad laghdú 15% i bhfeidhm ar na rátaí don bhliain 2015, mar shampla, tiocfaidh laghdú 15% ar an méid a fhaigheann an t-údarás áitiúíl ón gciste lárnach don Cháin Mhaoine Áitiúil in 2015. (Coinníonn an t-údarás áitiúil 80% den Cháin Mhaoine Áitiúil chun seirbhísí don phobal a mhaoiniú in 2015. Baintear úsáid as an 20% eile le maoiniú breise a chur ar fáil do cheantair údaráis áitiúla áirithe ag a bhfuil bonn cánach maoine níos ísle ná údaráis eile mar gheall ar an difríocht atá idir luach áitribh ar fud an Stáit.)

Mar gheall ar seo, d’fhéadfadh go mbeadh cáin mhaoine áitiúil níos airde nó níos ísle á íoc ar áitreabh cónaithe ar an luach céanna i gceantair údaráis áitiúla ó 2015 ar aghaidh, ag brath ar an bhfuil coigeartú áitiúil curtha i bhfeidhm ag an údarás nó nach bhfuil.

Mar shampla, más fiú níos lú ná €100,000 do theach, d’íoc tú €90 i gCáin Mhaoine Áitiúil in 2014. Má chuirtear méadú 15% i bhfeidhm i do cheantar údaráis áitiúil, íocfaidh tú €103.50 in 2015 agus má chuirtear laghdú 15% i bhfeidhm, íocfaidh tú €76.50 in 2015. Tabharfar do thaifead Cánach Maoine Áitiúil chun dáta i nDeireadh Fómhair 2014 chun táille na bliana 2015 a thabhairt. Is féidir leat do ráta Cánach Maoine Áitiúil don bhliain 2015 a fháil ach breathnú ar do thaifead Cánach Maoine Áitiúil ar líne. www.citizensinformation.ie

Ceist 1: Céard atá i gceist le coigeartú áitiúil ar an gCáin Mhaoine Áitiúil agus cén tionchar a bheidh aige ormsa?

Slí na nOileán 12 Fómhar/ Autumn 2014

The Local Community Development Programme

Know Your Rights!

Until now, Local Property Tax (LPT) rates have been the same nationwide – 0.18% for properties valued up to €1 million and 0.25% on any balance over €1 million. However, from 2015 on, a local authority may vary these basic rates within its own area by a maximum of 15%. This means that your local authority can either increase or decrease the rates of LPT payable in its area in 2015 by up to 15%. This is called the local adjustment factor. While the local authority has the power to vary the rates, the LPT will still be collected by Revenue. The elected members of a local authority must consider the issues and decide whether to apply a local adjustment factor for 2015. To do this they must have passed a formal resolution to vary the rates and must have notified Revenue on or before 30 September 2014. If they reduce LPT rates by 15% in 2015, for example, this will result in a corresponding reduction of 15% in the amount that the local authority gets from the central LPT fund in 2015. (Each local authority will retain 80% of LPT to fund public services in 2015. The remaining 20% will be redistributed to provide top-up funding to certain local authority areas that have lower property tax bases than others because of the variance in property values across the State.)

The introduction of the local adjustment factor means that residential properties of the same value in different local authority areas may pay different amounts of LPT from 2015 on, depending on whether the local authority has applied a local adjustment factor or not.

For example, if your house is valued under €100,000, you will have paid €90 LPT in 2014. If the LPT rate in your local authority area is increased by 15%, you will pay €103.50 LPT in 2015 and if this rate is decreased by 15%, you will pay €76.50 LPT in 2015. Your LPT record will be updated in October 2014 to include your 2015 LPT charge. You will be able to confirm your LPT rate for 2015 by accessing your online LPT record.

www.citizensinformation.ie

Question 1: What is the local adjustment factor for the Local Property Tax and how will this affect me?

Slí na nOileán 13 Fómhar/ Autumn 2014

Staidéar agus Taighde Oileánda

Neil Lodwick

Thug Neil Lodwick, mac léinn dochtúireachta taighde dara bliana ó Ollscoil na Breataine Bige, cuairt ar Inis Oírr níos luaithe i mbliana mar chuid dá thaighde ar na cúinsí sóisialta, timpeallachta agus geilleagracha a imríonn tionchar ar, agus a thacaíonn le hinbhuanaitheacht phobail oileánda. Tá an taighde dírithe ar 3 phobal oileánda ar chósta iarthair na hÉireann, na hAlban agus na Breataine Bige, is iad sin Oileán Í sna hOileáin Istigh in Albain, Caldey in iardheisceart na Breataine Bige, agus Inis Oírr. Le comhsheasmhacht a chinntiú, agus le gur féidir anailís chomparáideach a dhéanamh, roghnaíodh oileáin a bhí roinnt tréithe i gcoitinne acu. Is iad sin:- 1. Tá daonra buan idir caoga agus trí chéad duine acu ar feadh na bliana; 2. Tá achar timpeall ceithre nó cúig mhíle cearnach acu ar fad; 3. Tá oidhreacht cultúrtha agus creidimh láidir acu; 4. Is ar farraige nó san aer atá rochtain ar an trí oileán; 5. Ó thaobh polaitíochta agus riaracháin de, tagann na hoileáin faoi údarás rialtais

náisiúnta agus áitiúil na mórthíre. Is meascán idir comhairlí pobail, comharchumainn nó cumainn deonacha/creidimh atá i gcóras daonlathais na n-oileán;

6. Tá cúnamh deontais/airgeadais faighte ag an trí oileán ó institiúid Eorpacha agus rialtais Náisiúnta/Áitiúil;

7. San am atá caite, bhíothas ag brath ar ioncam ó tháirgeadh agus díol bunaithe ar thionscail eastóscacha, m.sh. iascaireacht agus talmhaíochta;

8. Tharlaigh go leor imirce ó na hoileáin san am atá caite, agus tá an daonra tagtha chuige féin le roinnt blianta anuas;

9. Le blianta beaga anuas, tá an trí oileán ag leathnú amach ó thaobh táirge agus seirbhísí de, chun ioncam agus fostaíocht a fheabhsú. Is foinse suntasach ioncaim atá sa turasóireacht anois;

10. Tá bonneagar timpeallachta agus éiceolaíochta suntasach sa trí oileán. D’fhoghlaim Neil go leor faoi na dúshláin agus na deiseanna a bhain le hInis Oírr ó na hoifigigh atá lonnaithe ag comharchumann an oileáin, Comhar Caomhán Teo, múinteoirí ag na scoileanna áitiúla agus foireann oibre Ionaid Ealaíon agus Amharclainne an oileáin, i measc go leor eile. Thug Neil suntas ar leith do na tionscnaimh dhearfacha faoinar thug daonra an oileáin ó na 1970í i leith. Ina measc seo tá caomhnú éiceolaíochta an oileáin, bainistiú bruscair, feabhsú caighdeán uisce an oileáin, feabhsúcháin timpeallachta ar chósta an oileáin, cur chuige cothrom ó thaobh turasóireachta de, agus obair i dtreo neamhspleáchais ó thaobh fuinnimh de. Is í an Bhreatnais teanga dhúchais Neil, agus bhí sé an-tógtha le tiomantas agus iarrachtaí na n-oileánach chun a chinntiú gur í an Ghaeilge an príomhtheanga cumarsáide agus cainte. Beidh Neil ag tabhairt cuairt fhada ar an oileán sa mbliain nua, agus tá suim ar leith aige fáil amach faoi thuairimí na n-oileánach maidir le hinbhuanaitheacht Inis Oírr, ní hamháin don ghlúin seo ach do na glúinte atá le teacht.

Slí na nOileán 14 Fómhar/ Autumn 2014

Neil Lodwick a second year Doctoral research student at the University of Wales visited Inis Oírr earlier this year as part of his research towards identifying certain social, environmental and economic factors that influence and contribute to the sustainability of island communities. His research focuses on three island communities on the western coastline of Ireland, Scotland and Wales namely Iona in the Inner Hebrides, Caldey in south west Wales and Inis Oírr. In order to ensure consistency and to allow for comparative analysis all three islands subject to research have a number of common characteristics namely: 1. They have a permanent all year round population of between fifty to three hundred

residents; 2. The land mass of each island is similar- approximately four to five square miles; 3. They all have a strong religious and cultural heritage; 4. Accessibility to all three islands is either by sea or air transport; 5. Politically and administratively the islands come under the jurisdiction of National and

Local mainland government. The main form of “island democratic decision making” is a mixture of community councils, co-operatives or voluntary/religious associations;

6. All three islands have benefited to a certain extent on financial/grant support from Na-tional/Local government and European institutions;

7. Due to limited resources there has been in the past an over reliance on revenue from the production and sale derived from extractive industries e.g. fishing and agriculture;

8. An historical record of out-migration followed by a recent stabilisation in population; 9. Over recent years all three islands have begun to diversify produce and services in or-

der to enhance revenue and employment. Tourism has become a major source of exter-nal income;

10. A profound environmental and ecological infrastructure exists in all three islands. During his visit Neil gained considerable knowledge about the challenges and opportunities relating to Inis Oírr from officers located at the islands co-operative, Comhar Caomhán Teo, teaching professionals at the local schools and staff at the islands Theatre and Arts Centre, Áras Éanna to name but a few. In particular Neil has commentated on the positive initiatives undertaken by the islands community since the 1970’s. This has included the commitment towards the preservation of the islands ecology, waste management, enhancing the islands domestic water quality, environmental improvements to the islands shoreline, a balanced approach to tourism, and the vision of the islanders to become “energy independent”. As a native Welsh speaker Neil was most impressed by the efforts and commitment demonstrated by the islanders towards ensuring that the Irish language was the preferred form of everyday speech and communication. Neil will be visiting the island in the new year for an extended visit and is particularly keen to engage with the majority of island residents especially in understanding and gaining their views about the future sustainability of Inis Oírr not for the current but for future generations.

Island Studies and Reserach

Neil Lodwick

Slí na nOileán 15 Fómhar/ Autumn 2014

Athrú Foirne —Staff Changes

Sheas Majella Ní Chríocháin síos as a post mar POF Chomhar na nOileán le déanaí, tar éis trí bliana go leith ag ceann na heagraíochta. Thosaigh Majella le Comhar na nOileán i 2011 mar POF ag bain-istiú an clár Leader, CFPA, Scéim Siúlóide agus Scéim Sóisialta Tuaithe thar cheann an Bhoird. Ba fostaí eiseamláireach, a d’oibrigh an-chrua í Majella, agus bhí meas ag an bhfoireann agus an mBord uirthi. Bhí cumas iontach aici chun déileáil leis an mBord, cliaint, foireann agus lucht maoinithe ar bhealach cúirtéiseach agus éifeachtach. Bhí sí in ann a comhpháirtíochtaí agus caidreamh maith oibre a fhorbairt le pobail agus le heagraíochtaí ar na hoileáin. D'fhreastail Majella ar a cruinniú boird deir-neach mar POF i D’Fómhair nuair a bhí cur i láthair déanta de phéintéireacht de Inis Oírr, le Manfred Url, ealaíontóir cónaithe Áras Éanna, agus ina dhiaidh bhí lón leis an mBord. Ba mhaith leis an mBord agus foireann Comhar na nOileán gach rath a ghuí uirthi sa todhchaí ina ról nua le Oireachtas na Gaeilge. Ba mhaith le Bord Comhar na nOileán fáilte a chur roimh Máire Uí Mhaoláin sa bpost mar POF Gníomhach na cuideachta. D'oibrigh Máire roimhe seo do Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann mar bhainisteoir an tionscadail ESIN Interreg agus bhí ag obair faoi láthair mar oifigeach togra do Com-har na nOileán ar an gclár Leader. Tá go leor taithí ag Máire i seachadadh tionscadail chuimsiú sóisialta chomh maith agus d'oibrigh sí ar an dá chlár LDSIP agus CFPA. Ba mhaith leis an mBord gach rath a ghuí uirthi ina ról nua. Ba mhaith leis an mBord fáilte a chur le Joe Ó Curraoin a bhí ag obair le Comhar na nOileán i nGael-tacht na Gaillimhe cheana. Is é Joe an oifigeach togra gníomhach ar an gclár Leader. Majella Ní Chríocháin recently stepped down from her position as CEO of Comhar na nOileán after three and a half years at the head of the organisation. Majella started with Comhar na nOileán in 2011 as CEO and managed the Leader programme, LCDP, Walks Scheme and Rural Social Scheme on behalf of the Board. Majella was a very hard working and exemplary employee and was respected by both staff and Board alike. Majella had a great ability to deal with the Board, clients, staff and funders in a courteous and efficient manner and was able to develop partnerships and good working relationships with communities and organisations on the islands. Majella attended her last board meeting as CEO last October where a presentation of a painting of Inis Oírr by Manfred Url, a resi-dent artist of Áras Éanna, was made followed by lunch with the Board. The Board and staff of Comhar na nOileán would like to wish her well in the future with her new role with Oireachtas na Gaeilge. The board of Comhar na nOileán would like to welcome Máire Uí Mhaoláin to the position of acting CEO of the company. Máire has worked previously for Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann as manager of the ESIN Interreg project and was currently working as project officer for Comhar na nOileán on the Leader programme. Máire has also a lot of experience in delivering social inclusion projects also and has worked on both the LDSIP and LCDP programmes. The board would like to wish her well in her new role. The board would also like to welcome back Joe Ó Curraoin who worked with Comhar na nOileán in the Galway Gaeltacht. Joe is now the acting project officer on the Leader programme.

John Walsh, Chairperson

Comhar na nOileán Teoranta

Foilsithe ag / Published by Comhar na nOileán Teo. Inis Oírr, Oileáin Árainn, Cuan na Gaillimhe, 099 75096 Curtha i gCló ag / Printed by: CL Print

Sonraí Teagmhála / Contact Details

Máire Uí Mhaoláin

Riarthóir/Oifigeach Forbartha / Administrator/Development Officer, Inis Oírr 099-75096 maire@oileain.ie

Marian Uí Chonghaile Riarthóir Airgeadais / Financial Administrator, Inis Oírr 099-75096 marian@oileain.ie

Máirín Ní Chonghaile

Rúnaí/Riarthóir SST / Secretary/RSS Administrator, Inis Oírr 099-75096 mairin@oileain.ie

Mary Lavelle Oifigeach Forbartha / Development Officer, Inishbofin 095-45016 mary@oileain.ie

Joe Ó Curraoin

Oifigeach Forbartha / Development Officer, Inis Oírr 099-75096 joe@oileain.ie

Blueway - Keem Beach © Laura Taylor