Issue 3
Winter 2013
Magazine of North Tipperary LEADER Partnership • Your local development company
NO ONE
LEFT
BEHIND
Highlighting NTLP’s work
in Social Inclusion
Roscrea
Men’s Shed
Supporting
Traveller Health
NTLP Supporting
Kilcommon
- p9
- p14
- p18
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
NTLP News
‘Speak Up’ Café on Domestic
or Sexual Violence
On Tuesday December 3rd, the
Mid-West Advisory Committee on
Violence Against Women is hosting
a ‘Speak Up’ café. They are inviting
people whose lives have been affected
by Domestic and/or Sexual Violence
and their friends and family to meet
with agencies and ‘Speak Up’ and tell
organisations how they can improve
their services.
Participating agencies include Gardaí,
North Tipperary County Council,
Health Services, Social Work services,
Ascend Services, Rape Crisis Services,
Legal Services and many more.
The event will be held at the Abbey
Court Hotel, Nenagh, and services will
be present from 11-2pm. People are
invited to drop by and give feedback
on the services.
Family Support Group
The North Tipperary Family Support
Group has moved to the TRYS Offices,
above the Snooker Hall in Templemore.
This is to facilitate people travelling
from different areas. The group
meets on the first Wednesday of each
month from 6-8pm. Transport can be
arranged if required. For more info call
Aideen Connolly on 087 6840551, or
Joe Slattery on 086-4163509.
NTLP opens new Thurles Office
Thurles welcomed the NTLP office on
1st August 2013, located on Kickham
Street. The new office is home to TUS,
LCDP and the Traveller Development
Programme. Deirdre and Sarah are
2 TUS participants who work here.
There are many varieties of placements
under the TUS programme in Thurles
such as Tidy Towns, the Arts Festival
and many more. Social inclusion is
very important to the community and
is the heart of what we do.
communicate their views and opinions
on how any improvements can be made
to their service.
NTLP Soundcloud
Rabiya Ali joined NTLP in June as
Co-ordinator of the Ascend Domestic
Violence Service. Rabiya brings a
rich and experienced background
to the Service having worked in the
community development sector in the
Mid-West for several years in a variety
of roles with ADAPT Domestic Abuse
Services, PAUL Partnership, Doras
Luimni and the Mid-West Regional
Drugs Task Force.
A range of sound clips from NTLP
can be found online – just see www.
SoundCloud.com and search for NTLP
NTLP STAFF NEWS
Childcare
Brenda Small has recently been
appointed Manager of Little Learners
Community Childcare Service in
Roscrea. Brenda, who hails from
County Tyrone is an early years
professional and holds a Bachelor of
Arts Degree in the Advanced Study
of Early Years and Education. She
brings with her ten years of work
experience in the field and joins a very
committed and experienced staff in
the Service. Brenda is very grateful
to children, parents and staff alike, for
making her feel very welcome in her
new role with the Organisation. She is
passionate about early childhood care
and education and firmly believes that
those fortunate enough to work with
children have a fantastic opportunity
to positively influence the young in
ways that will remain with the children
throughout their lives.
Rural Transport
We also welcome our new Rural
Transport Programme Administrator,
Anthony Moroney, who commenced
his position in June. He has been out
and about meeting the many users
of our service, and inviting them to
2
Ascend
Roisin O’Connor has joined the Ascend
Services team. She will be working
as an Outreach Worker and based in
Roscrea. Roisin previously worked
in Galway City Partnership, The Life
Centre and Clare Youth Service and
has completed a Masters in Sociology:
Youth, Community & Social Regeneration in University of Limerick. We wish
Roisin well in her new role.
Tipperary Green
Business Network
Kate Walsh concluded her placement
with NTLP as co-ordinator of
Tipperary Green Business Network
(@tpgbn) following a successful 9
months. During this time the network
has held a number of successful
events and training courses and has
begun to develop a base of paying
membership. Kate is continuing as
part-time Co-ordinator with support
from the development companies and
Enterprise Boards in North and South
Tipperary. Best of luck Kate!
www.tipperarygbn.org
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
No One Left Behind
Highlighting NTLP’s work in Social Inclusion
The Combat Poverty Agency defines social inclusion as “ensuring the marginalised and those living in poverty have greater
participation in decision making which affects their lives, allowing them to improve their living standards and their overall
wellbeing”.
I would go a step further here to highlight that social exclusion can be the result of low educational attainment or poor health
status as well as material deprivation.
With in excess of fifty staff employed by NTLP in seventeen separate programmes we are all either directly or indirectly
working with individuals, families and communities that are disadvantaged, to reduce social isolation, encourage participation
and enhance self and community efficacy. Add to this the 120 participants working in communities around the county on
the TÚS Programme, the 23 participants in our Community Employment Scheme and the 37 participants in the Rural Social
Programme and it becomes apparent that the vehicle for social inclusion activity in North Tipperary is NTLP. In this issue
we invite you read about the often challenging but always rewarding social inclusion activities, services and projects hosted
by NTLP and delivered by a dedicated staff team.
-Michelle Putti, Social Programmes Manager
Contents
Social Inclusion - What does that mean?
p.4
Overview of the Local and Community Development Programmme
p.5
Goal 1 – Inspiring Communities to Create Their Own Jobs
p.6
Goal 2 - Psychological Assessments
p.7
Goal 3 - Career Coaching In Thurles & Animating Kilcommon
p.8
Goal 4 - Roscrea Men’s Shed
p.9
ASCEND Domestic Abuse Service
p.10
Nenagh Camps – Sun and Fun!
p.11
Supporting Social Care for Children with Dyslexia
p.12
TÚS Work Placements Supporting Roscrea Tidy Towns
p.13
Home Care and Repair a Lifeline in Roscrea
p.14
Supporting Traveller Health, Across the County
p.14
Horses, Healthy Eating and Traveller Family Support!
p.15
What’s new with Roscrea Community-based Family Support
p.15
Waist High in Muck and Everyone Still Smiling!
p.16
Area Focus – NTLP supporting Kilcommon
p.18
Helping Tipperary to Reach Out to its’ Diaspora
p.20
/northtippleader
Rural Transport Programme
p.21
@ntlp2
NTLP Supporting Local Publishing
p.22
Putting North Tipperary’s Best Foot Forward – Slieve Felim
p.23
3
NTLP’s Magazine is produced by
the NTLP Editorial Team (Donna
Fanneran, Gearóid Fitzgibbon,
Catherine Conlon, Philomena
Keyes, Mary O’Dwyer) on behalf
of the NTLP Communications
Committee.
Editor: Gearóid Fitzgibbon
Chairman: James Finn
CEO: Michael Murray
Company Reg. No. 451166
Charity No. 17969
Registered Office:
2nd Floor, Friars Court,
Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Tel: 067 56676
Fax: 067 31220
Email: [email protected]
www.ntlp.ie
Northtipplp
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
What Does ‘Social
Inclusion’ Mean To Me?
Catherine
Conlon
Job Club Leader, Roscrea Job Club
The theme for this edition of
NTLP’s magazine is ‘Social
Inclusion.’ This is a term or buzz
word which is commonly used
these days to describe people
accessing services throughout the
country. For this article, I asked
myself ‘what does social inclusion
mean to me?
It provided little in the way of assistance
elderly parents, and you never truly had
with the article. I could have gone through
the opportunity to sit with someone
thousands of pages on the internet with
who is genuinely interested in you.
I thought long and hard about it. It
mind nearly everyone we meet in the Job
became annoying. “Social inclusion,”
“social exclusion”, I couldn’t quite get it
to fit! So I did what all internet savvy
people do these days: I looked it up on
Wikipedia. This is what I found: ‘Social
exclusion (also referred to as marginalisation) is a concept used in many parts
of the world to characterise contemporary forms of social disadvantage and
relegation to the fringe of society. It is a
term used widely in the United Kingdom
and Europe, and was first utilized in
France. It is used across disciplines
including
education,
sociolog y,
psychology, politics and economics (see
wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_inclusion).
A fairly long winded description of the
opposite of social inclusion!
still little or no satisfaction as to what
these terms mean in plain English. So
I decided to think about people whom
I know are socially excluded; which in a
way made me feel worse; because in my
Club is socially excluded in one way or
another, either by their living standards,
their level of education, where they live,
their addiction, their mental health. It
made me think of what the Job Club
provides to the town of Roscrea..
We meet you where you’re at, so it
doesn’t matter if you are deemed to live
We can help you find your skills and
talents and do it in a way that doesn’t
involve a lot of form filling or long
winded questionnaires. We hear your
voice over and over again throughout
our working day. As a service, we
react to these voices, and try to help
in whatever way we can. That to me is
‘social inclusion.’
So it doesn’t matter where or who you
are, if you need help, the Job Club is
always here to provide it, in our own
socially inclusive way.
in one of the worst housing estates in
town, or that you never progressed past
primary school; or that you are living
on welfare and you can barely afford
to pay your rent. All of these issues are
presented time and time again in the Job
Club. They are part of what we deal with.
It doesn’t matter that you can’t read; we
can help you with that. It doesn’t matter
that you never worked, but spent your
time caring for your children and your
4
Based in the NTLP Buildings,
New Line, Roscrea, you can reach
us on 0505 23379. Text Support is
available on 0879622421.
Facebook: roscreajobclub,
Twitter: @jobclubroscrea
roscreajobclub.wordpress.com
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
Overview of the Local &
Community Development
Programme (LCDP)
Michelle
Putti
Social Programmes Manager
The Local and Community Development Programme (LCDP) is a key element of the Department of
Community, Environment and Local Government’s approach to reducing consistent poverty in Ireland.
It is operated nationally by the Local Development Companies (NTLP in North Tipperary). Funding
for LCDP is administered by POBAL on behalf of the Department.
LCDP focuses on the following four goals, examples of each are given below:
GOAL 1:
GOAL 2:
Increase access to formal and informal educational,
recreational and cultural development activities
and resources - this goal aims to improve local
cooperation in providing lifelong learning opportunities and access to recreational and cultural
activities as a means of combating and addressing
educational inequality.
Promote awareness, knowledge and uptake of a
wide range of state-run, voluntary and community
services - this goal focuses on accessible and
appropriate services for individuals experiencing
social exclusion.
GOAL 3:
GOAL 4:
Increase people’s work readiness and employment
prospects - this goal aims to support people furthest
from the labour market. It targets geographic areas
of high unemployment and provides services to and
with communities not adequately served by other
public or private bodies.
Promote engagement with policy, practice and
decision making processes on matters affecting local
communities - this goal supports local communities
to link with policy-makers and service providers
about matters affecting them.
80% of the budget is directed to Goals 2 and 3. NTLP and each Local Development Company adapts the LCDP goals (see
above) into actions to support individuals and communities in North Tipperary. Actions are agreed each year, to help reduce
social exclusion and poverty in line with NTLP’s Social Inclusion Strategy.
The following are examples of LCDP actions being delivered in North Tipperary :
GOAL 1
Communities Creating Jobs Event
GOAL 3
Career Coaching for Job Seekers in the
Thurles area, and Work in Kilcommon
- Gearóid Fitzgibbon, Community
Development Officer
- Caroline Shanahan, Community
Development Officer
GOAL 4
Men’s Shed in Roscrea
GOAL 2
Psychological Assessments
- Sandra Smith, Community
Development Officer
- Breada Ryan, Community
Development Officer
5
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
GOAL 1: Inspiring
Communities to Create
their Own Jobs
Gearóid
Fitzgibbon
[email protected]
As people across Ireland
struggle with the recession,
there are inspiring examples
of communities in Tipperary
taking action to create local jobs
and regenerate their areas.
North Tipperary LEADER Partnership
invited volunteers, and would-be
entrepreneurs, to a learning and
networking event on Thursday evening
June 20th at LIT Tipperary, Thurles.
Over 70 people from across the
Local community dynamos pictured with Munster MEP Sean Kelly at the
Community Creating Jobs event. L-R: Noel Byrne (Chairperson of Drombane
Upperchurch Energy Team); Sean Kelly (Munster MEP), Mary Fogarty and
Maeve O’Hair (Loughmore Co-operative Village Shop and Tearooms) and
Con Harrington (member of Drombane Upperchurch Energy Team).
Community volunteers and MEP
Sean Kelly participating at one
of the group discussions at the
Community Creating Jobs event.
Facilitator Gearóid Fitzgibbon.
county spent the evening discussing
how locally owned enterprises
could respond to the needs of rural
communities and provide
much needed jobs.
The
home insulation scheme in Drombane
were shared by Noel Byrne. The
experience of developing Ireland’s
First Community-owned wind turbine
in Templederry was introduced by
John Fogarty while Davie Philip from
Ireland’s first “community-owned
farm” in Cloughjordan introduced
the concept of community supported
agriculture and how the model
could be used to support other local
“
event helped to highlight
opportunities for community
groups to create enterprises and
jobs and was an opportunity to
network and share information.”
Organised in partnership with
LIT (Thurles Campus) and the
Community and Voluntary
Association (CAVA), the
event was opened by national
broadcaster Duncan Stewart. Case
studies were presented from some
of the country’s leading examples
of social and community enterprise.
Mary Fogarty gave an inspiring
talk on setting up Ireland’s first
co-operative village shop and tearoom
in Loughmore. Lessons from Ireland’s
most successful Community-run
businesses. Pat Fleming from Clonmel
gave participants an overview of a new
national Communities Creating Jobs
network (www.ccjireland.com)
Networking and discussion followed
the Case Studies, on five topics:
Community Energy Conservation
Initiatives; Bio and Wind Energy;
Commu n it y Food In itiatives;
6
Co-operatives & Com mu n it y
O w nersh ip; a nd Com mu n it y
Financing.
The importance of
sharing information and learning for
successful projects was stressed by
event participants.
According to organiser Gearóid
Fitzgibbon, “The event helped highlight
opportunities for community groups to
create enterprises and jobs and was
an opportunity to network and share
information.”
The evening ended with a keynote
address by former GAA president and
Munster MEP Sean Kelly. According
to Kelly, even without the Troika, one
could say that Ireland had already lost
its sovereignty through its dependence
on foreign oil imports. If communities
could network and follow the inspiring
example of Loughmore, Templederry,
Drombane, or Cloughjordan, it could
help win back real independence for
Ireland. “The projects showcased
demonstrate the potential of local
voluntary groups to act as dynamic
drivers of the local economy. With the
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
proper support, such groups can coordinate
and stimulate local investment.”
What Is A Community Enterprise?
A community enterprise is a business that is owned and managed
by members of the community. People focused, but commercially
aware, these businesses make their money from selling goods and
services in the open market, and reinvest their profits back into
the business and the local community. They trade to tackle social
problems, improve communities, people’s life chances, or the
environment and when they profit, society profits.
Groups with community enterprise
ideas should apply to take part in LIT
Tipperary’s Community Enterprise START
Programme. This is being offered over 6
sessions to assist community entrepreneurs
develop their ideas and offer guidance
on ethos, structures, financing etc.
Application forms are available from www.
tippenterprise.wordpress.com along with
key points of these discussions and slides
from the event, or call Gearóid at NTLP on
085 7409023. email: [email protected]
Twitter: #tippjobs
Funded under Goal 1 of the local and community development
programme, this event was organised by north tipperary leader
partnership, in association with cava, the community and
voluntary association of north tipperary, supported by lit tipperary
(thurles campus), cultivate living and learning and the tipperary
green business network.
GOAL 2: Educational
Assessments
Breada
Ryan
[email protected]
The Board of North Tipperary
LEADER Partnership initiated a
pilot scheme in 2011 to address
the gap in service provision to
access educational assessments.
The Board was particularly concerned
about the long waiting lists for
assessments and was aware that the
need was particularly acute amongst
families who could not afford to fast
track assessments by paying for them
privately. In 2011 a pilot scheme
was funded to provide additional
psychological assessments specifically
to first year students. The scheme
was overseen by Local Community
Development Worker, Breada Ryan.
In September 2011, five Educational
Psychologists were engaged to deliver
thirty assessments to students
attending the thirteen Post Primary
Schools in North Tipperary.
The number of assessments allocated
to each school was pro-rated to the
numbers enrolled. Seventeen boys and
fifteen girls were assessed. Evaluation
of this scheme in early 2012 indicated
the following:
»»
2 students received a recommendation for SNA intervention.
»»
17 students received a recommendation for additional resource
teaching.
»»
31 students received recommendation for exemption from Irish
and/or European Language.
»»
2 students received a recommendation for SNA intervention
»»
»»
18 students received recommendation for exemption from Irish
and or/European Language.
32 students received recommendation for a Reader and 27 received
recommendation for a Speller as
reasonable accommodation at
State examinations.
»»
15 students received a recommendation for reasonable accommodation in State examinations
In 2012 following the success of the
pilot scheme in 2011, provision was
secured for forty eight assessments to
students from any class year subject to
meeting the NTLP criteria.
Evaluation indicated that of the forty
eight assessed:
»»
18 students received a recommendation for resource teaching hours.
7
Again in 2013, the Board has allocated
funding for 35 assessments and to date
13 assessments have been completed.
The following changes will be
implemented for 2014:
»»
Half of the NTLP allocation will
be available for parents to apply
directly to NTLP for inclusion in
the scheme subject to fulfilling
eligibility criteria
»»
The remaining half will be
allocated to schools directly.
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
GOAL 3: Career
Coaching for Job Seekers
in the Thurles Area
Caroline
Shanahan
[email protected]
Community Development Officer Caroline Shanahan (centre) pictured with two of the founder
members of the Mother Mountain Craft Group Edel Grace (left) and Hanna Van Aelst.
N TLP ’s C a reer Adv ice
Service provides support and
information to unemployed
individuals in their efforts
to gain employment or to
become self-employed. Caroline
Shanahan, Guidance Councillor
provides this services out of the
NTLP Thurles Office two days
per week.
As part of this service, you can access a
Career Coach for further support and
guidance in finding work. Two local
career coaches work with jobseekers
helping them overcome barriers and
set in motion steps that will lead to
reaching employment goals. The
services covers CV preparation,
interview skills, job seeking skills,
self-employment options and other
information to help with the job search.
If you would like more information
or to make an appointment please
contact Caroline at 087-7378724, email
[email protected] .
The Career Advice Service is funded
under the Local and Community
Development Programme.
LCDP work in Kilcommon:
Last November the Local Community
Development Team organised a
meeting in Kilcommon Community
Hall to look at local business opportunities. The meeting was well attended
and full of enthusiasm. As a result of
this get together several people got the
opportunity to meet and discuss their
ideas.
Crafters grouped together and set up
the Mother Mountain Craft Group
which has been funded by North
Tipperary LEADER Partnership
under the Local and Community
8
Development Programme. This
network aims to support and encourage
local businesses and crafts who wish to
build a vibrant, sustainable and diverse
community in the Mother Mountain
region.
Ten local individuals completed
business mentoring to help progress
and develop their business ideas.
Four people received funding under
LCDP’s Enterprise Support Action.
Earlier this year, seven women
completed a course in Food Hygiene
with a view to using their culinary
skills and pride in their community to
greet visitors with a hearty welcome.
Work is on-going under this goal with
future support planned for the area.
Kilcommon is open for business, a
warm welcome awaits.
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
GOAL 4: Men’s
Shed in Roscrea
Sandra
Smith
[email protected]
Spring 2013 saw the opening of the Roscrea Men’s Shed with support, advice and funding
from the Local Community Development Programme.
to over 20 men of all ages from diverse backgrounds. The
As the motto goes: “Men don’t talk face to face they talk
Shed is now a hive of activity producing signs, bird boxes,
shoulder to shoulder.” The shed has given a safe, secure
flower tubs, and benches. Continually improving, the
environment to those men experiencing social exclusion
“shed” itself really has become a “home from home” for this
through long term unemployment and rural isolation. It also
inspirational group. They have received financial support
promotes positive mental health.
Over the past six months the
men have transformed an empty
shell into a functional, warm and
welcoming venue. Not only can
“The shed itself really has
become a home from home
for this inspirational group.”
members relax and enjoy a cup of
from Tidy Towns, St Vincent de
Paul and the HSE. The local Lidl
store has supplied them with tools,
equipment, and most importantly
tea and biscuits on a regular basis.
The Men’s Shed is all about men taking a step forward to
tea, they can also share their knowledge and experiences and
broaden their skills, enhance their lives and make contribu-
work on projects to support the local community of Roscrea.
tions that have a positive impact on the local community.
As the months have progressed membership has increased
Roscrea Men’s shed is already well on the way on that journey.
Some of the activities at Roscrea Men’s Shed.
9
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
ASCEND - North
Tipperary Domestic
Abuse Service
ASCEND has assisted many
women over the years since its
establishment in 2000.
Services include one to one support,
a helpline, court accompaniment,
information and outreach. The service
is based out of Roscrea and is available
Court Accompaniment:
This service provides women with
support in accessing the court system
securing protection, safety and barring
orders.
Court Accompaniment
Worker: Kathleen Maher 087-9501299
Helpline Number: 0505-23999 Here
are some comments from women who
have used our services.
“Without the service there
would categorically be no peace
or future for me, no second
chance for a lot of women to
live and redirect their lives,
without the opportunity of
journeying with Ascend ”
“Words fail me, to describe
this wonderful service,
the support I got in my
court process combined
with totally professional
knowledge of the system,
non-judgemental, empathic
and the ability to challenge
me to the place of freedom
and empowerment where I
am today, heartfelt thanks”
- Service User
- Service User
“It means so much just to
get a text at times, you
feel really supported ”
- Service User
“Working with Ascend gave
me strength to see inside
myself that I had the strength
to break free from the hell
that was keeping me from
living a normal life”
- Service User
[email protected]
Contact Details
New Line, Roscrea,
Co. Tipperary.
Office Number: 0505-23379.
e-mail: [email protected]
throughout North Tipperary including
Nenagh and Thurles. Confidential
Rabiya
Ali
MOVE (Men Overcoming
Violence)
This is a structured group work
programme for men who are or have
been violent in an intimate relationship. The programme helps men face
up to the reality of their violence, and
is committed to working towards
the safety of women and children
by helping violent men to take the
necessary steps to change their
behaviour. A service is also provided
to women, whose partner is attending
the MOVE programme.
10
Coordinator:
Rabiya Ali
086-8283399:
Outreach Workers:
Róisín O’Connor.
Fiona Pryle
086-8576719
Court Accompaniment Worker:
Kathleen Maher
087-9501299
Administrator/Information
Officer: Bernadette Lawless
Facebook:
http://bit.ly/ascenddomesticabusesupport
I n format ion,
Out reach
a nd
Telephone Support - confidential
listening and information service
phone number:
0505-23999
ADAPT Services
24 Hour Helpline:
1800 200 504
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence is a crime under the Domestic Violence Act 1996. Domestic violence is a person exercising power and
control over their partner or spouse. It is a pattern of coercive behaviour that uses a variety of tactics that can include
physical, sexual, emotional, financial and social abuse. Many abuse tactics are subtle and the abuse is not always physical.
These are some indicators to identify domestic violence:
»» Are you afraid of your partner?
»» Do you walk on eggshells,
rehearsing what you will say?
»» Does your partner emotionally abuse
you (insults, belittling comments,
-ignoring you, acting sulky or angry
when you initiate an action or idea)?
»» Does your partner tell you who
you may be friends with, how you
should dress, or try to control other
elements of your life or relationship?
»» Is your partner physically
violent to you or others, even
if it is just grabbing or pushing
to get his own way?
Nenagh Camps –
Sun and Fun!
Each year NTLP Homework
Club organises summer camps
for over two weeks for children
aged seven to ten years in the
Nenagh area.
»» Is he angry and threatening to the
extent that you have changed your
life so as not to “provoke” him?
»» Does your partner make
all the financial decisions
without consulting you?
»» Have you given up important
activities or people in your life
in order to keep him happy?
Mary
Boyd Ryan
[email protected]
to confine all activities to indoor
venues this year. “Thank God you
are indoors”, said Ann, Saoirse’s mum,
“They never would survive outside in
this heat!”
The children painted, did clay crafts,
face painting and made robots from
recycled materials. They also went
bowling, swimming and enjoyed
The main purpose of the summer
good, old-fashioned sport’s day games!
camps is to help the children develop
The enjoyment was significantly
educationally and socially. Attendance
increased at the sight of the leaders
is subject to certain criteria as the
also competing in the three-legged
camp expenses are greatly subsidised
and sack races!
by NTLP LCDP funding. Children are
provided with the time, equipment
Attended by 38 children, the camps
and space to play in a safe, supervised
were held in the Nenagh New Institute,
environment.
the Rock and Bowl, Portlaoise and
Roscrea Leisure Centre.
This year the camps were held from
the 8th to the 18th July – two of the
Fur ther
hottest weeks of the famous summer
information
on
the
Afterschools/Homework Club for
of 2013. Some of the activities were
seven to ten year olds is available from
“rained off” last year, so it was decided
Mary on 087-7653216.
11
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
Support Social
Care for Children
with Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a condition
widely known but not always
understood, and frequently left
to the efforts of voluntary groups
or individual parents to address.
North Tipperary Dyslexia Support
Group was established in 2004 by
concerned parents of children with
Dyslexia. This group afforded parents
an opportunity to share problems and
seek common solutions. The North
Tipperary Dyslexia Support Group
applied for help from the Rural Social
Scheme and as a result Michelle
Flannery commenced working with
the group. Much has been achieved
David
Kyne
[email protected]
»» Running the help line;
»» Organising ssupport group sessions
and training courses;
»» Fund raising;
»» Advertising the services of the group
»» Liaising with Special Education
Needs Organiser.
This relatively small organisation
provides critical support to parents
and students and a number of concrete
Avril Mounsey and Michelle
Flannery of North Tipperary
Dyslexia Support Group
Michelle Flannery, support
worker with North Tipperary
Dyslexia Support Group.
since then with the continuing input of
an active voluntary committee. These
are some of the activities Michelle is
involved in:
»» Coordinating tutorials each week
during school term in Puckane N.S.
and Dromkeenan N.S. catering for
up to 50 children ranging in age from
seven to fourteen years of age.
outputs have been generated. Stigma
on the children has been lessened;
self-esteem and confidence have
increased while stress on parents
has lessened. The success is in no
small part due to the excellent match
between the skills and interests of
the RSS participant and the needs of
the group. If you would like further
information on the North Tipperary
Dyslexia Support Group, please contact
Michelle Flannery at 087 9833843.
12
The following are some quotes
from students and parents of North
Tipperary Dyslexia Support Group:
“As a result of the sessions I find it easier
in school.”
“I would prefer to come here every
evening than go to school.”
“Each time the school term started, his
shoulders would slouch. He’d literally
go pale because it was stressful. From
the time we set up the support group,
he suddenly started walking straight
all the time. It wasn’t that there weren’t
things at school that weren’t still
difficult, but he began to see that there
was more to life – and also that there
was help there for him. He has great
belief in himself now which is really,
really great.”
“Learning to read and write is critical
to progress in the educational
system, to the development of
self-esteem and ultimately to
quality of life and well-being.
Individuals who experience
difficulties in acquiring literacy
skills are very likely to experience
difficulties in other aspects of life
and learning as a consequence
of the literacy problems. These
individuals are also at significant
risk of failing at school early and
under achieving in vocational and
occupational areas.”
Report of the Taskforce on Dyslexia
(2001) p.4.
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
TÚS Work Placements
Support Roscrea
Tidy Towns
John
Bonfield
[email protected]
Some of the work completed by TÚS around Roscrea includes
In April the TÚS Community Work Scheme placed four
painting of all fences around the town and roundabouts;
workers with the Roscrea Tidy Towns. This project has been
maintaining, weeding, developing of shrub and flower beds,
a great success to date.
walkways, housing estates and river walks; Litter picks,
These quality work placements have benefitted both the
sweeping and upkeeps of streets and footpaths around the
participants and community group.
town centre.
Feedback from the TÚS Participants:
Roscrea Tidy Towns Committee is very happy with their
TÚS workers and their range of skills and experience.
“It is great to get involved in the community and be
part of a strong team.”
Roscrea is a proud Heritage Town. TÚS and the Tidy Towns
Committee are making great strides together to help enhance
and make the town even more picturesque!
“It is good to be part of a project where your work
is appreciated and you can see how it is improving
the local community.”
Overall the relationship between the Host Community
and the TÚS Participants is extremely good. The strong
team which will make the goals of the Roscrea Tidy Towns
Committee a lot easier to achieve.
L-R Alexander Korol, Darren Nevin, Damien Keeshan and Rimas Bartninkas.
13
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
Home Maintenance
a Lifeline for Elderly in Roscrea
Mary
Spillane
[email protected]
In January of 2012 a Care and
Repair initiative started up in
Roscrea due to requests coming
to the Community Employment
(CE) Supervisor from Health
Care Professionals. The results
of this interagency partnership
has benefited some of the most
vulnerable and voiceless people
in Roscrea and the surrounding
areas.
Poor living conditions can affect
people’s physical and mental wellness.
Sometimes, basic maintenance or
repair work on homes and gardens is
not carried out due to age, incapacity or
disability. In some circumstances, this
neighbours, or friends to carry out the
can result in state care services being
tasks identified. Where clients have no
withdrawn due to health and safety
means to pay for the work (most cases),
concerns. In these cases individuals
healthcare workers making the referral,
can lose their independence, with
also request financial assistance from
nursing home care often being the only
local charities, most significantly the
option left to them.
St Vincent De Paul.
To date 24 families have accessed this
Following completion of the work,
service. The CE Maintenance Team of 3
NTLP staff discuss plans for ongoing
men carry out the work which consists
upkeep and care with healthcare
of once-off repair and maintenance.
professionals and family members.
Eligibility criteria apply to this sevice,
including establishing the need for
the work, as well as establishing that
the individual does not have family,
Supporting
Traveller Health
The Primary Healthcare Project
delivers
»» The Trainee Community Health
within the community in Roscrea,
Aid, Suicide Prevention and Health
Ba l linga rr y
Promotion modules.
Information campaigns were run with
involved. Well Done!!
[email protected]
Workers in Thurles completed First
Borrisoka ne.
testament to the teamwork of all
Imelda
Reidy
health promotion work
a nd
The success of this initiative is
delivered by the VEC and these
proved very popular.
»» Local men also became involved
in the Tipperary Horse Owners
»» A HETAC Level 6 special purpose
Association. This aims to promote
award in Health Advocacy and
responsible horse ownership and to
in the sun.
Traveller Community Development
engage with legislators around more
has been approved by Limerick
functional, owner friendly bye-laws.
The project develops its own resources
Institute of Technology and the
to ensure that information provided
trainees will be completing this in
is culturally appropriate and literacy
the next 12 months.
the community which focused on
mental health, asthma and taking care
friendly. Other activities within the
programme include:
»» A group of Traveller men in Roscrea
attended communications classes
14
»» The Borrisokane Women’s Group
continued with cookery and crafts
and had a fantastic family day out in
Salthill over the summer.
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
Horses, Healthy Eating and
Traveller Family Support!
Anne
Neville
[email protected]
This article is an insight into the
work being carried out by the
Family Support Worker.
The Family Support Worker works
with a caseload of sixteen Traveller
families from across the county area.
Work to support these families involves
provision of support with accommodation, parenting, budgeting, liaison with
schools and other statutory services.
The Family Support Worker is
currently working with the Traveller
Horse Owners Association of
Tipperary which was founded by a
group of Traveller men under the
mentorship of the South Tipperary
Traveller Men’s Group. The aim of
the project is to open a dialogue with
both County Councils for the future of
horse ownership in Tipperary before
both county councils amalgamate
next year. It is hoped that a consultation process will include Traveller men
from South and North Tipperary.
The Association will provide advice
on horse care and also the wellbeing
of the owners. This Association is
in its infancy and it is hoped that it
will capture the imagination of all
Traveller men in Tipperary.
A healthy eating programme which
uses the ‘Cook It’ course is being
delivered to many families across
the County. It gives families ideas
on food preparation and how to plan
What’s New? Community Based
Family Support in Roscrea
a healthy eating at a low cost. This
also shows families how to provide a
good standard of care to the family,
enhancing health and wellbeing, with
the odd treat for the family. I also help
children in education by supporting
the family to encourage them to attend
school and complete their education.
A vital part of Family Support is to
provide information on topics like
suicide or bereavement and helpful
links to counselling services in the
county.
Family Support works closely with the
County Council on housing issues.
You can contact me, Anne Neville on
087 224 0577.
Aideen
Connolly
[email protected]
Family Support
Parent and Toddler Group
Parenting
The Community Based Family Support
Copper Beech Parent and Toddler
Referrals are now being taken for a
Project is growing with 19 families
taking up the services since February
and 16 families receiving one to one
support in Roscrea. People access
the service through referral from the
Social Work Department, local GP’s,
North Tipperary County Council, as
well as through self-referrals.
Group resumed in mid September
in the Community House on Copper
Beech Estate, Roscrea, and runs from
Parenting course. Please send name
and number to Aideen Connolly,
Family Support Worker, Roscrea,
11am-12.30pm, every Wednesday,
Phone 087 6840551.
during the school term. It is a safe
Date to be confirmed.
space for parents with young children
to have a free cup of coffee /tea and
chat with other parents. It affords the
toddlers a chance to play and develop
their social skills. Guest speakers are
occasionally invited.
15
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
Waist High in Muck
and Everyone
Still Smiling!!
In September, project staff,
the Young Men’s Group and
Young Women’s Group travelled
to Kenmare, Co. Kerry for a
weekend in Eclipse Residential
Centre.
This is not your average outdoor
pursuits centre. Athos, the owner of
Donna
Fanneran
[email protected]
in our arms and got ‘flattened’ more
around. However, with the support of
times than I can remember. We did all
their team, a little bit of courage and
this through lashing rain and soaked
self belief they succeeded.
clothes. Before we started the assault
course, some of the group did not think
they would be able to complete the
course. If a 9 foot wall is standing in
front of you, you’re most likely to turn
the Eclipse Centre, believes
in challenging yourself so
that every ounce of strength
and resilience surfaces from
somewhere deep within. As
part of an assault course, we
ran through waist high lakes
of muck, through underground
tunnels; we got a team of 10
people over 9 foot walls; we
For the Youth Project Team, our
concern is Young People and supporting
Young People to get over such barriers
and exploring ways around them,
whatever the barrier - 9 foot walls, or
“Social Inclusion is about
including everybody in society
and making sure nobody gets
left behind. It is about breaking
down barriers and getting
through challenges that present
themselves throughout life.”
- Donna Fanneran
swung out of bars and ropes
fear of underground tunnels,
lack of confidence, problems
in school, addiction. Without
judgement, the youth team
encourages, supports and
challenges young people to find
their strengths so that nobody
gets left behind or left out, left
out of an activity, a sports club,
school, community, work, life
etc...
until there was no feeling left
Teamwork and determination at its best Young People
from Roscrea Youth Project (RAY) prepare to take on the
Eclipse Centre Assault course in Kenmare Co Kerry.
16
Young people from Roscrea youth
project (RAY) overcome obstacles
and challenges by using the old
reliable approach: teamwork
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
Kickback youth cafÉ
The KickBack Youth Café follows
an open-door policy...It is open to
All Young People. The Youth Project
team is informed by the voice and
needs of young people themselves.
The Kickback Cafe Management
Group guides activities within the
Cafe. Our “Gig Nights” have seen
some outstanding talent, and some of
our local bands got the opportunity
to perform as a supporting act to
Tutor Philip Quinn and Stephen Mulhall put finishing
touches on the Youth Café Garden
‘Mundy’ during the recent ‘Ros Cre Beo’
Festival.
Comhairle na nÓg:
North Tipperary Comhairle na nÓg
has been working on the theme of
Social Inclusion for the past two years.
Two Young People from the Roscrea
Youth Café have been representing
Roscrea over the past two years,
and have worked on this theme. A
Google Map of North Tipperary
Sports and Recreation facilities was
developed to highlight all facilities
and activities available to all young
people within the county. This was
highlighted as many young people
in North Tipperary expressed a need
for mapping of services available.
Another issue highlighted from a
social inclusion point of view was the
need for activities and events that were
accessible to all young people. The
Comhairle developed Social Inclusion
Guidelines for planning events for
young people that were socially
inclusive. They highlighted the
importance of not excluding persons
because of their culture, ability, where
they live, or their ethnic origins. It is
important for events to be inclusive
and welcoming to all.
Mundy & Co.
PHOTO 17C
Youth Information Advisory Group, members of Comhairle na
nOg including Fintan Dwyer from Roscrea Youth Project at Youth
Information Advisory Group discussion on Bunreacht na hEireann.
www.bit.ly/tippyouthmap
Follow this link to see what facilities and activities are available to all young people in Tipperary.
17
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
NTLP Supporting a
Rural Community
Joe
Saunders
Area Focus - Kilcommon
As the millennium bells tolled
thirteen years ago, Kilcommon Post
Office was getting ready to close its
doors for good.
Three shops followed as well as a pub
and a creamery - vital organs of the
village being ripped out. Decay and
decline seemed certain to follow.
Yet, today, thanks to formidable local
spirit and community development
supports from NTLP, Kilcommon is
fighting back.
Mary O’Dwyer (RSS Supervisor) and local RSS participant
Michael Griffith survey the ongoing work!
A new development plan facilitated by
Kilcommon Community Council lays
out a vision that focuses on the area’s
strengths in people, environment and
spiritual tradition.
Tom McGrath, Chairman of KCC, said
the village is now looking forward,
with several civic works currently in
progress,
a focus and a welcome point for visitors.
and heading straight home after their
This will join up the village and the
walk.”
well-known Prayer Garden with the
trail head for the Pilgrim Walk and
other routes in the area.
The vision of the committee is nothing
less than the revitalisation of their own
area and the sustaining of the life of the
“Visitors will be able to learn more
community. Many challenges remain
about the area and get a cup of tea,
but thanks to the skilful way in which
the community have used the available
supports, there is new hope.
The arrival of the Rural Social Scheme
in 2005 prompted new thinking about
how the community could help itself
and research was undertaken into the
creation of a Pilgrim Trail and the
preservation of traditional Mass Paths.
Local volunteer Noel McMahon ensuring that the site is safe and secure.
When the RSS came, under the
umbrella of the newly created North
Tipperary LEADER Partnership in
“We are reconfiguring the village square
and extending the hall so as to provide
some crafts and local produce instead
of merely finding their own way about
18
2009, this gave the community access
to the LEADER Programme and the
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
Local Community Development
Kilcommon has been recently chosen
demonstrates the benefits of the
Programme.
as North Tipperary’s base for the
integrated approach taken by NTLP.
Through these programmes, NTLP
were able to put staff on the ground
National Pilgrims Trail Day in 2014.
The ensuing vitality is also beginning
The company provides social inclusion
supports through the Employment
in Kilcommon and work
and Enterprise Worker. Rural
in cooperation with the
Social Scheme and Rural Transport
community. Tangible results
Programme also have a strong
have followed – rebuilding
presence on the ground.
of bridges on the Pilgrim
NTLP CEO Michael Murray,
Trail, improvement works
outlined the rationale behind their
in the Prayer Garden, village
l a nd s c api ng ,
outlook:
enter pr i s e
and employment assistance
including
support
for
“A whole community
a
local craft group. Now, the
extension and redevelopment
of the Community Hall and
Illustrative view of streetscape improvements,
its external area will provide a
showing new footpaths, defined parking
Hub and focal point for locals
bays and new public square
and visitor alike.
Later phases of the village
plan include the development of new
themed walks focussing on both the
spiritual and ecological richness of the
wider area as well as innovative plans
to become carbon neutral.
to act as a magnet for newcomers
who work in the craft and creative
industries and the Mother Mountain
Craft Group are becoming both a
brand and a strong support network
As a result of the success of the
Prayer Garden and the Pilgrim Trail,
for craft workers in the area.
T he
K i lcom mon
ex per ience
approach is undoubtedly the
best way forward for rural
communities experiencing
demographic decline and
withdrawal of services. Social
inclusion, social enterprise,
sustainability and business
development are all essential
ingredients for renewal. As
long as communities are
prepared to work on the
ground for their own survival,
NTLP will try to support
them as work as possible.”
Local resident Morgan Burke sizing up the work in progress
19
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
Helping Tipperary Reach
out to its Diaspora
Bernadette
Quinlan
[email protected]
Winter is settling in beautifully
in North Tipperary and over one
hundred Ireland Reaching Out
trainees are preparing to complete
the final modules in the first North
Tipperary TRACING - My People, My
Place, My Heritage, Ireland Reaching
Out training programme.
Acquisition and Animation Measure
The training is designed to help local
Horse & Jockey Hotel, Thurles and
communities to get the most out of
Ireland Reaching Out, also known as
“Ireland XO – The National Reverse
Genealogy Project” and assist in the
design and development of social
inclusion and community tourism
initiatives which include the diaspora.
To date, trainees from thirty parishes
throughout North Tipperary have
completed introductory modules on
Ireland Reaching Out, Genealogy,
Folklore, Oral History, Natural
Heritage and the Landscapes of North
Tipperary. The training, which is
managed by North Tipperary LEADER
Partnership, is funded under the Skills
of the Rural Development Programme.
The
even i ng
t ra i n i ng
runs
concurrently from two venues: the
the Abbey Court Hotel, Nenagh, on
diaspora. It provides the diaspora with
a portal to connect with their ancestral
parishes and communities. Ireland
XO is in its early stage of development
but already everybody senses its vast
potential and is excited and committed
to be part of its future development in
North Tipperary”
The North Tipperary training
one evening per week.
concludes in November with a
According to Bernadette Quinlan,
Achievement to the members of over
Ireland XO Animator at NTLP ‘’The
participants in the North Tipperary
training initiative are an exceptional
group of people, passionate about
their local heritage, family histories
and community. Ireland Reaching
Out offers a valuable toolkit. It helps
individuals, parishes and communities
engage with the untapped social
and cultural resource of their own
special presentation of Certificates of
thirty parishes who have participated
in this introductory training. North
Tipperary LEADER Partnership will
host this special event with Ireland
Reaching Out in association with the
Shannon Region Steering Committee.
It will take place at the Abbey Court
Hotel. For further information
email Bernadette Quinlan :
[email protected]
The Templemore Ireland Reaching Out volunteer
team working hard on uploading information on
their parish to the Ireland XO Website as part
of the Landscapes of North Tipperary Training
module at the Horse & Jockey Conference Centre.
Cynthia O’Connor and Henry Healy, who
presented the training session in Genealogy and
Ireland XO development at the Abbey Court
Hotel, pictured with the dynamic Borrisokane,
Terryglass and Kilbarron trainee volunteers.
20
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
Tim Lee, Parish Liaison for Bournea Parish, Michael
Ireland Reaching Out trainees based at the Horse &
Jockey venue, pictured on a special field trip to the
Museum of Rural Heritage, Cormacstown, Holycross,
as part of the ‘Natural Heritage of North Tipperary’
presented by educationalist Seamus Duggan.
Sheedy, Ireland XO Volunteer, Bournea Parish chatting
with John Tierney, Director, Historic Graves Project as
part of the Ireland XO training in North Tipperary.
Rural Transport
Programme
Anthony
Moroney
[email protected]
North Tipperary Rural Transport
and engaging with other people and
If you would like further information
Programme managed by NTLP
to participating in other activities
on the Rural Transport Programme
continues to provide transport to those
within their broader communities.
within North Tipperary, please
that either have no access to private
Thankfully such reductions are not
contact either
or public transport and to those where
commercial transport is prohibitively
expensive to use. Our latest figures
show approximately 15,000 passenger
journeys for the first 6 months of the
year which compares favourably to
figures for 2012 despite a reduction in
funding for 2013 compared to 2012.
Many of our customers were
concerned about a possible reduction
in service when the recent restructuring proposals for the RTP nationally
were released during the year. Many
expressed the view that the Rural
Transport Service was their one
constant link to socially meeting
RTP picking up Passengers
in Kilcommon Village
envisaged by the NTA and Minister
for Transport under the new proposed
structures.
21
Louise Duddy,
Rural Transport Programme
Co-Ordinator,
Tel 067-27088 or 087-9613580 ,
email [email protected]
or Anthony Moroney,
Rural Tranport Administrator
Tel 087-9159791,
email [email protected] .
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
NTLP Supporting
Local Publishing
North Tipperar y LEA DER
Partnership, through the Rural
D e ve l o p m e nt
Programme
2007-2013, has supported a wide
range of publications in the region
over the last five years. The size of
our library is growing! It currently
stands at 15. Predominantly
historical, the books range in
theme from sporting to cookery
and photographic/pictorial records.
A variety of authors have approached
NTLP to support them in the
publication of their local passions.
These authors are enthusiasts who
have embraced a topic close to their
hearts. Fascinating and colloquial
histories would have been lost were it
not for the dedication of these writers
and the support of NTLP.
Trisha
Purcell
to Ireland, Katherine Adler, was a guest
speaker at the launch of this book in
Roscrea on the 21st October. Another
publication supported is the Lorrha
Miscellany, by Seamus J. King.
We are interviewing some local authors,
to give some insight into their passion,
the first of which is Seamus J. King,
who wrote The Lorrah Miscellany.
Interview with Seamus J King
Seamus J. King is a native of
Ballymacegan, Lorrha, Nenagh, Co.
Tipperary, and currently lives at
Cashel, Co. Tipperary. It is evident in
conversation with Seamus that he is
passionate about writing, hurling and
his native parish, Lorrah/Rathcabbin
in Co. Tipperary.
“I rise early in the morning and read the
Irish Times at breakfast. Then its five
or six hours at the computer writing. I
publish on my website.”
“The first article I had published was for
the Irish Press in 1966. I’d spent three
weeks bird watching in Heligoland,
a small and unique Island off the
German Coast. Another early key
publication was Lothra agus Doire
1884-1984 Lomaint agus Peil.”
Some of these publications are being
read far and wide. In the year of the
Gathering 2013, we have supported
one particular publication, a local
history, entitled From Roscrea to New
Guinea which is making waves across
the ocean. The Australian Ambassador
The shining character of Tom Duffy,
profiled in the book, was a pleasure for
Seamus to write about due to his wit
and rogue.
According to Seamus, it is essential to
record local histories from those whom
are still willing and able to tell the tales,
like the Lorrah-Rathcabbin Hurling
team of 1948. Five of the team are still
22
alive and in their 90’s and Seamus is
busy recording their vivid and clear
memories.
“In The Lorrah Miscellany, Martin
O’Meara, is a standout character. He
came from the parish I originated
from. I felt that O’Meara had not been
properly honoured, and the double
standard that existed for those who
fought with the English Army needed
to be corrected. Writing the article
about O’Meara, as part of the book,
was my way of doing this. Now the
Martin O’Meara story has been told.
Its a story of courage, bravery and
great hardship with a pervading sense
of aloneness and being lost.
I’m torn between proofing my own
work and using an outside voice. As
the author you will read what you
think should be there rather than what
is. For hurling articles and publications, Seamus O’Doherty helps with
potential factual mistakes - he’s an
eagle eye for errors.
Two of my favourite, most inspiring
books are Papillon by Henri Charrière
published in 1969, and The Day of the
Jackal by Frederick Forsythe published
in 1971. Papillion is fictional yet
based on a true story and describes
the experiences of a French convict
wrongly convicted of murder and
sentenced to a life of hard labour on
Devil’s Island. It’s a remarkable story
of survival and the resilience of the
human spirit. The Day of the Jackal
is fictional and centred around the
assassination of Charles de Gaulle, the
President of France. It’s an excellent
example of creative historical fiction.”
All of Seamus’ work is available on his
website www.seamusjking.ie.
Changing Tipperary • Issue 3 Winter 2013
Putting North Tipperary’s
Best Foot Forward
Sarah
Fleming
[email protected]
NTLP hosted three ‘Discover Slieve
renovated Dail Bar. The second walk
N TLP
Felim’ evening walks in July/August
was the Ballyhourigan Loop, and
maintenance the Slieve Felim Way
2013. These walks were a follow on
back to Ryan’s of Killoscully, made
with assistance from the Rural Social
from the “Discover Slieve Felim” event
famous by Pat Shortt and the TV
Scheme. There are also three new
held in Newport Hall on July 17th 2013.
series ‘Killinaskully’. Our final walk
mapboards, in Murroe, Toor and
This event saw a new steering group
was Knockanroe Loop Walk with
Silvermines, funded by NTLP, as well
elected, with the aim of developing the
sandwiches served in Hickey’s of
as signage along the route.
tourism potential of the Slieve Felim
Silvermines.
ca rries
out
ongoi ng
With support from NTLP, the new
area. For more information see www.
Steering Group will be working to
slievefelim.wordpress.com.
develop amenities and encourage
The Slieve Felim Way is a 44km
tourism in this beautiful part of North
walking route extending from the
Tipperary over the coming years. This
former mining village of Silvermines
will involve local community groups,
to the village of Murroe in County
outdoor clubs and tourism business
Limerick, via Keeper Hill (694m) and
owners.
Slieve Felim (422m).
For more information, please contact:
The purpose of the evening walks
was to give a taster of the Slieve Felim
Way. The walks covered a distance
of between 5 and 10 kilometers
with tea and sandwiches gratefully
Sarah Fleming
A mix of people took part in the walks,
(37 on the final night!) curious to find
out more about the Slieve Felims and
Project Officer, North Tipperary
LEADER Partnership
067 56676/34900
received at the journeys end. The first
the local area. Many thanks to Maura
Mobile: 087 7390599
walk was from Tooreenbrien Bridge
Bowe from Aonach Ar Suil, who kept
Email: [email protected]
to Toor, finishing in the recently
us all safe and got us home in time!
Photo: RSS particpants Eamon Quinlan and Jimmy Kennedy showing off a newly upgraded bridge
on the Slieve Felim Way. Pictured with RSS Supervisor David Kyne, RDP Project Officer Sarah
Fleming, and Eamon O’Toole and Tom Seavers of the Slieve Felim Tourism Co-Operative
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