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Spreading Joy at the Carlow Older Persons Forum Christmas Party

The Woodford Dolmen Hotel was alive with festive cheer on a crisp Tuesday morning, December 10th, as Carlow County Development Partnership (CCDP) and the Carlow Older Persons Forum (COPF) hosted their annual Christmas Party. This cherished event brought together older people from across County Carlow for a heartwarming celebration of community, connection, and Christmas spirit.

Adding to the excitement, KCLR provided a live broadcast from the foyer, sharing the joy of the event with listeners across the region.

Inspiring Words and Heartfelt Music

The morning’s program featured a lineup of distinguished speakers who shared messages of support and celebration:

  • TD Jennifer Murnane O’Connor highlighted the importance of unity and caring for our older generations.
  • Cathaoirleach Fergal Browne praised the event’s role in strengthening community ties.
  • Niamh Murphy from Care and Repair spoke about the vital work being done to support older people in staying safe and independent in their homes.
  • Chief Superintendent Anthony Farrell emphasised the importance of community safety and partnership.
  • COPF Chairperson Joe Butler expressed heartfelt gratitude for the contributions of all attendees and supporters.

The atmosphere in the main room was truly magical, thanks to Kevin Byrne, whose musical performance filled the air with holiday joy, and the talented CCDP choir, whose songs uplifted everyone in attendance.

No Christmas celebration would be complete without gifts! Thoughtfully prepared Christmas bags were distributed to all in attendance, adding a touch of holiday magic to the day.

The annual Christmas Party is more than just a festive gathering—it’s a celebration of the invaluable contributions of older people to the Carlow community. This year’s event was a shining example of how shared moments of joy and connection can bring people together.

From the inspiring speeches to the beautiful music and the tangible sense of community, the morning was filled with laughter, smiles, and goodwill. Everyone left with warm memories and a little extra holiday cheer to carry them through the season.

To the organisers, speakers, performers, and attendees: thank you for making the day so special. Here’s to another year of community and connection in Carlow!

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Job Vacancy

 

LEADER Programme 2023-2027

Co-Ordinator Full time position

Development Officer Part time position 2 and a half days  

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Located: Carlow Town and remote working where appropriate

Salary commensurate with experience

 

Job Purpose: This is an excellent opportunity to join Carlow County Development Partnership (CCDP) in the key roles of LEADER Programme Co-Ordinator and Development Officer.  Joining a high performing team and reporting to the CEO, the purpose of these roles is to roll out the 2023-2027 LEADER Progamme in Carlow.

 

Major Areas of Responsibility

  • Deliver an effective community engagement and animation strategy.
  • Strategic management of a community project portfolio
  • Ensure up to date understanding of the LEADER Programme 2023-2027 Operating Rules and amendments.

 

Experience in one or more of the following areas will be required:

  • Rural Development
  • Project Management
  • Animation and engagement

Skills Required:

  • Working with community groups.
  • Managing a portfolio of projects,
  • Detailed administration work and file management,
  • Delivering results within a compliance framework,
  • Delivering results within short deadlines,
  • Showing initiative and problem-solving skills.

Application Process:

Interested candidates are required to send their Curriculum Vitae with covering letter by e-mail to eharvey@carlowdevelopment.ie on or before 5pm on Wednesday 17th April 2024.  Full role profile can be requested by email to eharvey@carlowdevelopment.ie

All applications received will be acknowledged.   Shortlisting will apply. Canvasing will disqualify.  Carlow Development Partnership is an equal opportunities employer.

 

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RSS Recruitment

 

The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is a community-based employment scheme designed to provide an income support to low-income farmers.

The scheme matches the skillset of participants with the needs of community voluntary groups. 

To qualify you need to be:

  • Actively farming one hectare of land.
  • Have an active herd or flock number.
  • Making a basic single farm payment application.
  • Be in receipt of a qualifying means tested Social Welfare payment such as Farm Assist, Jobseekers Allowance or Disability Allowance.
  • A Spouse/Partner, Daughter/Son, or Brother/Sister of an active farmer, who has a qualifying Social Welfare payment, may qualify for the scheme.

 

For more information 

Contact :

Niamh Murphy – RSS Co Ordinator

Phone : 0860418554

Email : nmurphy@carlowdevelopment.ie

 

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Carlow Grid Study Findings

Venue: Online event
Date & Time: Thursday 7th November 3pm – 4.30pm
Register here: https://buytickets.at/southeastenergyagency/1036578GDPR: Please note this workshop will be recorded.______________________________________

In this event, Mullan Grid Consulting and BioXL will share the findings of the study carried out into grid availability in county Carlow. In order to develop a renewable energy project, there must be capacity in the electricity grid to take the power you produce. A study was recently carried out to determine where the greatest opportunity for community renewable energy may be. Mullan Grid Consulting is an electrical engineering consultancy specialising in the grid connection and electrical design of renewable generators. Mullan Grid compiled the Grid Study that will be discussed.

The workshop will look at the various steps and considerations a community must take in the development of a renewable energy project. This session will be presented by Tom Bruton of BioXL, an energy consultancy with expertise in renewable energy.

This workshop will:

  • Outline the findings of the Carlow Grid Study carried out into grid availability in county Carlow
  • Outline the renewable energy potential in county Carlow
  • Provide guidance for community groups interested in developing a renewable energy project in the local community
  • Provide greater detail on the steps and barriers you should look out for when developing a community led solar or wind project

AGENDA:

Welcome and Intro

  • Rationale for Community-led Renewables Development & Working with Carlow Communities

Policy context

  • RESS updates and SEAI Community Enabling Framework
  • What is Citizen Energy Community and Renewable Energy Community?

Carlow Area Grid access

  • Policy on Grid for Community Projects
  • Overview of Carlow Network
  • Results of Grid Study
  • Recommended steps for Community

Development Roadmap

  • Typical Development Steps, Timeline and Expenditure for Wind and Solar projects
  • Feasibility Screening
  • Planning Studies and Planning Process
  • Community Legal Entity Options
  • Geographical Link and Remit

Q&A Discussions

Event Close

________________________

*Prior registration is required in order to attend the event.

Please note that this event will be recorded.

Please contact events@southeastenergy.ie for further details

  

Fuair an tionscnamh seo fóir-dheontas ó Coiste um Fhorbairt Pobail Aituil Cheatharlach,  Clár Forbartha Tuaithe atá maoinithe ag Rialtas na hÉireann faoi Chlár Forbartha Tuaithe Éireann 2014-2022 agus ag Ciste Talamhaíochta na hEorpa d’Fhorbairt Tuaithe: infheistiú na hEorpa i Limistéir Tuaithe.

 

This project received grant aid from Carlow Local Community Development Committee under the Rural Development Programme Ireland 2014-2022 which is financed by the Irish Government and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in Rural Areas.

 

 

 

 

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Mensana Fest 2023

We are delighted to be supporting this weekends Mensana Fest 2023, Carlow’s Mental Health Festival.  The list of events are on the brochure below and check on Carlow Mental Health Association’s website and social media for updates.

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Positive Aging Week

Carlow Older Persons Forum invite you to join them in celebrating Positive Ageing Week 2023, a national event that recognises the value and contribution of older people in their communities and society. The theme for this year is Challenging Ageism, which aims to address the stereotypes and prejudices that impact older people and their participation and inclusion.
As part of the celebrations, Carlow Older Persons Forum is organising a series of free events in collaboration with Carlow County Development Partnership, the Carlow County Council Age Friendly office, and other local agencies and community groups that support healthy ageing and wellbeing for older people. These events will include workshops, talks, walks, social activities and more.
The launch event will take place in at 6.30pm at SETU on Monday 2 nd October with a screening of the ‘Doorstep Dances’ documentary and will include live music and refreshments. Doorstep Dances was a six-week dance and movement programme where participants engaged in a series of 1-2-1 & in person workshops lead by local dance artist Roisin Whelan. Each week Roisin and the Doorstep Dances team visited homes across Carlow to dance, chat and even have a cup of tea. Each dance
session was designed and tailored to meet participants needs, abilities and music choices. Local filmmaker Patrick Bramley will also create a film documentary capturing the whole process.
This event is free but places are limited so please contact Valerie McDonald in Carlow County Development Partnership to secure your place. T: 059 972 0733 | M: 086 0117761 mailto:vmcdonald@carlowdevelopment.ie
The full programme of events for the week can be found on the Carlow County Council and Carlow County Development Partnership social media pages.
Full event brochures are also available from the information stand at Fairgreen shopping centre or by ringing the Age Friendly office in Carlow County Council on 059 9136207 or contacting Joe Butler, Chairperson of Carlow Older Persons
Forum at jbutler@carlowolderpersonsforum.ie.
We are also delighted to announce that Carlow Age Friendly will provide funding up to a maximum amount of €200 toward transport costs to attend the any event. Community groups must arrange their own transport, confirm the details of this prior to the event with the Age Friendly office and claim the funding by producing a receipt after the event.
These events are the outcome of a public planning session held in An Gairdin Beo in earlier this year, organised by Carlow Older Persons Forum. For more information on Positive Ageing Week, please contact Carlow Older Persons Forum at Mob: 085 850 5549 or email jbutler@carlowolderpersonsforum.ie
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Smart Villages Training

CCDP are now seeking expressions of Interest from community groups who are interested in participating in our SMART VILLAGES training in September

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Carlow County Development Training 2023

SMART Villages – Rural communities that build on their strengths & assets while also developing new opportunities.

 

Carlow County Development Partnership CLG is pleased to announce a new training programme to assist local communities to develop innovative Smart Villages strategies.  This is a central theme of the forthcoming LEADER programme 2023-2027 which will be launched in the autumn.

 

What are Smart Villages?
Smart Villages are communities in rural areas that use innovative solutions to improve their ability to adapt to change, building on local strengths and opportunities.

This 3min video by the European Network for Rural Development explains the concept: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckB71hb0kx0

Why are Smart Villages important?
Smart Villages work as a collective, implementing innovate projects which improve the quality of living for all. Smart village projects can be realised in areas such as transport, energy, governance, digital connectivity, health, local enterprise, remote working.

How do we know the Smart Village concept works?
A number of pilots have been delivered in villages across the EU. Most recently multiple villages in the Alpine region developed a number of Smart Village projects. Projects ranged from the creation of a local producers’ selling platforms to help shorten supply chains, operating a citizen taxi to address transport issues and one remote village secured a company to bring fibre broadband to their area.

Participating villages have shared their projects, approaches and outcomes here: https://smart-villages.eu/language/en/home/

What is involved:

The training programme has been developed by rural development specialist Ian Dempsey, Prescience. He will guide participants through an enlightening, informative and interactive programme exploring opportunities for social, economic and environmental development linked to key themes. These include the Sustainable Development Goals; Health and well-being; Resilience; Digital Transformation; Decarbonisation, Climate Action; Biodiversity; Community Wealth Building and others.  The use of case studies and best practice examples will help develop participants’ knowledge and understanding of themes and concepts such as the background and ethos of the Smart Village concept. The programme will ready groups to access future EU funding for Smart Villages initiatives.

Programme details:

An introductory Seminar took place at Saint Laurence O’Toole’s Athletic Club on May 27th. This was a free event and was well attended by the community. The slides from the event are available here

This programme will provide the opportunity to employ practical ideas and actions within your own communities and avail of upcoming events and training. The programme will run for 3 Saturdays bi weekly during the month of September.

DateTimeLocation
Saturday September 2nd  202310am – 1:30pmAn Gairdin Beo, Carlow town
Saturday September 16th 202310am –1:30pmAn Gairdin Beo,Carlow town
Saturday September 30th  202310am –1:30pmAn Gairden Beo, Carlow town

This training programme has been supported by Carlow Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and funded through the Transitional LEADER Rural Development programme 2021 – 2022.

 

Communities interested in learning more about the course and potentially participating are invited to submit an expression of interest form by August 16th by clicking below. 

 

 

For more information regarding the training :

Please contact:

Cherish Kinsella – Rural Development Officer – Carlow County Development ckinsella@carlowdevelopment.ie

086 – 4121731

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Consultation Information Dates for the New Leader Programme

Please Click on the Image below to book you place.

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The 3rd Irish Women’s Awards 2023 Survey

Our CEO, Annette Fox, has been nominated for the Irish Women’s Awards in the ‘Woman of Influence’ Category.

 I am delighted to share that Annette has been recognised for her leadership, strategic management and innovation, as well as her extensive work in community development and social inclusion.

 As we have seen working with her over the years, she has always stood firmly by her belief in equality, inclusion, and social justice and these are the beliefs that underpin our company and the impact that we make every day throughout the county.

 Annette’s nomination in the ‘Women of Influence’ category, is testament to her continuous advocacy for those who are left behind, while running a very successful local development company.

 Voting for the Irish Women’s Awards closes on Monday 24th

 To vote please follow the link and enter Annette Fox in the Woman of Influence category. 

 

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