A welcomed integrated approach to future developements around our county town. Leitrim & Roscommon County Council meeting this afternoon. Elected members & officials from both the Carrick on Shannon & the Boyle Municipal disctricts meeting to discuss future plans for Carrick on Shannon / Cortober 2016-2022, with a view to developing a first draft plan for public consultation Nov2015-Jan2016. We also used the opportunity to discuss other areas of great concern, including the bridge in Rooskey, the old N4 between Drumsna and Jamestown.
This morning we had the official opening of the newly renovated Farnaught Lime Kiln, near Lough Rynn. This 19th century Kiln is very special as it’s one of the finest examples of a Lime Kiln in the country. It is part of our industrial heritage in Leitrim and really worth a visit, as it has been brought back to its original state using local material and craftsmen.
Lime kilns are structures in which limestone was heated to a high temperature to produce lime. Lime was used as a raw material for a number of uses including; on agricultural land to break up clay soil and ‘sweeten’ the grass or as a mortar in building construction.
In October last year I was selected as a substitute member for Ireland for the Congress of Local and Regional Authorites, in Strasbourg. Ireland has four full members who are delegates to Congress and on the 24th March, I was invited to replace a full member who couldn’t attend the 28th Session (24 to 26 March).
The 28th session included debates on the response of local and regional authorities to migration flows, in the presence of Mayors of Lampedusa (Italy), Calais (France) and Siirt (Turkey). It also held debates on the ‘responses to radicalism in Europe’s cities and regions: fighting terrorism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and hate speech’ and ‘Cities and towns against terrorism’ with the participation of the Mayor of Kobane, Syria, Mustapha Abdi.
Congress members also discussed ‘The United Kingdom: prospects for devolution’, ‘Scotland in the aftermath of the 18 September 2014 referendum’ and ‘The regional dimension of the process of decentralisation in Ukraine’.
There were a number of reports debated for adoption also, including ‘Guaranteeing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people’s rights: a responsibility for Europe’s towns and cities’ and ‘Jewish cemeteries, the responsibility of local authorities’.
The session was also attended by 15 youth delegates, who were invited to take part in all the debates and meetings.
Great to see so many people come and vist the Kurdish Museum, in the Dock today. Well done to Zainab Azizi and all involved in this wonderful exhibition of traditional Kurdish costumes, food and culture to Celebrate NAWROZ DAY
Nawroz means “New Day” and it is a traditional New Year celebration which marks the coming of the spring equinox (March 20-21st). Nawroz also represents unity, love and respect for old traditions and customs.
Lovely atmosphere this morning for this years launch of Fairtrade fortnight in Carrick on Shannon. This year Chief Adam Tampuri from Ghana, who is Chairman of the Fairtrade-certified Gbankuliso Cashew Farmers Association, which represents 800 cashew nut smallholders, was the guest speaker.
Fairtrade Fortnight 2015 will run from 23rd February to 8th March. Pic Keith Nolan.
