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.
Notion of Motion in the Name of Cllr Sinead Guckian
At the February meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District, I will ask the South Leitrim Area Engineer, when will the public lighting be installed on the link road/route from the Summerhill housing estate towards the Glen Carrig estate and Aura Leisure centre. It was discussed and agreed at October Municipal meeting that the provision of lighting in this area would be considered, as the Council had previously committed to installing same on numerous occasions and the ground works are in place for a number of years.
REPLY ON BEHALF OF LCC
The public lighting requested will be put in place as part of the current years works programme.
In response to the reply Councillor Sinead Guckian welcomed this reply and advised that this work was long overdue. She requested that the light would be installed in the coming weeks-
09/02/2015 (Municipal District Meeting (CK))
Carrick on Shannon Municipal District Meeting February 9th 2015
Notion of Motion in the Name of Cllr Sinead Guckian
At the February meeting of Carrick on Shannon Municipal District, I will ask the Director of Services, Roads and Infrastructure, to include a provision in the 2015 Road Works Programme, for extension of the existing footpath out of Mohill (on the R202-11 ), to the speed limit signs. This footpath, on the Fenagh road out of Mohill, currently stops short of the speed limit zone. There is an adequate margin to continue it further and therefore ensuring pedestrian safety in this area.
REPLY ON BEHALF OF LCC
The footpath on this approach road extends as far as the occupied houses within the speed limit; the 60kph speed limit is located at Cappagh Bridge. Extending the footpath to this point would lead to a situation where the footpath ends at the start of a sharp bend in the regional road; this would not be desirable from a road safety perspective.
In response to the reply Councillor Sinead Guckian outlined that last year when she requested this work be considered, she was advised that the work could not be carried out due to lack of funds, she expressed her frustration that this year she was being told that work wouldn’t be carried out due to the nature of the bend. She outlined to the meeting that extending the footpath to the speed limit signs would insure a safer pedestrian passage not just for the residents in the immediate area but also for the many residents beyond the speed limit zone. She advised that many families walk and cycle on this route and they continue onto the link road (L5450) back into Mohill.
Following a further debate, the Area Engineer advised that given the proximity to the sharp bend, it would be more suitable to continue the pedestrian footpath to meet the link road rather than stop at the speed zone. Cllr Sinead Guckian welcomed this suggestion as being acceptable and she requested that it would be included for consideration under this year’s road works programme. She received the support of all members- 09/02/2015 (Municipal District Meeting (CK))
.A number of Council Initiatives are happening in Mohill, these include energy efficiency in homes through the Housing Dept, energy reviews for businesses through the Enterprise Office, age friendly initiatives, International Rowing facility at Lough Rynn making use of the water to generate visitors to the area, supporting the Greenway project. Todays event was the Energy Awareness Day. Well done to all the exhibitors! which include SEAI, The Warmer Homes Scheme, The Credit Union, Electric Bike Trails, Teagasc Green Farming Initiative, Leitrim County Council and the Local Enterprise Office
