Lough Carra Catchment Assoc

As part of a significant enhancement plan for Lough Carra, the Lough Carra Catchment Association (LCCA) was awarded over €27,000 in LEADER funding for a feasibility study into a lake protection plan.

The association, which was established in 2018, was formed with the goal of
conserving and restoring the ecological integrity of Lough Carra and its lakeshore
habitats designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Lough Carra is known as a marl lake, a shallow limestone lake. Over time,
the quality of the water has declined, and the ecological status of the lake has
gradually degraded.

“The water used to be so clear here that you could see an eel swimming on the bottom” says Chris Huxley of the LCCA.

“The marl used to be white, which it should be, but now you’ll find it’s green. In some places, it’s brown or even black.”

The feasibility study made possible through LEADER funding, looked at ways to arrest the decline in water quality. The project resulted in a 152-page document that sets out a compelling case for the investment needed to improve the environment of the lake and surrounding areas.

Sabina Trench, CEO of South West Mayo Development Company, which delivers LEADER programmes, said:

“Like many LEADER projects, this grant was a stepping stone for the Lough Carra Catchment Association (LCCA). With Mayo as the lead agency, County Council has secured € 5 million in Life project funding over a five-year period to ‘restore, protect and conserve the ecological integrity of Lough Carra’. That is a 185% return on the initial LEADER investment, which is incredible value for money.”

For more information on this project, please see: https://loughcarra.org/

Nigel OReilly Goldsmith NORG

Bespoke jewellery designer Nigel O’Reilly was operating from a home-based studio when he approached South West Mayo Development Company about LEADER funding in 2017. Already an established jewellery maker for some of the world’s most luxurious jewellery houses, Nigel had an ambition to offer his own high-end jewellery range and bespoke pieces to clients from his Mayo base.
Part of the plan required Nigel to move from his home base to a new studio in Castlebar, where clients would have the opportunity to experience a one-to-one jewellery consultation in surroundings consistent with his exclusive brand.

Thanks to LEADER programme funding, Nigel created a studio space combining a workshop and consultation room to showcase his creative process. Together, the client’s specific requirements are discussed, and next door, each piece is individually crafted by Nigel and his team. Amongst its specialist equipment, Nigel’s New Workshop features a modern 3-D printer funded by LEADER in 2021.

“We work with some of the most microscopic of gemstones in our creations and our equipment is hugely important to us,” he said. “With support like LEADER, we can compete nationally on a world stage as the best-equipped fine jewellery studio.”

Sabina Trench, CEO of South West Mayo Development Company, reflected on their collaboration with Nigel O’Reilly:

“This is a major business success story for County Mayo. The fact that a jewellery designer and maker of this stature can operate from our county town shows others what is possible. We were delighted to support Nigel and his team with LEADER funding. This investment has sustained and created rural jobs in a niche industry, which is exactly what the programme was designed to achieve.”

For more information about Nigel and his stunning creations, please see:
www.nigeloreilly.com.

CPCNS  Broadband

The Croagh Patrick Community Network Society (CPCNS) is a community-based broadband scheme established in 2004. It provides broadband services to its network of over 270 residential and business customers in the Clew Bay area. It is the only community-owned broadband service in County Mayo.

CPCNS secured almost €8,000 of LEADER funding to purchase and install specialist broadband equipment. This equipment allowed CPCNS to increase bandwidth and improve the broadband service offered to its customers. The investment, which was matched with €2,500 of the group’s own resources, also allowed CPCNS to expand their network to more households, many of
who are unable to access reliable services through commercial providers.
By commissioning a dedicated fibre optic broadband connection and upgrading the existing technical equipment, CPCNS can offer consistent high-speed broadband to a wide range of users in isolated rural areas.

The LEADER funding also helps secure the long-term sustainability of CPCNS by attracting new customers due to this improved infrastructure.
As we move into a hybrid working environment and with the move of so many services online, CPCNS provides a vital rural service which is as essential as running water and electricity into our homes and businesses. This is one LEADER grant which is punching way above its weight.