Issue No. 42 | April 2025
South West Mayo Development Company CLG
Empowering Communities - Enriching Lives
In the Loop Newsletter
Mayo Social Inclusion Awareness Month - April 2025
Pictured at the launch of Mayo Social Inclusion Month – staff from SWMDC along with representatives from Mayo Local Authority, Mayo North East LEADER Partnership, MSLETB, TFI Local Link Mayo and community organisations.
Friday 4th April saw the launch of Mayo’s Social Inclusion Awareness Month. This is an initiative of Mayo Local Community Development Committee’s (LCDC) Social Inclusion and Community Development Working Group and is supported by South West Mayo Development Company along with many community groups and organisations throughout County Mayo. A full list of all the events and initiatives of Mayo Social Inclusion Month can be found on www.mayo.ie/socialinclusionmonth.
Included in South West Mayo Development’s events for the month was a “Rural Community Connector” event in partnership with Mayo Abbey Community Centre on Monday 14th April, featuring a Soundbath and tour of the gardens. Additionally, a “Cultures of Mayo Community Gathering” took place in Linenhall Arts Centre, on Wednesday 16th April where communities gathered to celebrate in song, poetry, fashion and music.
Upcoming SWMDC events include a “My Place to Play” information session which will take place on Monday 28th April – details in this newsletter. A celebration of “Mayo Sheroes” takes place on Wednesday 30th April in the Breaffy House Hotel, 10 am – 1 pm. This is a celebration of women’s strength and friendship and will feature music, poetry, games, and food. Contact Celesta for more info at ckhosa@southmayo.com.
An information evening about the “Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities Course” will take place on Wednesday 30th April 2025, in the Castlebar Scouts Den. This course offers to equip participants with the knowledge needed to establish a small business. To book or find out more please call Olivia on 087 060 4724 or email okitterick@southmayo.com.
Staff Updates
We extend a warm welcome to Vicci Tallis, our New Communities Coordinator who joined the company on Monday, 7th April 2025. We are also delighted to welcome Niamh Flanagan to the company who joined us on Monday 14th April 2025 as Migrant Health Lead.
We are excited to announce that another new joiner will be coming on board in May! Caroline Brennan will be joining the team as a Community Link Worker on the 6th May 2025. Caroline with be working closely Vicci Tallis as they roll out the Community Connection Project across Mayo.
We bid farewell to Theresa Ann Grimes who is finishing up with us at the end of April 2025. Theresa Ann is the Clerical Administrator in the Administration / Finance team and provided fantastic support to the team. We would like to thank Theresa Ann for her valued contribution to the company and wish her the very best for the future.
SWMDC Sports & Social Club
Thanks so much to the SWMDC Sports & Social Committee for organising our first event, a leisurely pre-Easter walk around Lough Lannagh, Castlebar. A great way to connect with our colleagues and enjoy the fabulous amenities in County Mayo.
Disability Equality Training
The SWMDC staff want to say a big thank you to ILMI’s Peter Kearns DPO Development Officer for a fantastic and dynamic Disability Equality Training workshop in Castlebar recently. The session was eye-opening and taught us so much about how to ensure everyone feels welcome and included. We really appreciate your time, knowledge, and passion for this important topic. We’re excited to use what we’ve learned and make sure inclusion is part of everything we do moving forward.
Paula Lenehan, ATU (Mayo) also joined us on the day to discuss CORU registration for SWMDC staff in 2025.
My Place to Play
As part of Mayo Social Inclusion Month, our Family Support team is collaborating with Mayo County Childcare Committee and Tusla to bring the ‘My Place to Play’ concept to people living in accommodation centres.
The very limited space in centres means that babies and toddlers often get a very limited play experience.
Alvina and Galyna from South West Mayo Development Company will be on hand throughout the morning to highlight the importance of play for small children in their social, physical, and intellectual development.
Social Farming Across the Region
Spring is a busy time of year for farms, and the participants of the SWMDC Social Farming Programme are getting stuck in! Featured are participants from Ability West, Brothers of Charity, and Castlerea Community School – along with the animals they are learning to work with and enjoy!
Thank you to all our social farmers for providing this wonderful opportunity for the participants to experience farm life in a healthy, supportive, and inclusive environment.
We offer Social Farming right across counties Mayo, Galway, and Roscommon in partnership with a wide variety of service providers and other partners including schools.
For more information about the Social Farming Programme contact Deirdre Fahey at dfahey@southmayo.com.
Habits for Success
We were delighted to co-host Habits for Success with Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education & Training Board (MSLETB). The event was specifically for MSLETB students, and it’s aim was to help promote healthy habits and positive lifestyle changes for the students, all of which can contribute to and support future success.
Thanks so much to the various presenters on the day, and of course to the all the MSLETB students who embraced the day with energy and enthusiasm.
Funding Opportunities Open for Applications
CLÁR 2025
The programme will be delivered through the following three separate Measures:
- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities
- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, Community First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport
- Measure 3: ‘Our Living Islands’
Closing Dates: Measure 1 (3pm, 8th May 2025) | Measure 2 (23rd May 2025) | Measure 3 (13th June 2025)
For more information, please see: https://www.mayo.ie/news/clar-funding-2025 or email: community@mayococo.ie.
FLAG Coastal Communities Development Scheme
Launched on April 3rd 2025 Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAG) Coastal Communities Development Scheme 2025 – 2029 supports community-led local development, with the priorities for funding set out in the Local Development Strategies prepared by each of the seven Fisheries Local Action Groups – €15 million budget. For more information, please see: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/111fa-launch-of-15-million-flag-coastal-communities-development-scheme/
Community Futures Launch - Irishtown
The community of Irishtown was delighted to welcome Minister Dara Calleary to launch their new Community Futures Plan 2024-2029.
This plan has been developed by the Irishtown Community Futures Steering Group with the support of the SWMDC Community Futures Team, hosted on behalf of Mayo County Council.
In developing the plan, 180 community views survey forms were returned from 280 households, there were 15 stakeholder interviews, and over 70 people attended the community open day. This was a very promising level of engagement and Irishtown now has an action plan for the community by the community.
The plan is divided into four main strategies and priorities as follows:
Community Centre, Facilities & Activities | Transport, Roads and Infrastructure | Business, Village Environs & Heritage | Environment & Sustainability. We wish Irishtown every success in implementing their plan with the support of all the relevant agencies in County Mayo, including South West Mayo Development Company!
Pictured with Minister Dara Calleary are members of the Irishtown Community Futures Committee, County Mayo Community Futures Committee, elected representatives, Mayo County Council staff, Community Futures staff (hosted by SWMDC on behalf of Mayo County Council) and SWMDC Board and staff members.
New Frontiers - €40k+ Support for New Businesses
Are you sitting on a game-changing business idea but unsure about its true potential? New Frontiers invites you to take the first step on a transformative program – an unparalleled opportunity to investigate and validate the viability of your entrepreneurial vision.
Join the New Frontiers Program and discover the true potential that lies within your entrepreneurial vision.
Apply now, and let the exploration begin!
For more information, please visit atuihubs.ie/newfrontiers or newfrontiers.ie or email ihubgalway.galwaymayo@atu.ie.
Drug Related Intimidation & Violence Engagement (DRIVE) Training
This is a new training programme for frontline staff who may be working with people or are or are likely to be a target of drug related intimidation. To book your place, please go to: www.wrdatf.ie/training.php.
LEADER Supported Social Enterprise in Focus
As we move into the summer months, longer evenings and bank holidays, it’s time to enjoy the VeloRail, a unique visitor experience in Ireland!
This project was supported under the most recent LEADER programme, and offers a fabulous family-friendly and universally accessible railbike experience.
Along the trip you will enjoy the rural heartlands of Mayo with family and friends. Railbikes are designed to accommodate all members of a family or other group regardless of their ability, so long as there are at least two reasonably fit adults to pedal the bikes.
For more information on times and booking, please see www.velorail.ie, email velorail@ird-kiltimagh.ie or call 094 938 1494.
Happy Easter to you all from the SWMDC Board and Staff!
Our offices will close for Easter at 5pm on Thursday, 17th April and re-open on Tuesday, 22nd April 2025.
