Issue No. 40 | February 2025
South West Mayo Development Company CLG
Empowering Communities - Enriching Lives
In the Loop Newsletter
LDCN - Collective Vision | Fairer Society
Members of the LDCN meeting with Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer together with representatives of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann.
South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) is a proud member of the network of local development companies in Ireland. The network was previously known as the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN), and on 12th February 2025, ILDN launched its new name and brand Local Development Companies Network (LDCN).
The tagline for the network is ‘Collective Vision, Fairer Society’, which reflects the work of our network across urban and rural Ireland. SMWDC is very fortunate to enjoy the support of our local representatives and we thank Minister Dara Calleary, Minister of State, Alan Dillon, Rose Conway Walsh TD, and Paul Lawless TD for taking the time to attend the LDCN launch.
Left Photo L-R: Carol Baumann, CEO LDCN, Thomas Fitzpatrick, SWMDC Chairperson, Paul Lawless TD, Minister Dara Calleary, Rose Conway Walsh TD, Sabina Trench SWMDC CEO & Martina Earley LDCN Chairperson.
Right Photo L-R: Minister of State, Alan Dillion TD, Sabina Trench, SWMDC CEO & Thomas Fitzpatrick, SWMDC Chairperson.
Employment Opportunities with SWMDC
New Communities Coordinator: This is a Team Leader role within SWMDC, with people and programme management responsibilities in a growing area of our company.
Community Link Worker: This role is one of a network of Community Link Workers across Ireland, with the goal of enhancing integration and inclusion in our communities, where we can all thrive together.
These are two NEW roles in SWMDC that will offer the successful candidates the opportunity to make a real positive difference in real people’s lives.
Full job descriptions are available on our website (www.southmayo.com), or by calling 098 419 50. If you are interested in these opportunities, the deadline is 5pm on Friday, 21st February 2025. Please send your two-page CV and cover letter to info@southmayo.com.
WRDATF Spring 2025 Training
Our WRDATF staff are promoting a range of specialist training, which may be of interest to you or someone you know.
The details of these and more training courses are available on www.wrdatf.ie.
New Living Well Programme Dates
The Living Well Programme for people with long-term health conditions is pleased to announce a new set of Spring 2025 programme dates.
“Living Well” is a free 6-week programme of weekly workshops which aims to help adults living with chronic/long-term health conditions to develop new skills and learn self-management tools in order to better manage their health and improve their wellbeing.
The programme covers a range of topics related to self-management while living with one or more long-term health condition.
For more information or to book a spot, contact Fiona at 087 7185615 or fcunnane@southmayo.com.
SWMDC Tús Initiative
The Tús initiative is a community work placement scheme providing short-term working opportunities for unemployed people, by carrying out projects in local community facilities under the supervision and support of Tús Team Leaders. The SWMDC Tús workers continue to make a huge difference to community facilities in the area. Here are just some examples of recent projects completed:
Before and after … Manulla Community Centre floor resurfaced
Re-varnished floor in An Sportlann, Castlebar
New bench overlooking Derryhick Lake on behalf of Parke Crimlin Development Association. A joint project by Tús & RSS staff. RSS Staff featured: Gerard Murphy and Damian Walsh.
New shelving unit built at An Sportlann, Castlebar.
Grass cutting at Turlough Round Tower
Decking area built as part of new garden and outdoor contemplative area at St Gerald’s College, Castlebar
If you are unemployed and would like to re-engage with the workplace, build your confidence and self-esteem, and improve your employment prospects, you can check your eligibility for Tús or other employment schemes by calling into your local Intreo or Social Welfare Branch Office.
If you are a community-based organisation interested in Tús support, you can contact the SWMDC Balla office at 094 936 6692.
Calling all walkers!
The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail Walking Festival takes place on Saturday, 10th May 2025, and South West Mayo Development Company is delighted to play its part in supporting this year’s event. Our Rural Recreation Officer, Martin Dillane will be guiding on the days of the festival.
Martin has been involved in developing parts of the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail through the Walks Scheme Development Fund 2022 and 2023 from the Department of Rural, Community Development and the Gaeltacht. This will be the first year that these fantastic new reroutes will be used for the festival, and they will add greatly to the walking experience.
The projects in the areas of Balla and Ballintubber were designed by our Rural Recreation Officer, and constructed using local contractors and the expertise of SWMDC Rural Social Scheme participants. This is just another example of how SWMDC uses an integrated approach to local development; combining programmes to deliver greater benefits for our communities.
LEADER Programme Update
South West Mayo Development Company CLG is entering an agreement with Mayo Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) to be one of their Implementing Partners for the delivery of the LEADER Programme in south and west Mayo. As in the previous programme, we will work with our Animating Partner, IRD Kiltimagh to deliver the programme in our area of operations.
This is great news for the programme in the Mayo, and we are working closely with Mayo LCDC staff to get the programme up and running as soon as possible.
In the meantime, if you have a project idea for the LEADER programme, please go to the LEADER page on our website (www.southmayo.com) and complete our Expression of Interest form. We will record your information and let you know as soon as the new programme is open for applications.
The new programme is divided into the following three themes:
- Economic Development & Job Creation
- Rural Infrastructure & Social Inclusion
- Sustainable Development of the Rural Environment and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
There will be a total LEADER budget of €6.6million for projects in County Mayo, divided across these three headings and their thirteen sub-headings. We expect interest will be very high in the programme, and we are looking forward to another successful LEADER programme that delivers for our people, place, and planet.
