Issue No. 51 | January 2026
South West Mayo Development Company CLG
Empowering Communities - Enriching Lives
In the Loop Newsletter
Celebrating 35 years of South West Mayo Development Company
In 2026, SWMDC proudly celebrates 35 years of supporting people, communities, and enterprises across the region. This milestone is not only a chance to reflect on our journey, but also an opportunity to celebrate the impact we’ve made with our staff, local communities, funding partners, and programme collaborators.
Throughout the year, we will be marking this anniversary with a range of activities designed to honour our history, showcase our achievements, and look ahead to the future. But most importantly, we want to celebrate with you — the people, communities, and enterprises who have been part of our story.
If you have old photos, memories of SWMDC staff you met, or stories about projects and programmes that benefitted you, your community, or your enterprise, we would love to hear from you.
Your contributions will help us capture the spirit of SWMDC’s journey and ensure that the voices of those we’ve worked alongside are at the heart of our celebrations.
Together, let’s make 2026 a year to remember as we celebrate 35 years of partnership, progress, and positive local impact.
You can reach out to us on:
Email info@southmayo.com, Phone: 098 419 50 or
Post I.P.I. Centre, Breaffy Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, F23 V125.
SWMDC consolidates offering with office restructure and reaffirms commitment to communities
Reaffirming our commitment to communities across the region, members of SWMDC Board and team met with a local group in Balla this week, to discuss SWMDC supports, including new ORIS funding secured for local walks development.
Left-right: Thomas Fitzpatrick (Chairperson, SWMDC), Tony Hetherington (Rural Social Scheme Supervisor), Sabina Trench (CEO, SWMDC), Pat Boyle (Chairperson, Balla Community Resources Development), Norita Clesham (LEADER Project Officer), and Martin Dillane (Rural Recreation Officer).
Photo: Trish Forde.
South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to communities across Mayo, Galway and Roscommon, amid a restructure of our office and outreach services.
Over the last 18 months, we conducted a robust analysis of our facilities and offerings, in consultation with board and staff. The findings pointed to an overwhelming desire to combine resources, consolidate work practices and projects, and improve collaboration amongst teams.
When SWMDC was first established 35 years ago, we set up an office in Castlebar, which was closed once we relocated to Newport. Later, additional offices were added in Balla and again in Castlebar. As part of the restructure, the majority of staff will now be attached to the headquarters in Castlebar, with outreach offices continuing to operate across the area, including in Newport and Balla. Current staffing levels will remain, with SWMDC continuing to employ almost 70 people, alongside an additional 350 people employed through social employment schemes.
Speaking about the restructuring, company CEO, Sabina Trench, said there was an overwhelming view amongst staff that a central office with a robust outreach strategy would be far more effective in terms of cross-programme collaboration, communication, and delivery of local supports.
“For the last number of years, we have been operating across three offices, against a backdrop of increased staffing and programme commitments. With this setup, we felt we were missing out on collaboration opportunities across programmes. We have found in the past that proximity generates ideas and promotes cooperation. With the level of usage in our offices decreasing post-COVID, the time was right for some fresh thinking,” she explained.
he amalgamation of SWMDC’s offices will not affect communities and programmes in any way, stressed the SWMDC Chairperson, Thomas Fitzpatrick. “In addition to the Castlebar office, we are planning to retain a company presence in Newport and Balla with two new outreach offices. For the communities, businesses, and people in our area, they can still expect the same high levels of service that we have always delivered. This includes placements from our social employment schemes such as Rural Social Scheme, Tús, and Community Employment.
“Whether it’s in the local community centre, at the kitchen table over a coffee, or on a business premises, our approach has always been to meet people in their own place, where possible, rather than asking them to come to us,” continued Mr Fitzpatrick.
Community & Voluntary Groups and
Organisations
Affiliation Programme 2026
South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) was established in 1991 by community and voluntary groups from Westport, Newport, Castlebar, Balla, Ballintubber, Carnacon, Louisburgh and Ballinrobe to revitalise south and west Mayo after years of underinvestment. We did this through a pilot programme known as LEADER.
We are now inviting your community voluntary group or organisation to join us and become a SWMDC affiliate member or renew your affiliation for 2026. As an affiliate member your group or organisation will have the opportunity to shape our future direction and share in our success.
Since 1991, we have secured over €50 million in funding for local projects and other community supports through programmes such as:
- Successive LEADER Programmes
- Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP)
- Rural Social Scheme (RSS)
- Tús Initiative
- Community Employment (CE) Schemes
- Rural Recreation and Walks Scheme (plus ORIS funding)
- Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) programmes
- Western Region Drugs and Alcohol Task Force (WRDATF)
- HSE funded programmes – including the Living Well Programme
- Social Farming
- WorkAbility (branded as Ready to Work in south and west Mayo)
- Tulsa funded Family Support Practitioners
Our Strategic Plan 2021 – 2027 aims to ensure that SWMDC is resilient, flexible, and adaptable in the face of change and to continue to build up communities in County Mayo for many years to come.
Over 400 community groups and organisations benefitted from our work in the last year alone.
As an affiliated community/voluntary organisation, you will:
- Nominate representatives for electionto our Board of Directors.
- Gain access to other groups and organisations as an SWMDC Board representative.
- Vote in elections for community board members to represent your area.
- Ensure community ownership of your local development company.
- Influence the direction of the future work of the company through local focus groups and network meetings for example.
- Hear about new funding programmes and support in our monthly newsletter.
- Access guidance on grant applications for non-SWMDC funding programmes.
- Access training and other supports to help your group / organisation realise its full potential.
€50 per year
1.Complete the Community and Voluntary Groups & Organisations Affiliation Application Form.
2.Arrange for paymentof the €50 affiliation fee as follows:
a. Electronic Funds Transfer(EFT) to our bank account.
OR
b. Make a cheque payable to South West Mayo Development Company CLG.
OR
c. Cash
Please send your completed Application Form and your:
a. Electronic Funds Transfer Copy
OR
b. Cheque
To: South West Mayo Development Co., George’s Street,Newport, Co. Mayo,F28 YP27
Please do not post cash. You can drop cash into our Newport or Castlebar offices.
Electronic copies of documents can be sent by email to: info@southmayo.com.
Once we receive your paperwork and payment, we will send you:
- Affiliation fee receipt
- Unique SWMDC affiliation number
Important:
This affiliation programme is limited to South West Mayo Development Company CLG. It is not linked in any way to the Mayo Public Participation Network (PPN). South West Mayo Development Company is a member of and has very close ties with Mayo PPN and Mayo County Council. Regardless of affiliation, we will continue to support all community/voluntary groups and organisations in our area of operation.
Investing in Our People
At SWMDC, we believe that the development of our staff is the foundation of our success. Throughout 2025, we continued to demonstrate this commitment by offering a wide range of professional development opportunities designed to strengthen skills, build confidence, and support career progression.
From conflict management and project management to leadership development and employment law, the training reflected the diverse needs of our workforce. Staff also benefitted from practical courses such as time management, GDPR compliance, first aid responder training, and payroll management, ensuring that both technical expertise and everyday workplace skills were enhanced.
Equally important were opportunities to build interpersonal and leadership capabilities through professional boundaries, motivational interviewing, and supervisory management, which helped staff refine their interpersonal and leadership abilities. By investing in these areas, SWMDC not only equips employees with the tools to excel in their current roles but also prepares them for future opportunities within the organisation.
This ongoing commitment to upskilling demonstrates our dedication to creating a supportive environment where staff can thrive, grow, and achieve their career ambitions.
Funding Opportunity for Small Community Groups:
Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026
he Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026 will provide capital funding to support community groups across Ireland.
The funding will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas to carry out necessary repairs and improvements to their facilities, purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment etc.
This funding will help communities, community groups and committees, allowing them to continue to provide valuable services to the people in their area, and in the process strengthen the bonds that tie communities together. The fund also aims to support local strategic priorities through linkages with Local Economic Community Plans (LECPs).
Applications must be submitted to Mayo LCDC by 27 February 2026.
For more information visit https://consult.mayo.ie/en
My Journey to Self Employment
Nature’s Gifts: A Passion for Sustainable, Handmade Living
Monta Glazere is the founder of Nature’s Gifts, a small Irish business based in Claremorris, Co. Mayo, creating beautiful handmade, eco-friendly products inspired by nature. From natural soaps and bath bombs to soy candles, wax melts and unique gift items such as soap bouquets, Nature’s Gifts is built on sustainability, quality and creativity. Wherever possible, Monta uses plant-based ingredients and environmentally conscious materials, offering customers products that are both mindful and kind to the planet.
Originally from Latvia, Monta’s connection to nature began early in life, learning from her mother about the curative and healing properties of plants and trees. This early influence shaped her passion for natural products and continues to inspire her work today. Choosing self-employment allowed Monta to turn a long-held creative passion into a meaningful business, while also providing flexibility to balance family life and build a brand that reflects her values and love for nature.
Like many small business owners, Monta has faced challenges, particularly in building visibility, growing her customer base and managing all aspects of the business single-handedly. Support from South West Mayo Development Company (SICAP) played a key role in her journey, guiding her through business planning and setup through their Start Your Own Business programme.
A major highlight to date was being shortlisted as a finalist in the 2025 Green Game-Changer Business Awards run by the Mayo Local Enterprise Office — a significant achievement alongside well-established businesses and a rewarding recognition of her commitment to sustainable enterprise.
You can check out Nature’s Gifts at www.naturesgifts.ie
Facebook: Natures Gifts Instagram: @naturesgifts1987
HSE National Lottery Grant Scheme
Community and voluntary organisations that provide health or social care services can apply to the HSE National Lottery Grant Scheme.
The scheme supports one-off projects that improve community health and social care, such as equipment purchases or the delivery of courses, classes and activities. Public bodies, including the HSE, are not eligible to apply.
Grants of €300 to €10,000 are available, with projects required to start and finish within the same year.
Closing Date for applications: Friday 13th February 2026
To find out more and apply:
https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/lottery-grants/national-lottery-grants/
Lahardane Community Futures Plan
The Lahardane Community Futures Plan was launched by Minister Dara Calleary earlier this month.
The plan is the culmination of many months of work by the community. This included stakeholder interviews, a household survey, a business survey and a youth workshop.
The plan identifies the priorities the community want to develop over the next five years. These include amenities, infrastructure, and tourism facilities. We wish them every success with their plan.
The Mayo Community Futures team is hosted by South West May Development Company on behalf of Mayo County Council.
Best Wishes from SWMDC
James Garavan from the Newport area retired from the Rural Social Scheme on the 12th December 2025.
James worked in this area for the past 10 years, and was highly regarded by the communities he has worked with and our team at South West Mayo Development Company.
We wish James all the best for the future and many happy years of retirement.
Staff Updates
Welcome
Hilda Masterson started with us in January as Family Support Practitioner. Hilda joins our New Communities team and we wish her every success in her new role with us.
Job Opportunity
We are currently seeking applications for an Intercultural Support Worker. Closing date for applications is 12noon, Tuesday 3rd February 2026. See the full job description at https://southmayo.com/intercultural-support-worker/.
Congratulations
Congratulations to Celesta Khosa and her family on the welcome birth of their son Ivaan Ragnar Ziggy.
HSE Programme Update
Start You Own Business Training Dates for 2026
Empowered Enterprise Training
Regional Festivals & Participative Events Programme for County Mayo 2026
The Regional Festival & Participate Events Programme for County Mayo aims to support festivals and participative events that will drive domestic tourism and help to improve the visitor experience in Mayo.
To be considered for funding under this Programme, festivals must generate a minimum of 200 visitors, or 200 tourist bed nights in paid accommodation. A project minimum expenditure of €5,000 must be demonstrated in the case of both festivals and participative events.
The deadline for applications is 5pm Wednesday 25th February 2026.
Follow the link: https://www.mayo.ie/en-ie/news/regional-festivals-participative-events-programme-for-county-mayo-2026
Phone: 098 419 50 | Email: info@southmayo.com | Website: www.southmayo.com
Together, we’re building stronger communities—one hour at a time.
