Issue No. 25 | November 2023
South West Mayo Development Company CLG
Empowering Communities - Enriching Lives
In the Loop Newsletter
Social Farming Awareness Week 2023
Local farmers like Alan and Vivian Woods are making a difference in their communities. The Woods are dedicated to dairy farming, with Vivian also contributing to the Rural Social Scheme. At this social farming open day, attendees enjoyed community involvement and fresh-baked goods.
Social Farming provides visitors with an opportunity to engage in farm activities, promoting positive engagement, health, inclusivity and well-being. With 140 social farms across the country and growing interest, this initiative continues to receive support from the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.
The open day showcased the benefits of Social Farming, with participants from organisations like Western Care, Mayo Community Living, and St. Tiernan’s Community School. Killian Corr spoke of his enjoyment and renewed sense of purpose in helping on the farm, while Noreen McGarry of Western Care highlighted the benefits of social inclusion. A big thank you to Deirdre Fahy and the dedicated Social Farming team.
FLAG Northwest - LEADER for coastal areas in Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim
The Local Development Strategy is currently being developed for the Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) programme. FLAG (Fisheries Local Action Group Programme) is a Community Led Local Development scheme that seeks to:
“enable a sustainable blue economy in coastal, island and inland areas, and foster the development of coastal communities”
Public meetings will take place as follows:
8th November 2023 – Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet | 7pm
9th November 2023 – Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo | 7pm
Online Meeting: – 2pm, 2 November 2023 – Contact: FLAG.Strategies@ie.gt.com for more details.
Mayo Ideas Month 2023 - Meet Mayo
Mayo Ideas Month 2023 concluded with a very successful Meet Mayo business networking event in October, attended by Minister Dara Calleary and esteemed guests. The event aimed to promote entrepreneurship, local business, and social innovation, providing a platform for business leaders to connect and discuss growth and collaboration prospects in Mayo.
Representatives from South West Mayo Development Company, Seán Carolan and Olivia Kitterick, promoted the organisation’s dedication to empowering local communities and promoting social enterprise.
The event facilitated engaging discussions, idea sharing, and business to business networking. We are confident that these connections will contribute towards the growth and prosperity of our local enterprise sector.
The entrepreneurial spirit thriving in Mayo is exciting, and we look forward to the positive impact of this collaboration and new connections in the region over the coming months and years.
Mapping the Future: Innovative Steps Toward Sustainable Tourism
During an exciting event at Mayo Ideas Month, Údarás na Gaeltachta and South West Mayo Development Company came together to promote sustainable tourism to our business and social enterprise community. Attendees were treated to a wealth of knowledge, including green funding, Dark Sky tourism, and plans for a UNESCO Global Geopark. The speakers highlighted the importance of sustainability, environmental efforts, and the role of AI in tourism.
The message was clear: sustainable tourism is the way forward. Mayo Ideas Month is a event designed to inspire growth and innovation in businesses throughout the month. Hosted by local enterprise office and partners in County Mayo, the events bring businesses together with agencies that support enterprise, with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. We are proud to be part of events like this that contribute to our local economic and social development.
2024 - RSS & Tús Community Applications
We’re now accepting applications for the 2024 support services provided by our RSS & Tús teams. Our supervisors are currently distributing application forms to over 400 active groups. However, if you represent a newly established group and would like to explore how our highly skilled staff can offer assistance and support, please don’t hesitate to contact our Balla Office at 094 936 6692. Read on to learn more about the high-quality essential services that both RSS & Tús deliver to our broader community.
We at SWMDC believe in empowering, enriching, and energizing people and communities, and we can’t wait to see what our RSS & Tús teams can do for your organisations.
The WRDATF 2023 Awareness Week
The WRDATF 2023 Awareness Week is just around the corner, taking place from November 13th to 17th. This event is set to provide you with an engaging and enlightening content and information. The week will feature a wide array of thought-provoking discussions and activities that revolve around the crucial themes of substance use prevention, awareness, and education. Whether you are a concerned community member, a seasoned professional in the field, or someone eager to expand your knowledge, there is something for everyone.
Be a part of this impactful week and make sure to secure your spot by booking events through the official website
Click HereSICAP - Start Your Own Business Course
We’re thrilled to share that SICAP’s Start Your Own Business Course is back on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023, at St. Colman’s Training Centre, Mayo Abbey for a day of learning and lunch. This FREE training is a collaborative effort between SWMDC, SICAP and LEO Mayo, and is designed to empower and energise you on your entrepreneurial journey.
Reserve your spot now as availability is limited by phoning: 094 936 6692
So long, farewell...
We bid a fond farewell to Mary O’Malley, our Financial Controller, who has officially moved on from SWMDC. Mary has been an integral part of our team for 30 years and has shown us nothing but professionalism and support throughout her tenure. We’re grateful for her friendship, kindness, and dedication to the development of our organisation, local communities and clients.
