Issue No. 47 | September 2025
South West Mayo Development Company CLG
Empowering Communities - Enriching Lives
In the Loop Newsletter
SWMDC to represent Mayo at Inagural National Conference
Pictured is Minister Dara Calleary with LDCN CEO, Máirín Ó Cuireáin, LDCN and SWMDC Chairperson, Thomas Fitzpatrick and SWMDC CEO, Sabina Trench launching the conference in Ballina.
The Local Development Companies Network (LDCN) is hosting the inaugural national local development conference, ‘Community, Society, Economy – Summit 2030’ in County Mayo at the end of October.
This landmark event will bring together community leaders, policymakers, academics, and practitioners from across Ireland to explore how local development can shape social progress, community wellbeing, and economic resilience over the coming decade.
The conference programme will feature keynote addresses from national and international figures including:
- Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Minister for Social Protection
- Jerry Buttimer, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and at the Department of Transport
- Dr Anna Visser, Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Office, Department of An Taoiseach
- Piotr Sadłocha, President, ELARD
- Dr Anne Devlin, Research Officer in the Economic Analysis Division, ESRI
With Colm O’Regan as MC, the two-day gathering will include expert talks, fireside discussions, and contributions from community voices across the country.
Mayo Self Advocacy Group Showcases Powerful ‘I.T. and Me’ Video at Leinster House
Members of Mayo Self Advocacy Group and their supporters together with and Minister Dara Calleary, Keira Keogh TD, Rose Conway Walsh TD, Paul Lawless TD, and Western Care and SWMDC staff members.
The Mayo Self Advocacy Group was honoured to be invited by Keira Keogh TD to Leinster House to present their impactful video, I.T. and Me, in the AV Room. The event marked a significant milestone for the group, whose message of empowerment and inclusion through the use of technology resonated strongly with attendees.
A heartfelt thank you to Deputy Keogh and all the Mayo-based Ministers and TDs who took the time to meet with the group and view the video. Their presence and engagement underscored the importance of amplifying voices from within the disability community.
Western Care approached South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) for funding to support this project, which was proudly provided through the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP). A special acknowledgement goes to Caroline Healy (SICAP team, SWMDC) and Teem Lens who worked with the group to develop such an engaging and informative video.
Following its successful tour across Mayo, the video’s next screening will take place in Ballinrobe. This was a landmark day for the Mayo Self Advocacy Group—demonstrating that speaking up can indeed capture national and governmental attention.
Members of Mayo Self Advocacy Group and their supporters, Western Care and SWMDC staff members together with Minister Alan Dillon, Keira Keogh TD, Rose Conway Walsh TD, and Paul Lawless TD.
Galway Social Farm Welcomes Minister Naughton: A Showcase of Inclusion in a Rural Setting
Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with responsibility for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton with Martin O’Malley
On Friday, 26th September, we were delighted to welcome Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with responsibility for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton to Martin O’Malley’s farm.
The farm visit gave the Minister the opportunity to experience first-hand the value of social farming and the impact that it has on service users. During the morning, Minister Naughton heard from Patrick who has been visiting the farm as part of the social farming programme for the last number of years. This placement is supported by Ability West, an organisation which has been very supportive of social farming in our area.
If you would like to find out more about our Social Farming programme, please contact Deirdre on:
- Phone: 087 623 3862
- Email: dfahey@southmayo.com
L-R: Karen Mannion (CEO, FORUM Connemara), Sabina Trench (CEO, SWMDC), Bernadette Frain (Count Me In – Western Care), Deirdre Fahey (Regional Development Officer, SWMDC), Thomas Fitzpatrick (Chairperson SWMDC & LDCN) and Noreen McGarry (Western Care & SWMDC Board Member).
Social Farming Awareness Week
To celebrate Social Farming Awareness Week, an open day will take place on Emer Quinn’s farm on Tuesday 7th October, 10.30 am – 12.30 pm.
The Shore Farm is home to horses, cows, sheep, and other animals, with stables, sheds, a polytunnel, and a sensory trail.
Socal farming participants have the opportunity to get involved in animal care, gardening, farm maintenance, and creative projects.
Emer also runs Shore Farm Pony Therapy and has extensive experience in education and supporting people with additional needs.
All welcome, but advance booking is essential. Please contact Caoimhe at 086 065 4136 to book your place today.
Unlocking Local Potential: Mayo Ideas Month Champions Inclusive Economic Growth
As Minister of State for Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for the Circular Economy, Alan Dillon TD will launch the conference. Keynote speakers include Sarah Daly, CEO Creative Spark Dundalk; Claire Downey, CEO Rediscovery Centre, Dublin, Ian Brannigan and Anne Graham, Western Development Commission, and Kevin Swift, Northern & Western Waste Management Office.
The event will also feature inspiring exhibitors such as Ballina Costume Company, EDI Revamp Store, BounceBack Recycling, Rediscovery Centre, Creative Spark, Climate Action Louisburgh, MTU Circular Economy Biocluster, Memories Charity Shop (FACT Foxford).
We hope the conference will be informative and generate ideas for new and existing social enterprises to create employment and income in new and innovative ways.
SWMDC is pleased to host this Circular Economy Conference in collaboration with Mayo North East LEADER Partnership (MNELP).
This is just one of a series of events throughout the month of October as part of Mayo Ideas Month. Please see the table below for the full schedule.
Rural Social Scheme - Making an impact in Manulla
Thanks to our Rural Social Scheme, Manulla N.S. and the community playground have had a lovely facelift! Paticipant, Pat Fehilly painted the exterior wall of the school, installed two basketball baskets, and painted some of the equipment in the playground.
The community is very grateful for the support, and Pat has made a lasting contribution to a local community facility. If this sounds good to you, why not contact us today to see how you can become a participant on the Rural Social Scheme in south and west Mayo.
Phone: 094 936 6692
Email: info@southmayo.com
Website: www.southmayo.com
Together, we’re building stronger communities—one hour at a time.
Putting Safety First
Members of our Tús and RSS teams received SafePass and Small Engines training recently which was funded through Mayo North East LEADER Partnership.
The training involved a mix of in-class and practical outdoor sessions. The feedback from the training was very positive and we are planning to organise First Aid Responders training later this year.
We are pleased to work in collaboration with our neighbouring local development company for the benefit of our social employment participants and local communities.
Meet the Maker: A Creative Gathering on Clare Island
On 6th August, Clare Island came alive with creativity and connection during the ‘Meet the Maker’ event, a special initiative developed in response to requests for more networking opportunities among artists and creatives. The event was hosted in partnership with the Clare Island Artists’ Residency, a program that invites artists of various disciplines to immerse themselves in the island’s inspiring landscape and culture.
The featured artist in residence was Kato Wake (www.katowake.com), a talented painter, instructor, graphic designer, and community builder. Kato led a half-day abstract art workshop, where participants explored expressive techniques and created unique pieces inspired by the island’s natural beauty.
The event welcomed a diverse group of artists, creatives and interested individuals from the Mayo Islands Lot, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration and exchange. Following the workshop, attendees enjoyed a networking lunch that included a lively Q&A session, offering insights into artistic practice, inspiration, and community engagement.
The day was a resounding success—filled with creativity, conversation, and connection. Participants left not only with new artwork, but also with new relationships and ideas to carry forward in their creative journeys.
Living Well Programmes - October & November 2025
Living Well is a free six-week programme for adults with long-term health conditions, featuring weekly 2.5-hour workshops. It helps build confidence and self-management skills while connecting participants with others facing similar challenges.
Upcoming programmes will take place in Castlerea – start date: Tuesday 14th October, 10 am – 12.30 pm; Swinford – start date: Thursday 6th November 10 am – 12.30 pm, and two online options for people who would like to join the programme from the comfort of their own homes – start dates for these are Monday 13th October, 7 pm – 9.30 pm, or Wednesday 5th November, 10.30 am – 1 pm.
For further information please contact Fiona at fcunnane@southmayo.com or phone 087 718 5615
Celebrating Community Investment: Parke GAA Officially Opens Enhanced Facilities
Members of South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) were pleased to attend the official opening of the newly enhanced Parke GAA facilities. The upgrades include a walking track and energy-efficient lighting, which were funded under the 2014–2022 LEADER programme.
Norita Clesham (LEADER Project Officer) and Majella Mulchrone (SWMDC Finance Department), worked closely with the local voluntary committee to guide the project through the rigorous LEADER process. The group was awarded nearly €72,000 in LEADER funding for this phase of development. Additional works included the construction of a new pitch, supported by almost €300,000 in funding from the Sports Capital Programme.
This project stands as a strong example of how voluntary community groups can successfully access multiple funding streams to deliver distinct and impactful elements of a broader community initiative. SWMDC extends its best wishes to Parke GAA for continued success and thanks the club for its warm welcome and recognition of LEADER support on the day.
L-R: Rose Conway Walsh TD, Cllr Richard Finn (Chairperson, Mayo LCDC & LAG), Sabina Trench (CEO, SWMDC), David O’Malley (Rural Development Coordinator, SWMDC), Majella Mulchrone (Finance Department, SWMDC) and Deirdre Finnerty (Head of Community Engagement and Chief Officer, Mayo LCDC & LAG)
SWMDC Awarded IHREC 2025–2026 Grant for ‘Communities Connected’ Initiative
South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) is proud to be one of 23 successful applicants under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) 2025–2026 grants scheme.
The funded project, Communities Connected, aims to strengthen and support the Mayo community in recognising, resisting, and responding to disinformation and misinformation. At its core, the initiative promotes inclusion, trust, and mutual support across diverse groups, working with new and established communities throughout our area.
Learnings from the project will be shared locally, regionally, and nationally, contributing to a broader understanding of how communities can build resilience and cohesion in the face of evolving challenges. This initiative also complements the ongoing work of SWMDC’s Community Link Worker, reinforcing our commitment to inclusive engagement and social justice.
L-R: Valeria Morando (IHREC), Fidelma Joyce (IHREC), Caroline Brennan (Community Link Worker, SWMDC), Vicci Tallis (New Communities Coordinator, SWMDC), Patricia Joyce (CFO, SWMDC) and Thereze Gelston (IHREC).
Staff Updates
We wish a fond farewell to Linda Groarke, who has worked as part of the SWMDC Finance and Adminstration team for the past three years. Linda is moving on to pastures new as a Tús Team Leader with Mayo North East LEADER Partnership, and we wish her every success in her new role.
Pictured are members of the Rural Social Scheme and Tús teams wishing Linda (pictured centre front) all the best in her new career chapter.
New Starters
We are delighted to welcome Paula Lenehan back to SWMDC. Paula is taking up the role of Roma and Migrant Lead and will coordinate the HSE response to support the health needs of the IPA and Roma communities. We wish Paula all the best with her new role!
As part of our successful European Innovation Partnership (EIP) submission, we have recruited two new staff to join SWMDC; John Walsh, Project Coordinator and Peadar Gallagher, Project Officer. This is a four year project based across Mayo and Donegal which aims to develop management and restoration actions in the commonage farming context.
SWMDC Staff Unite in Support of Local Hospice Fundraiser
On the 25th September, staff across our offices came together for a wonderful coffee morning in support of the Irish Hospice Foundation.
Many of our team displayed their baking talents in aid of this great cause.
We’re proud to continue this wonderful tradition of supporting the annual coffee morning.
SWMDC AGM 2024: Celebrating a Year of Purpose and Progress
On Thursday, 25th September, South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) held its Annual General Meeting, providing an opportunity to reflect on a year marked by significant progress and achievement.
Chairperson Thomas Fitzpatrick addressed Board members with a review of 2024’s key milestones. The company’s income surpassed €5 million, enabling continued expansion and impact across the region. SWMDC’s team grew to over 60 dedicated staff members, and more than 350 individuals participated in social employment programmes throughout south and west Mayo, underscoring our company’s commitment to inclusive development and community support.
Back Row L-R: Harry Walsh (SWMDC Board Member), Leanne Loftus (Aministration Team, SWMDC), Patricia Joyce (Chief Financial Officer, SWMDC), Malcolm Cooney (SWMDC Board Member), Pamela O’Boyle (SWMDC Board Member), Lisa Halpin (HR Manager, SWMDC), Sheena Duddy (SWMDC Board Member) and Sabina Trench (CEO, SWMDC).
Front Row L-R: Noreen McGarry (SWMDC Board Member), Thomas Fitzpatrick (SWMDC Chairperson), Donna Hyland (SWMDC Board Member) and John Cannon (SWMDC Board Member).
Our CEO, Sabina Trench, delivered a concise presentation highlighting key figures from 2024, offering valuable insight into the achievements of both the SWMDC team and the participants in our social employment programmes.
