Garadice image taken by Cyril Óg Smith

Social Inclusion, Disability,

Rural Development, Peace & Reconciliation

Linkage Group

Leitrim PPN held a very informative Social Inclusion, Disability, Rural 
Development, Peace and Reconciliation Linkage Group meeting on 19th Feb.

 

Leitrim PPN also fed into a Submission to An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s Independent Electoral Commission in regard to the Education and Public Engagement Strategy

 

We want to hear from more groups - you just have to answer  two questions:

1. What are your thoughts on current efforts to encourage people to vote in Ireland?
2. Ideas and suggestions to encourage  more people to vote in Ireland

Mental Health First Aid Training

Staff in LDCo to include PPN workers took part in Mental Health First Aid Training this week, Presented by Aishling Tiernan Training.

 

If any member group is interested in this training please email info@leitrimppn.ie

Leitrim PPN Member Spotlight

Kinlough Men's Shed & Community Garden

Kinlough Men's Shed provide a friendly, safe environment where men can socialise and develop friendships.  They share skills and learn new ones.  They introduce men to life skills involving health and well being with an emphasis on tackling isolation.

 

Kinlough Community Garden & Kinlough Men's Shed work on many joint initiatives together.

Pictured: members of Kinlough Mens Shed who entered "Love Where You Live Awards" last year, with PPN co-ordinator.

Community Recognition Fund -
Successful Applicants so far 

€14 million to deliver 161 community projects across the country through the Community Recognition Fund which includes €496,058 for projects in Co Leitrim as follows,

 

Dromahair Tidy Towns/Development Association Dromahair Garda Station refurbishment and change of use to community hub and men's shed €176,590

 

County Wide)( Leitrim Volunteer Centre Community bus €73,015

 

Mohill, Lough Rynn Dragons Boating Club New shed and equipment €84,000

 

Carrick on Shannon Leitrim County Council and Aura Leisure Centre Centre upgrade works €77,400

 

Carrigallen, Carrigallen Tidy Towns Carrigallen town walkway

€85,054

 

Congratulations to all the successful applicants and especially to our Leitrim PPN member groups. 

Under this 2nd round of funding a further round of funding is open to applications before February 28th next.

Local Enterprise Week 
Mon 3rd March to 7th March

Local Enterprise Week is organised every year by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices across the country. This year Local Enterprise Week takes place from Monday 3rd March to Friday 7th March!!

Sport Ireland Age & Opportunity Active National Grant

The fund offers financial support to local clubs, groups and organisations, nationwide who promote increased participation in recreational sport or physical activity for older people.

 

Deadline: 28th February

Young Artists, It’s Your Time to Shine! (Closing date fast approaching)

The Texaco Children’s Art Competition is now open! All young artists are encouraged to submit their artwork and showcase their creativity!

 

How to Enter:

Create your artwork using your favorite materials, your entry should not be smaller than A4 or larger than A2 before it is mounted, which is optional. Please submit your artwork in flat format only, it should not be rolled, folded or framed.

 

Deadline: 28th February

Teagasc FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards 2025

The Teagasc/ FBD Environmental Sustainability Awards aims to promote environmentally sustainable farming.  The awards highlight the progress farmers are making to lighten the load of farming on the environment, while continuing to produce high quality, nutritious food, in a profitable manner.

 

Deadline: 6th March

Generators grant available through TAMS

Backup PTO (power take-off) generators are available for grant aid under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3).

 

Farmers may apply for generators under the Dairy Equipment Scheme (DES).

 

Dairy Equipment Scheme (DES) at 40% grant rate, with a €90,000 investment ceiling.

 

The investment is open to all farmers who declare the minimum eligibility requirement of five hectares under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) scheme either in the year of the application or the year before.

 

There is no requirement for farmers to be milking cows in order to be eligible for a backup PTO generators.

 

For all other TAMS queries, contact TAMS 3 Admin on 053 916 3425.

Queries can be emailed to: tams@agriculture.gov.ie

 

Deadline: 7th March

2025 ESB Wind Farm Community Funds

This fund is available to community and voluntary groups, non-profit groups or organisations with a charitable status. 

The Wind Farm Community Funds will prioritise projects and initiatives that support and benefit the areas surrounding ESB wholly owned and co-owned wind farms, in the following categories:

• Education and skills.
• Health, safety and wellbeing.
• Environment and habitat conservation.
• Energy efficiency and sustainability.
• Culture and heritage.
• Recreation, sport and social inclusion.

 

Deadline: 7th March

Creative Ageing Writing Bursary 2025

Applications are now open for the Age & Opportunity Creative Ageing Writing Bursary, which supports artists, writers, and arts workers in reflecting on the arts and ageing in Ireland.

 

To mark the 30th anniversary of the Bealtaine Festival, they are commissioning an essay exploring the learnings, challenges, and insights from the past 30 years.

 

The bursary is open to practicing artists as well as those interested in contributing to this discussion.

 

Deadline: 12th March

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund Fourth Call for Category 2 applications 

The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund Fourth Call for Category 2 applications is now open.

 

Deadline: 14th March

Foras na Gaeilge Summer Camp Scheme 2025 Scéim na gCampaí

Foras na Gaeilge is providing funding for appropriate Summer Camps through Irish for young people (3 to 18 years of age).

 

This is a nonprofit scheme to keep the camp fees low for the young people.

Grants are provided out of public funding, and Foras na Gaeilge has statutory duties to ensure value for money for all funded projects.

 

Deadline: 14th March

RTÉ Toy Show Appeal

Children and family charities working at local, regional and national level can apply for a grant under one of the following thematic strands:

• Addressing Essential Needs
• Improving Health and Wellbeing
• Creativity and Play

 

Deadline: 14th March

Lidl Plus LGFA Club Rewards Scheme

Lidl Ireland has announced the return of its Lidl Plus LGFA Club Rewards Scheme, which gives communities the chance to support their local clubs and earn rewards through its stamp card initiative.

 

Lidl customers can register through the Lidl Plus app and sign up to be part of the rewards scheme to earn rewards for their local club.

 

Deadline: 16th March

Children’s Promise Grants Programme

The Katharine Howard Foundation (KHF) ‘Children’s Promise’ Grants Programme aims to support community-based organisations working with young children and their families in disadvantaged areas in Ireland, who may not reach their potential due to the corrosive impact of poverty.  The programme is a promise from KHF to provide financial and other supports to selected organisations, to support and develop the potential of the children engaged with the organisations.  It aims to build on the powerful work taking place at statutory and community-level to address child poverty.  

 

Deadline: 20th March

Adopt a Monument Scheme

The Heritage Council is now inviting groups to join and to adopt a monument in their locality. This scheme brings monuments into the heart of your community.

They are interested in hearing from communities across Ireland, including new communities and minority groups, as well as established voluntary groups that have been caring for a monument for years. The Adopt a Monument scheme will provide expertise, mentoring, support and networking, to help preserve and protect the monument for future generations.

 

Deadline: 21st March

Artist in the Community Scheme 

The scheme is open to artists from any of the following artform disciplines: architecture, circus, street art and spectacle, dance, film, literature (Irish and English language), music, opera, theatre, visual arts and traditional arts.

 

The projects can take place in a diverse range of social and community contexts, e.g. arts and health; arts and disability; arts and older people; arts and cultural diversity.

 

Maximum Awarded €15,000

 

Deadline: 31st March

Lyra McKee Bursary Scheme 2025

The Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman is sponsoring one to two aspiring journalists from Ireland to take part in the Centre for Investigative Journalism’s Lyra McKee Bursary Scheme 2025.

 

Created in memory of Lyra McKee, the bursary scheme is a five-month programme designed to support aspiring or early-career journalists from underrepresented backgrounds in the UK and Ireland.

 

Deadline: 31st March

Calling all budding poets & writers..

Mairtín Crawford Awards for Poetry & Short Story 2025: OPEN for submissions

 

Both published and unpublished writers from all over the world welcome to apply.

Entrants must NOT yet have published FULL collection of poetry, short stories or novel.

Poetry Award: Submit 3-5 poems

Short Story Award: story of up to 2,500 words.

Prize includes £500 and “Time to Write” package

 

Deadline: 9th April

Creative Clusters

Creative Clusters is an initiative of the Department of Education and Youth, led by and in partnership with the Education Support Centres Ireland (ESCI) and part of Creative Youth 2023-2027 launched on 28 March 2023 and is one of five pillars of the Creative Ireland Programme.

 

A Creative Cluster will typically consist of between 3 and 5 schools collaborating on the design, implementation, evaluation and dissemination of an innovative creative learning project which supports them to address a common issue or challenge. 

 

Deadline: 10th April

Connected Communities Fund

The new three-year fund aims to foster inclusive, resilient communities and strengthen social cohesion nationwide.

 

This €1.5 million fund will support up to five organisations committed to scaling innovations that bring people together, promote belonging, and empower marginalised communities to shape solutions that work for them.

 

Awardee organisations will receive:

Cash grants of up to €204,000 per project across three years

Access to Rethink Ireland’s Accelerator Programme

Tailored business and capacity-building supports to maximise your impact

 

Join an application clinic at 1pm on Thursday, 6 March or Thursday, 20 March to find out more about the Connected Communities Fund and to ask any questions that you may have.

 

Deadline: 11th April

Spatial Thinking: Inspiring Action through Place- Based Solutions Grant Program

The National Geographic Society is accepting applications for Level I and Level II grants for the Spatial Thinking: Inspiring Action with Place-Based Solutions.

This funding opportunity supports projects that identify a challenge related to a specific place and its unique conditions and leverages an educational solution using spatial thinking to enable people to act on behalf of our planet and its people.

 

Deadline: 5th May

Writers in Schools Scheme

The Writers in Schools Scheme part-funds visits by writers and storytellers to schools throughout the island of Ireland. Maximum awarded €200.

 

Deadline: at least three weeks in advance of the proposed date of the visit.

Risk Assessment Questionnaire 

Grant Thornton are particularly interested in connecting with PPN's since the network of PPN's has the largest combined number of not-for-profit groups in Ireland - with over 21,000 groups affiliated to the 31 PPN's.

It is anticipated that it will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete the survey. 

 

Deadline: 7th March

Call To Spot Bumblebee Queens Nationwide 

To spot this month: keep an eye out large bumblebee queens that have emerged from hibernation.  The two most common bumblebee queens you will spot this month are the Buff-tailed Bum- blebee (Bombus terrestris) and the White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum).  They are similar to each other – both have one band on the thorax, one band on the abdomen, and a whitish tail.  The Buff-tailed Bumblebee has orange bands and a buff or off-white tail.  The White-tailed Bumblebee has lemon yellow bands and a clean white tail.

Submit your sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre, be sure to bookmark the page so you can access it quickly when you spot a bee!

Have your say on how Community Benefit Funds from renewable energy projects can better serve your community!

The Department is seeking your input on the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) Community Benefit Fund (CBF). These funds, generated by wind and solar farms, support local initiatives and we want to ensure they're making the biggest impact possible.

What's a CBF? It's a pool of funding (at least €2/MWh) provided by RESS projects for 15 years, dedicated to supporting communities near renewable energy developments. 

Who should participate? 

Groups already receiving funding: Share your experiences – what's working, what's challenging, and how can the process be improved?
Groups interested in securing funding: Learn how CBFs can help your local projects and share your ideas.
Community members: Your insights are invaluable! Tell us about the projects that would make a real difference in your area.

 

Submit your feedback or queries via email to CBFConsultation@decc.gov.ie

 

Deadline: 7th March

Corncrake Life Survey 

The purpose of the study is to carry out an independent evaluation of the socio-economic impacts of the Corncrake LIFE Project.  

2025 Global Ireland Young Leaders Programme

Global Ireland Young Leaders Programme is a competition, which encourages Transition Year students in Ireland and Year 11/Year 12 students in Northern Ireland to consider the country’s role in the world in an independent and creative way.

 

The prize for successful applicants will be an opportunity to view first-hand the work of Ireland’s foreign affairs service through a three-day programme hosted at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin.

 

Deadline: 4th April 

Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Program

Phase 1 of Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers program is due to commence March 25th to April (8 evenings). Perfect for anyone with:
- with an early stage idea
- for an innovative business
- that has potential to scale
- and create employment in the North West

Blue Book Traineeship 

Want to experience working for the EU? 

 

5-month paid traineeship Starts in October 2025 You can apply with any Bachelor’s degree This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so don’t miss out!

 

Deadline: 17th March

Real Talk: Disabled People, By Disabled People 

Session 1: Peer Power – What’s In It for Me? Tuesday 4th March 12 noon via Zoom 

Session 2: Smashing Barriers – Why Is It So Hard to Get Support? Tuesday 11th March 12 noon via Zoom 

Session 3: Activism – A Buzzword or Real Power? Tuesday 18th March 12 noon via Zoom 

Session 4: Keeping the Fire Lit – How Do We Keep Going? Tuesday 25th March 12 noon via Zoom

Session 5: Your Local DPO – Why It Matters & How to Get Involved Tuesday 1st April 12 noon via Zoom 

 

Register now by emailing info@ilmi.ie. Sign up for all five sessions and attend the ones that matter most to you. These conversations are about disabled people supporting each other, taking action, and making real change happen.

Looking to start or grow your business in Leitrim?

The LEO Outreach Clinic will be in Manorhub, Manorhamilton on Tuesday 25th February.

 

Contact Leitrim Local Enterptise Clinic now to arrange your meeting with a LEO Business Advisor. 

 

(071) 9650420 - info@leo.leitrimcoco.ie

Hand to Land and Thread in Hand
Ballinamore Junction
Collaborative Art and Cultural Heritage Project
– Call for Community Groups

Hand to Land and Thread in Hand is an exciting art and cultural heritage project led by artist and cultural heritage facilitator Fiona Murphy, developed as part of Leitrim County Council’s Public Art Programme.  This project explores Leitrim’s rich history with the flax industry in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, highlighting the connections between flax farming, linen craft, and household industry.

 

It features three key elements:

 

• A public sculpture at The Junction, Ballinamore.
• A series of workshops for 2nd and 3rd level art students.
• A community engagement initiative inviting local groups to participate in a creative journey inspired by the region’s cultural heritage.

Call for Community Group

They are now seeking a community group of between six to twelve members who share an interest in creative projects and local heritage.  Participants will have the unique opportunity to: 

Deadline for expressions of interest: Midnight, Sunday 9th March 2025.

Sligo University Hospital (SUH) has launched a two-way SMS text messaging reminder service for patients who have outpatient appointments 

Sligo University Hospital (SUH) has launched a two-way SMS text messaging reminder service for patients who have outpatient appointments at the hospital.

 

Patients will receive initial outpatient details, via letter, before the first text message reminder is sent to them ten days before the scheduled appointment.

 

Here’s how it works:

• Initial Appointment Notification: Patients will continue to receive their initial outpatient appointment details via letter.
• First Text Reminder: Ten days before the scheduled appointment, patients will receive their first SMS Text reminder.
• Second Text Reminder: A second SMS Text reminder will be sent three days before the appointment.

If not attending the appointment upon receiving the text message, patients should reply:

‘No’ to confirm that they will not be attending.

Patients who respond with an “No” will receive another message asking whether a further appointment is required.  They should respond with a “Yes” or “No” to this.

 

This is hoping to cut down on missed appointments and therefore waiting lists.

Connecting Community and Tourism 

This community focused regenerative tourism learning journey focuses on how tourism can bring real benefit to your rural community. 

Combining workshop learning, a walk and talk around Belleek village, alongside the development of a tangible action plan to begin your regenerative tourism story, the aim for this day is to bring you inspiration, learning and action.

Facilitated by Teresa O'Loughlin think6 Tourism and Marketing Consultant, you will benefit from her practical yet creative approach to regenerative tourism.

 

Saturday 8th March 2025 Time - 11-00am - 4.30pm Venue - Shen House Cliff Road – Belleek, Co Fermanagh Lunch will be provided.

Children under 8 can visit a GP for FREE

Children under 8 can visit a GP for free. 

 

Register for your child’s card online, you will need:

• Your PPS Number
• Your child's PPS Number
• Your chosen GP – check first to make sure they take part in the scheme

National Tree Week

'Planting Trees, Growing Together'

From Sunday 9th March to Sunday 16th March 2025 National Tree Week, Ireland’s largest annual tree celebration, is proudly organised by the Tree Council of Ireland in partnership with Coillte.  This special week invites communities across the nation to come together to appreciate the beauty and crucial importance of Ireland’s trees.

To support this initiative, Coillte is supplying sapling trees to County Councils for distribution to communities nationwide. 

Exciting News for Local Development Companies

Last week marked an exciting milestone for all Local Development Companies across Ireland.

 

Wednesday 12th Feb, marked the official launch of the newly rebranded Local Development Companies Network, formerly known as the Irish Local Development Network.

 

This transformation reflects  continued commitment to supporting communities and driving positive change nationwide.

 

Leitrim PPN is based in Leitrim Development Company, Drumshanbo.

New Measures to Enhance Electricity Grid

Minister Darragh O'Brien TD has announced new measures to enhance the electricity grid. The Minister met with representatives from Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and ESB Networks to discuss the Storm Éowyn response and the impact on customers.

 

This will be welcome news for Leitrim residence and highlighted by Leitrim PPN in the Dail recently.

Emigrant Remittances & the Family in Post-Famine Leitrim

The Leitrim Gathering are delighted to highlight an early event that explores the deep connections between Leitrim and its emigrant past.

Join historian Fiona Slevin, PhD, for a free online talk as she delves into the letters, lives, and legacies of Leitrim’s emigrants after the Great Famine.

 

Thursday, 6th March - 7pm - Online 

FREE Age Friendly Health & Wellbeing Festival 2025 for Older People in Partnership with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo! 

Join Age Friendly on Friday 28th of March 11am until 3pm for a day filled with interactive workshops, guest speakers and exciting exhibitors focused on improving your health and well-being.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with local community organisations & services. 

 

Free refreshments & free entertainment will be provided, with John Lynch as our MC.  Registration open from 11am.  Please register for the event by calling 0469248899 or emailing healthyagefriendlyhomes@meathcoco.ie

 

5 towns in Leitrim are included for Transport Pick up and Drop off

Manor, Drumshanbo, Ballinamore, Carrick and Mohill.

 

Transport can be booked by phoning  046 924 8821

Public Library

More than 13,000,000 items held by public library services across the country, with more than 76 million items issued since 2018 and 765,000 library members across the country.

 

Borrow a Home Energy Kit from a Leitrim County Council Library

Home Energy Saving Kits can help to cut down on energy costs and improve your energy efficiency!
Each kit contains five easy-to-use tools that focus on major areas of energy use in the home, like heating, hot water, and electricity.
The kit tools can help identify issues such as poor insulation, lack of ventilation, or energy-hungry appliances that might be driving up your bills.

You can borrow a kit for up to two weeks from any Leitrim County Council library branch. Due to their popularity, there may be a waiting list, so please enquire at your local branch to join!