Tourmakeady planning for the future

COMMUNITY concerns and the needs for the Tourmakeady area have been presented to local councillors.

Members of Castlebar Municipal District held their monthly meeting in Halla Tuar Mhic Eadaigh where they hailed the community work that has yielded great results in the locality.

Tomás Ó hÉanacháin, of Coiste Pobal Tuar Mhic Eadaigh, thanked councillors for their support of projects over the years, such as the playground, footpaths, sports centre, car park development at the halla, and renewable energy initiatives - an energy masterplan is being launched this month.

Going forward, the geopark was a great opportunity for the area and they were 100% behind it, he said.

The local 'wish list' includes a memorial garden and looped walks commemorating the Srah ambush, works to improve the Srah-Partry road, Churchfield Cemetery extension, new village signage, benches and bollards at the playground, an extension of the sewerage system to the local colaiste and removal of a dangerous bend there.

Housing is another key issue, with concern about planning for local people to build and live in their own area. Internet access also needs to be improved.

Elected members asked that projects be prioritised, and they hailed the work of local people in bettering the community over many years, with special mention given to the late Deirdre Kavanagh.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne agreed that planning is vital, but it is something councillors can do very little about. Three years ago a directive issued that banned them from discussing applications at meetings.

Pressure had to be kept on politicians at national level on matters relating to planning, he said.

Councillor Donna Sheridan said she wished they had more influence when it came to planning. With difficulties in getting planning permission, the cost of materials, and getting people to build homes, it was an uphill battle.

She hailed the geopark project as one of the best things to come out of this area, where they have a 'beautiful, untapped resource'.

Councillor Ger Deere said he likes to see communities working together. You could see what they can achieve and Tourmakeady was an example of that.

The geopark, he added, has the potential to be bigger than the Burren, and that was phenomenal' for the whole county.