Community
Moate volunteers transform cow park into major visitor attraction
Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park is a true community endeavour - what was once a cow park has become one of Westmeath’s and the Midlands' most popular visitor attractions.
An hour from Galway and 75 minutes from Dublin, it rates highly on Tripadvisor. Remarkably, the park which opened in 2015 is run by a dedicated community group and over 100 volunteers play their part annually - alongside staff - to keep the park running smoothly. KATHY MASTERSON spoke to three people deeply involved in the project.
Community
“If you’re a social enterprise, be proud to identify yourself!”
"I’ve seen so many examples of resilience in towns and villages the length and breadth of the country in recent months. Many of those were social enterprises." - Humphreys speaking at today's 3rd national social enterprise conference.
Enterprise
€1m social enterprise capital grants scheme
A new one million euro funding for social enterprises nationwide was announced on September 6th by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.
Community
Hotelier Mary Mullen: “We never set out to build a hotel!”
The Sliabh Beagh hotel in County Monaghan is Ireland’s only community run hotel. It was set up by a group of visionary, committed locals who formed Knockatallon Development Group which spearheaded the entire project.
Community
“Let the begrudgers at it, but keep going” – say Western pioneers
“The M50 is something I hear about on the radio,” says Kristian Sheridan. He works for a global business you might never imagine setting up its Irish HQ in a small town in the West. Yet, it did just that.
Editor's Picks
Online grinds provider ‘JumpAGrade’ shows value of social enterprises to Ireland
The best way to learn the value to Ireland of social enterprises is to hear about it from the horse's mouth, as heard at the country's first government-organised national conference about social enterprise.
Enterprise
YouthOpia: Can social enterprise help level the education playing field?
Not everyone is fortunate enough to get the same opportunities and support in life. When it comes to third-level education, YouthOpia hopes to help close the gap.
Enterprise
Ireland’s first national social enterprise policy welcomed by sector
As the Irish government unveiled the country’s first national social enterprise policy, positive comments started rolling in from organisations throughout the sector.
