Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht

Spuds are now growing overhead after the official opening on October 20 of Galway City Partnership’s rooftop balcony garden on the Headford Road. Situated high above Lidl and with a commanding view of the Corrib and across the city, the roof area has been transformed into an urban oasis of tasty and organic vegetables, including carrots, broccoli, spinach and spuds and a variety of herbs and salads. There is even a fig tree in the rooftop greenhouse.

SICAP beneficiaries and community voices took centre stage today in celebrating the achievements of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) at a showcase event opened by Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer. Almost 250 delegates from Local Development Companies, City and County Councils, the Community and Voluntary sector and national representative organisations were in attendance.

Leitrim may find new fame as the origin of a game generating national and international interest. The boardgame Letter Lingo makes time go faster while people are learning or improving their English, for example in Failte Isteach groups. They are also having more fun because of the game, and as word has spread demand has soared. Looking a little likes ‘Snakes and Ladders’ it was launched in April by Leitrim Development Company (LDC) and already people are signing up to join waiting lists for the game.

The Limerick city community of Ballinacurra Weston was “forgotten” in the past by the state, said Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, when he visited the area today. While he could not undo the past, he said the community had the government’s support today. Recently, feuding in the area between criminals has seen people suffer injuries and put Limerick back under a national spotlight.

Breandán Ó Caoimh is a geographer and social researcher who has written at length about activism, housing and community development in the South Kerry Gaeltacht. In a recent paper, he points out that the challenges in Kerry are common in communities not just along Ireland’s western seaboard, but also in rural Wales and Scotland.

Gráinne O Neill, integration support co-ordinator with Carlow County Council, has highlighted the importance of food in bringing people together. Local authorities and community organisations around the country regularly host events to promote integration and she pointed to the success of Tullow’s Multi-Cultural Supper Club - held recently for new arrivals into the county.

Hours before Storm Éowyn swept the country, Fianna Fail’s Dara Calleary was given responsibility for supporting communities. The Ballina native was appointed as Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht on January 23 by newly elected Taoiseach Micheál Martin.