Arainn Mhor Island Community Elects 16 Councilors

Steering Group Members Dr Shirley Gallagher and Councilor Frances Early at Polling Station, Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh, Arainn Mhor

Voting was brisk all day

On the 26^th May 2014, the island of Arainn Mhor elected Councilors for the first island council.  In fact, 85% gave their opinion by coming to the voting centre at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh, by post, email and proxy.  In contrast, the recent local and European elections had a turnout of 50%.  Based on Muintir na Tire’s guidelines people were asked to choose a balanced council with age, gender and place to be considered and this was carried out by the electorate. 

The sustainable scientist, Dr Shirley Gallagher committed to the IEE funded project Smarter Multi Level Governance (SMILEGOV)[1] in August 2013 and has principally funded the project through her consultancy SysPro;Systems for Progress Limited.  Working with the National Community Council Charity, Muintir na Tire[2] and the Community Council Steering Group, she set up an island community council.  She said

 

Dr Shirley Gallagher casting her vote

‘I would personally like to congratulate all elected Councilors who have been nominated by the friends, family, peers and neighbours.  It is a true endorsement and shows that islanders want unity, cohesion and action.  The council and its sub committees have been set up to unite the island.  I would like to thank everyone involved from those that showed up at the initial meeting on future job opportunities on the 3^rd November 2013, to those who got involved with the poll asking the islanders should we have a council, the steering group, CFFAM for hosting all the meetings and facilitating printing and to the islanders that cast their votes on Monday last and obviously to the Councilors who have agreed to work together to make Arainn Mhor a better place to live, work and play.’. 

Councilors Frances Early and Denis O' Donnell

The Councilors have a broad range of skills and are scattered throughout the island with 9 townlands represented on the council and the age range is spread from youth to elder (20-70’s).  The council provides a broad church of islanders with both cooperative’s represented as well as local businesses and island organisations.  Islanders were asked to record their priorities on a needs analysis form and these have been collated by the steering group so the council has a clear mandate from the people.  

There will be an Inaugural Island Council Meeting at Wednesday 4^th June at 6.30pm at Chulturlann.

Name		Townland	Occupation
Adrian	Begley	Aphort	Clinical Hypnotherapist
Frankie	Bonner	Ballard	Builder
Seamus	Bonner	Illion	CEO CFFAM
Sally	Brady	Ballard	Administrator CFFAM
Frances	Early	Illion	Retired
Jerry	Early	Poolawaddy	Publican
Michael	Early	Ballard	Retired
Rachel	Early	Leabgarrow	Administrator
Theresa	Gallagher	Cloughcor	Housewife
Neily	Kavanagh	Ballintra	Fisherman
Paula	Killeen	Ploghog	Hotel Manager
John	Mc Hugh	Falagowan	Researcher
Noirin	Mhaoldomhnaigh	Ballard	Bainnestoir Com
Denis	O Donnell	Illion	Secretary of Outgoing Steering Group
Patrick	O Donnell	Poolawaddy	Carpenter
Anthony	Proctor	Leabgarrow	Builder

Dr Gallagher explained

‘‘the first step was to listen, then engage and finally to empower people.  The huge turnout highlight that islanders want unity, change, and value being involved.  By providing a democratically elected council for the island with the help and support of Muintir and the steering group, I have left a legacy.  I have hope that the Chairman/Mayor of the island as well as the Mayor of County Donegal will commit to the ‘Pact of Islands’, this will complete the remit of SMILEGOV on Arainn Mhor.  By having to leave the family home at 12, it does provide an inherent ability to bridge gaps and find solutions.  There was a lack of joined up thinking and this new initiative incorporating cooperatives, many island businesses and stalwarts of the community will open a new chapter on life in Arainn Mhor.  The European Funded Climate KIC project that has begun in April 2014 with 2 islanders out of 9 Irish pioneers highlights Arainn Mhor is on the cutting edge of sustainability and I believe it will go from strength to strength”

The island community of Arainn Mhor was a Finalist as a Green Community Award in 2014 under the project Regen Arainn Mhor along with the champion for the island regeneration project, Dr Shirley Gallagher in the Green Leader category.  Thanks to the Red Ferry who supported the initiative (www.arranmoreferry.com)

 

SMILEGOV, a 20 month project is a high level initiative, examining the major barriers to creating a low carbon society on islands.  The project is bringing together various stakeholders and the multilevels of governance required to achieve the EU target of 20% reduction in Carbon and 20% increase in renewable energies by the year 2020.   The crux of the project is to engage all stakeholders including islanders to agree to the Pact of Islands[3], a promise to engage in examination of sustainable practises and achieve the targets of Kyoto.  As a result, the key focus of the project was to create a system of democratically elected representation on an island level on the island of Arainn Mhor.

 

Council Fundraiser Raffle Prize Original Oil Paintings Slieve League by Artist Marie Lafferty and Flat on a Beach by Local Artist Annie Bonner  €2 ticket at Killeen's and Early's.  From L-R Noreen Gallagher, Shirley Gallagher and Annie Bonner

Outgoing Steering Committee Members Shirley Gallagher and Annie Bonner have both donated paintings to provide the council funds.  They are available for viewing in Killeens Hotel and Early's Bar and raffle tickets at €2 a strip can be purchased in these locations.  The raffle will take place during the Summer 2014.

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[1] www.sustainableislands.eu

[2] www.muintir.ie

[3] Pact of Islands

Anyone for Tennis?

Anyone for tennis? CFFAM Árainn Mhór in association with Comharchumann Árainn Mhór Arranmore Cooperative will be offering tennis lessons/matches on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3pm to 5pm at the superb new facilities located at the Baile Saoire. Starting Tuesday 3rd June. Call 07495 20024 to book. Cost €4 per session. Ages 18+.

Basketball Workshop

There will be a basketball workshop held on the island on Friday 13th June, for ages 10 - 14. For more information please contact Ionad Chrois Bhealaigh, Árainn Mhór.

Scoil Aphoirt Ceolchoirm

Scoil Aphoirt will be having their end of year ceolchoirm in Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh tomorrow, Thursday 29th May, at 6pm. Tá fáilte roimh achan nduine!!!! All proceeds raised will go towards school funds. Please come along and enjoy the performance. Thank you for your on-going support.

Healthcare Services for People Visiting Ireland

Anyone travelling from Britain & Northern Ireland, if you have an NHS number, and need to avail of free health care services in Ireland, you will need to have a european health insurance card (EHIC) otherwise you will have to pay for medical services. You can apply online for your card (free of charge) log into nhs.uk and select EHIC.

A Great Night's Craic at the Glen Hotel

A great night was had by all who attended a fund raising quiz in the Glen Hotel last Saturday evening in aid of the new Árainn Mhór Island Community Council. The quiz which raised €205 was organised by John Mc Hugh on behalf of the Steering Group, Shirley Atsyspro (Chairman), Denis O'Donnell (Secretary), Paula Killeen (Treasurer), Annie Bonner, Frances Early and Bernie Green. 

There were 6 teams and the placings were;

1st Place Gli O'celli (the Birds in Italian), Aulino Wann Consultants who carried out an ecological             assessment earlier that day, kept the momentum by winning.

2nd place Blow Ins, TV3 crew were very disappointed they didn't win!

Joint 3rd place  Kafers, Kathleen, Annie, France and Ellen became the Kafers for the night.

Joint 3rd place  Too many Cooks in Poolawaddy, the Cooks (Derek and Bernard John) and Poolawaddians (Patrick, John and Kathleen O'Hara), easily winning the noisiest table at a great nights craic. 

5th Place Africans Laurence and Kathleen went incognito for the night.

LAST PLACE Does it Matter?  Mark Lenty, John Mc Cauley and TC will not be pleased with their wooden spoon but Angela is cool as always.

Fundraising is required for room rental, paper and newsletter to establish the council and for Muintir's fees of €150 per annum. 

Donations for Raffle were greatly appreciated and special thanks to the donors, raffle winners included the following;

A box of Lindt Chocolates was donated by Phil Ban's were won by John Mc Hugh

Bottle of Vodka was donated by the Glen Hotel and won by Bernard John O Donnell 

A family return ticket from Red Ferry (www.arranmoreferry.com) was won by Frances Early

A €20 Comharchumann Arainn Mhor Voucher was won by Mary Mc Daid

A Bottle of Port was donated by Frances Early and won by Kathleen Brady

A Bottle of Wine was donated by Bernie Green and won by Mark Gallagher

A box of  Lily O'Brien Chocolates was donated by Frances Early and won by Denis O' Donnell

A DVD box set was donated by Killeens Hotel and won by Frank Green

A set of kitchen scales was donated by Frances Early and won by Ellen Nappy

Other Donations include the fabulous paintings by artists Marie Mc Clafferty and Annie Bonner which are being raffled at a later date.  The tickets are available from Paula Killeen at €2/ticket.  Date of raffle to be determined.

Thanks to The Glen Hotel for hosting, the football clubs manager Hugh Nancy for the sound equipment, Michael Early for the questions, John Mc Hugh as the evening's compere and Paula Killeen as the Computer!  Thanks to CFFAM for all the printing needed for the election.  Mark Lenty for transportation of supplies, the quiz attendees of course and the steering group who have acted as a team throughout the whole process.  

TV3 are following the story of how and why a community council is needed on the island of Árainn Mhór.  The 3-week programme will be aired Friday 9th February 2015 on TV3. 

Story - Shirley Gallagher 

 

Inaugural Island Community Council Election on Árainn Mhór Today

Mickey Dubh McHugh casting the first ever vote
for Arainn Mhor Island's new Community Council

The first ever election for Arainn Mhor Island's community council is being held today from 9.00am to 7.00pm in Ionad Chrois Bhealaigh (Factory Hall). Todays election will see 16 people nominated thus making a community council of 16 members.

The main aims of the island council are;

•  the involvement of all the people of Árainn Mhór Island in the promotion of the social, educational, cultural and economic welfare of the whole community.
• to represent each and every member of the community and the community as a whole in dealing with local government and statutory bodies to seek where considered necessary, technical support, financial and other assistance in the promotion of the common good and to advise and assist where possible the local authority in the exercise of its duties in the locality.
• to act as an umbrella body to aid and assist all island organisations when needed, promoting and enhancing our image as a whole beyond our shores. 

The election will be overseen by Muintir na Tire's Acting National Director of Services, James O'Neill. Following the election the ballot box will be handed to Mr O'Neill and he will be responsible for counting the votes. He will then announce the results of the election after the steering group have contacted the elected and received confirmation that the elected will serve on the council for the following three years. 

TV3 are following the story of how and why a community council is needed on the island of Árainn Mhór.  The 3-week programme will be aired Friday 9th February 2015 on TV3.

Muintir na Tire Launch New Insurance Service Today on Árainn Mhór

Voters with James O'Neill,Muintir, at launch of Insurance Deal

Muintir na Tire will launch their new service today on Árainn Mhór, a discounted home insurance facility which is exclusive for Households within Muintir Na Tire Areas

      

As part of our work in assisting member Groups, Muintir Na Tíre is delighted to announce that we have arranged with our partners BHP Insurances, a House Insurance Scheme for our members. The average saving of taking out home insurance through this scheme is 20%.

The House Insurance package provided by BHP includes the below service agreement.

 Dedicated BHP contact – Jennifer McTiernan.

 Immediate quotations over the phone. 

 Immediate issue of policy documents. 

Flexible payment options including Card, Electronic Fund Transfer, Direct Debits

For a Quotation please contact Jennifer . 

Freephone :    1890 666 111

Email :jmctiernan@bhpinsurance.ie

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