The community of Arranmore Island brought public representation a little closer to home in 2014 with the election of a new community council. The idea first came to fruition after it was suggested during a public meeting held on the island in November 2013 to discuss the future of the island and its sustainability. The meeting came about following work Dr Shirley Gallagher had being doing regarding feasibility studies for possible projects that the island community could work on which would bring inward investment and job creation. This in turn would enable people to remain on Arranmore and not have to continually leave the island in search of work as has been the case for so many years. The long term goal was to see Arranmore Island as a place its people could remain living in and equally allow its diaspora to return home to live permanently.
From the meeting in November 2013 and with Dr Gallagher working on the SMILGOV project (Smarter Multi Level Governance) a steering committee was formed to work towards the holding of a formal election on the island. This was all done under the guidance of the National Community Council Charity, Muintir na Tíre and within months a date of May 26th 2014 was set to hold the first election of the Arranmore Island Community Council.
The election was a huge success with a turnout of 85% of the islands electorate and with many people who were working or studying around the country and overseas getting involved via postal votes. Following the election the councillors first met in late June for the hand over from the steering council and following the summer break the councillors met again to begin the formal formation of the council in the Autumn.
By November 2014 and again under guidance of James O’Neill of Munitir na Tíre a council chairman was elected and from this officer roles were assigned paving the way for the council to get down to business. The council now consists of 14 members and elections will be held every three years with chair and officer roles voted on by the council each year at its AGM.
The current sitting councillors are; Adrian Begley (Chairman), Frankie Bonner, Seamus Bonner (Secretary), Sally Brady (Deputy Treasurer), Frances Early, Jerry Early (Public Relations Officer), Rachael Early, TC Gallagher (Treasurer), Neilie Kavanagh, Paula Killeen (Deputy Secretary), Noreen Muldowney, Denis O’Donnell (Deputy Public Relations Officer), Patrick O’Donnell and Anthony Proctor (Vice Chairman).
Speaking following the councils last meeting before the Christmas break Council Chairman Adrian Begley spoke of the role of the council and the positive reception the idea of the council has been met with by the community. “I think the council will be a very positive development for the Arranmore community moving forward as it represents the community as a whole and will provide the basis for one strong voice for the people of the island, both here at home and abroad” Adrian said.
“The turnout of 85% of the electorate to vote for the council is unprecedented and just goes to show the interest the community have in having a voice and local representation when it comes to the future and sustainability of their community. The council has been elected by the community to work in its best interests. We as a council very much respect the fact that we are representing a broad swathe of opinion, and will do our very best to do what we can to not only be a voice to ask questions when needed but to work with all bodies and institutions around the country to develop and build upon the already great work that others have been doing for the people of Arranmore Island. The council will be fair and open in its workings and complete transparency for the people of the island we feel as a council is crucial to its success."
On the plans for the future, the council chairman said there was great hope for the island. “There is much scope for the development of the island as a community and our aim is to work for projects that will benefit the people as a whole. In the lead-up to the election last May a needs analysis was circulated in the community asking the islanders to suggest what they felt were priorities. We are currently working through the needs analysis and will be starting 2015 tackling the matters which the islanders feel most important. But ultimately sustainability of our very unique island community is our main goal and we all feel very positive for the future as we know there is so much we can achieve.
“On behalf of the council I would like to thank Dr Shirley Gallagher, James O’Neill of Muintir na Tíre and the steering committee for their hard work in getting the project of an community council this far. We also would like to thank the community for their commitment and support in making the council a reality and we very much look forward to working together with the island community as a whole, both at home and abroad, in the years to come.”
