Annual Wee Neilly Hospice Day

The second Annual Wee Neilly Hospice Day will be held in Smugglers Night Club, Arranmore Island, on Saturday 4th May, 2014, starting at 3pm through to late. Its set to be a day and night of music and dance all in aid of Donegal Hospice. There will be music by Trad na Nog, with Rambling fever performing later in the evening followed by a country disco. Compare will be DJ Tubsy and the day will also include James Micky Crew, Marching bands and lots of prizes. For more information please contact Thomas on 0878608776 or Mary on 0866076802.

The Swell Festival Arranmore, July 2014

This year The Swell Festival, a music and arts festival, will be taking place on Arranmore Island on 11-13th July 2014. The festival will be located at the Arranmore Holiday Village about 1km from the ferry port.

The Swell Festival is a festival collective run on a not for profit basis, and in order to guarantee that the festival runs we need to ensure that the minimum amount of money required is raised, so we will run a fundit campaign where you can pledge to buy a variety of packages through the fundit page, with payment by bank card. The payment is only taken from your account in the event that we reach our minimum target, thereby ensuring that if you pay for a ticket we can guarantee you will have a festival to attend, and if we don't reach our minimum target, your account will not be debited.

So if you want to make sure our splendidly fantastical festival goes ahead buy one of the options available, and get all your mates to come too! Cheers!!

Camping is available onsite and will open on Friday 11th July and close on Monday 14th July. Bands and performers that would like to be considered for inclusion in our lineup can email a short biography and links to their videos and music to swellfest@gmail.com.

CCB/ AGM Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór Teo Reminder

CCB /AGM Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór Teo

28/04/2014

CCB - AGM

An Chultúrlann

5:00 in

28 Aibrean /April 2014

Clár-Agenda

Moladh Miontuairiscí an CCB deireanach /Adopt Minutes of Previous AGM

Tuairisc Oibre na Bliana / Annual Report

Tuarascáil an iniúchóir ar Thuarascáil Airgeadais an Chomharchumainn / Auditors Report & Financial Statement of Comharchumann

Ceapacháin an Iniúchóir / Appointment of Auditor

Toghcháin & Ceapacháin an Choiste Bainistíochta / Election & Appointment of Management Committee

AGE - AOB

Electric Bike Hire on Arranmore Island

Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh are delighted to announce a new partnership with Grassroutes to provide electric and hybrid bikes for hire on the island. The bikes are available to hire from the community centre daily from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 1pm to 9pm Saturdays. Rates: e-bike €15 for 3 hours, hybrid bikes €10 for 3 hours. Bikes are an excellent way to see the island and there are numerous routes to explore. To book call 087 0983749 or call in to see us.

Result for Proposal for Island Community Council

A proposal was delivered to all households on the island asking each islander

Should an Island Community Council be setup on Árainn Mhór?

Anyone over 18 had a vote. They were asked did they agree or disagree with the statement and asked to sign. It was observed that many households thought it was 1 vote per household and not per person. As a result, we only included those valid signatures. It was also observed it was difficult to collect signatures within the timeframe due to people not being at home and the festivities. 

A public count took place at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh at 5pm on Saturday 19th April 2014. John Mc Hugh, Michael Early and Denis O’Donnell carried out the count.

The results were as follows:

Yes - 266

No - 4

Absent - 79

There was a resounding positive outcome and as a result a steering group was created and boundary was discussed.

The steering group was created consisting of the following islanders:-
Annie Bonner
Michael Early
Shirley Gallagher
Denis O'Donnell

The boundary was decided to be as one to create a united island.

Further people are welcome on the steering group.

The steering group will work through Muintir's guidelines and policies and will decide the best way forward for the island of Árainn Mhór's community council.

The next Steering Group Meeting will take place on Thursday at 1pm at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh with the following Agenda;
1. Election of Officers (Chairman, Secretary, & Treasurer)
2. Number of seats on the council.

Anyone who wishes to sit on the steering group are very welcome to join.

Thanks to all who participated and to those who spent time collecting the polls and An Ionad for the use of the premises..

Easter Weekend on Arranmore

Easter Greetings from Sunny Arainn Mhor

Easter came with a flourish to the island of Árainn Mhór in 2014.  It brought with it, islanders returning home from working abroad, holiday makers from near and far and wonderful sunshine which brought in many day trippers. Fifteen Irish Americans traveled from Beaver Island and their mainland port Charlevoix, Michigan to embrace their heritage, make music and have some craic.  For some it was their virgin voyage.  

The Dunbrody famine ship New Ross, Co Wexford

 In 1847, during the famine, the society of friends (the Quakers) sent 2 famine (coffin) ships from Árainn Mhór to Beaver Island, USA, where they settled and lived much as they had done here on this side of the Atlantic, fishing, farming and  getting on with life. Many of the names are the same on both sides of the ocean; I met a man called Larry Cross whose mother’s maiden name is my own, Shirley Anne Gallagher. Their community has developed a unique identity that was enhanced by the island's isolation from the mainland. Church services and even ordinary conversations were conducted in Gaelic for many years. The twinning of the two islands in 2000, strengthens the bond from the famine times. The Beaver Islanders came as tourists and left as friends.  They returned to their roots on Árainn Mhór Island for Easter 2014 before traveling onwards to Donegal Town, and Dublin before returning to the Great Lakes. 

Danny Gillespie and his wife Tami and children Shannon and Murphy are on Irish soil for their first time.  Danny Johnston is 74 years of age; he has recently been inducted into the hall of fame in Michigan for his contribution to traditional music for fiddle playing.  He is a great performer and works with other traditional artists.  It was a true pleasure to listen to Danny (fiddle) and the Beaver entourage Danny Gillespie (fiddle), and Jesuit Brother Jim Boynton (guitar) from nearby Mackinac Island.

From L-R Neil Gallagher (guitar), Eamon Dolly (flute) Danny Johnstgon (fiddle),  Danny Gillespie (fiddle), Brother Jim Boynton (fiddle) in Neilie's Bar, Árainn Mhór

The following evening, further east in Jerry Early’s bar, the Beaver island gang mixed with Anne Conaghan, John Flanagan, Eamon Dolly, John Gallagher, Jerry Early and Aine from the Port played bodhran and spoons were played by City Councillor from Charlevoix Shirley Gibson and Cheryl. Anne, John and Eamon are rooted to playing traditional music.  They rarely sing.  Jerry and John play folk which is mainly Irish with some Scottish tunes thrown into the mix, a nod to the place John has been raised in by his Donegal parents.  It was interesting to see and hear the manner in which the Americans played.  The Beaver islanders played the tune of the first verse of a song, then they sang two verses of a song, while the guitar accompanied the singer, then the melody was played on the violins as a bridge (a break, middle 8 for the singers). The song was then finished by the singers harmonising to finish the song.  It was beautiful to hear.  

There was a distinct French Canadian style to many of the songs with others celebrating the traditions of where they live such as the ‘Maple Syrup Song’.  The generosity of sharing of the story of the song as well as the songs themselves was a bonus, a memory to treasure.  The song 'The Boys of Blue Hill' is a standard song, an easy song to learn and it allows learners to play with more experienced players. Anne suggested it to allow John and Dara to join in and Brother Jim pipes up 'Wow, I know that tune, a Native American Indian guy taught me that years ago’. So the chords entwined across the sea as Dara Flanagan aged 11 started the tune with the tin whistle. The haunting flute created another layer of beauty threading  through the tones of the reeds and the strings of the fiddles and guitars.  Local Andrew Early sang 'The Rocks of Bawn' and later 'The Jersey Bull' telling their story in rhyme and verse .

‘Overwhelmed’ is the one word Anne, an accomplished musician describes the night and she expanded to say "It was a completely different flavour; there was a courtesy in not clashing the cultures and learning from each other.  The style of play is unique to each player, the fiddles harmonized so beautifully that they became art forms in their own right.  A completely unique experience - a memory to treasure forever, the unusual and the familiar together in unison."   Anne’s roots are on Arainn Mhor, both her parents are from the island and have returned once more to their roots after spending most of their working lives in London.  Anne said "I feel at home here but it's not my home". She visits often from Beal Cú, Fermanagh where she lives with her family, husband John and children Kieran and Dara teaching and playing traditional music in all its shapes and forms. The musicians played for nine hours from 6pm to 3am, a fitting tribute to our cultural heritage and diversity.

They played with the Árainn crew combining the tunes of Árainn Mhór, Ireland and the shores of Lake Michigan.  Playing with musicians of many disciplines from fiddle, guitar, flute, accordion, tin whistle, drum and piano, the passion and flair for music was a joy to behold.  They played for a good part of Saturday in Killeens Hotel before heading east to Neilie’s pub where Neil Gallagher accompanied them on guitar and Eamonn Dolly on flute, where Michelle Gallagher gave us a song ‘Black is the Colour’.  'Danny boy' is the Beaver Island theme tune and was the finale and the Ulster Anthem was a fitting end to the Arranmore Island pub sing song.

 

From L-R Eamonn Dolly, Paddy Gallagher, Anne Conaghan and Dara Flanagan

Easter Monday, the Árainn Mhór pipe band came out to say 'Slan go Foill' (bye for now) to the Beaver Islanders and Congratulations and Se de Bheatha (welcome) to our Tug-O-War World Champion Edward Gallagher and his team Clomany B.  His sister Annette put on a spread fit for a King and indeed the Island King himself Eddie 'Smiler' Boyle was there to spread the cheer.  Anne Conaghan (accordion) was back with the old reliable local musicians Connie (drums), Eamon (flute), Paddy (accordion) and Dara on tin whistle.   The sun shone, the kids danced and Arranmore on the edge of the world embraced everyone and reached out to all cultures and bound us together through song, music and laughter.

By Shirley Gallagher

Introduction to Sailing Session

Cumann na mBád, Árainn Mhór will hold a two hour 'Introduction to Sailing' session on Thursday 24 April 2014. Sessions will run in the morning from morning 10.30am to 12.30pm and then in the afternoon from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Limited places. Ages are from 12+ and the price is €20. Members only. Membership forms are available from Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh.

World Champions to Visit Arranmore

As some of you might remember from the story earlier in the year our very own Edward 'Mary Eddie' Gallagher was to be competing in the Tug-o-War World Championships along with his team 'Clonmany B' in February this year. As many of you now know they not only done well but battled through with huge success in the end to be crowned World Champions for 2014.

We're all very proud of Eddie and his teams achievement and are delighted to announce that Eddie and the team will be visiting Arranmore Island tomorrow with their World Championship medals. There will be a reception for them tomorrow, Monday 21st April in Killeens of Arranmore from 3.00pm to 5.00pm and everyone is welcome to come along and meet the team.

Carwash in Aid of Arranmore Lifeboat

Carwash, Easter Monday, 21st April, 12pm Leabgarrow and 3pm Burtonport Pier in aid of Arranmore Lifeboat. Call over to get your car shiny and clean and support your lifeboat service!

Fund Raising for Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada

The Parents Association of Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada are organising several fun events during the Easter holidays in aid of school funds. If you are unable to attend or you wish to make a monetary donation or donate a raffle prize, please leave donations with school office. Many thanks for your continued support and we hope an enjoyable time will be had by all. Refreshments will be served after the game in Early's Bar.

Dads vs Lads football match at Rannagh Park, 1.00pm.

Monday, 21st April 2014.

Refreshments will be served after the match in Earlys Bar.

___________________________________________________________________________

Easter Quiz and Raffle, Teach Phil Ban, 9.00pm.

Monday, 21st April 2014.

Arranmore Walk of Remembrance 2014

It is that time of year again and we are getting ready to do our 3rd Walk of Remembrance on the island. We were delighted with the crowd we attracted last year with over 100 signatures in our book so hopefully more people will join us this year. 

For the last two years we raised money for the North West Cancer Group and this year we as a committee decided to share the money raised this year between the Donegal Cancer Bus and the Irish Kidney Association. These are both great causes so we would appreciate any help be it prizes for the raffle, a donation, anything big or small will go along way.

We will meet at 11.30am in the Community Centre with the walk starting at 12noon sharp and we will get back in time to enjoy a wee cuppa, have a chat, do the raffle and release the balloons.

It is a lovely day just to get together as a community and remember all our loved ones who are no longer with us and those who are living away from home.

Elaine Barney Boyle

Arranmore Utd Win the Title

Arranmore United are celebrating winning the Glencar Inn Saturday Division Two with a 4-0 win over Tullyvinney Rovers at Rannagh Park. Two goals from Gavin McGlanaghey and efforts from Chris McGlanaghey and Daniel O’Donnell secured the title for the side managed by Jerry Early.

“It was breezy and we were a little nervous until we managed to get the first goal,” Early said afterwards.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get the breakthrough but once we did it settled us and we played good football from then on.”

Arranmore opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Mark Ward went on a great run down the right wing and crossed superbly to find Gavin McGlanaghy on the edge of the box. He made no mistake as he powered home his sides opening goal. Fifteen minutes later it was a case of deja vu as Ward went on another run down the right and put in an even better cross this time.

Again, it was Gavin McGlanaghy who benefitted when he controlled and rifled home number two, which, resulted in huge cheers from the big number of onlookers. Tullyvinney had a great chance to get one back when a through ball fell to Marty Alexander but he scuffed his shot and Frankie Early in the Arranmore goal gathered his tame shot.

On the stroke of half-time, Arranmore almost certainly killed the game off following good play from Benny McGarvey and Gavin McGlanaghy. This resulted in another goal with Christopher McGlanaghy finding the net as he finished well to make it 3-0 at the break. It was almost time to take the champagne out of the ice bucket.

To the away side’s credit they came out fighting in the second half and pushed a lot more men forward without really threatening Early in the Arranmore goal Gavin McGlanaghy had a chance to get his hat-trick but Nigel Hegarty denied him on two occasions - the latter resulting in the ball rebounding to Daniel O’Donnell, who volleyed brilliantly into the top corner to make it 4-0 and guarantee that the title was on its way to Arranmore.

It was the first time the Islanders won a trophy on their home patch, with their most recent success being the 2006/07 CT Ball Division Two. Arranmore welcome Keadue Rovers on Saturday and will be presented with the Division Two trophy after the match.

Story - Donegal Democrat

Photo - Kayla Early

Kayaking Sessions

Cumann na mBád, Árainn Mhór are holding their first kayaking sessions next Thursday 17th April, weather permitting. Places limited, book early to avoid disappointment. Members only.

11am to 12pm Ages 8-12
1pm to 2.30pm Ages 13-16
3pm to 5pm Ages 17+

All sessions are weather permitting.

Pipeband Practice

There will be no Pipeband practice this Thursday. However, there will be a rehearsal practice on Wednesday the 16th in Killeens Hotel, at 6:30pm for the Easter Sunday parade.

National School Enrolment

Clarú / Enrolment

Anyone wishing to enrol their child in Leabgarrow or Aphort National Schools for 2014/2015 may do so by phoning the school or by calling into the school to pick up an enrolment pack on or before Friday 11th April.

Tá fáilte roimh duine ar bith gur mhaith leo a pháiste a chlárú i scoil na éibe nó scoil Aphort don scoilbhlianin úr, glaoch a chuir ar an scoil nó cuairt a thabhairt ar an scoil le pacáiste clárúcháin a phiocadh suas ar nó roimh Dé hAoine 11ú Aibreán.

Arranmore Win 3-1 to Curragh

Arranmore got back to winning ways with this hard fought 3-1 win away to Curragh Athletic!! With changes made to the team following last weeks draw, in came Rua, Paul McGarvey, Daniel Rocky and out went Gavin, Przemeck and Mark Ward.

The game started crappy with both sides fighting for possession in the middle of the park with most of the chances coming from set pieces with Wan Dan coming close several times as he seen his effort blocked on the line at one point. Benny McGarvey just missed the target with a half volley following another corner. Paul McGarvey had to make way with 20 mins on the clock as he got a really bad gash on his nose and on came Mark Ward in his place. Arranmore took the lead in the 30th min when the ball was played out wide to Declan who took a touch before putting in a brilliant cross for Daniel Rocky to head home.

Minutes later Arranmore doubled the lead after some quick thinking from Benny McGarvey when taking a free kick 20 yards from goal. As the home side were set for the shot Benny slid the ball through to Chris who took a touch before Wan Dan took control and smashed home from 12 yards.

Half time 2-0

Curragh stepped it up in the 2nd half but Arranmore dealt well with Diver, Chim and Wan keeping the back door shut for the majority but Gary Heaney did get a goal back as he ran onto a through ball and finished in the corner. With their tails up after this Curragh looked as though if there was to be a next goal they would be the one's getting it but Arranmore defended well and got the 3rd as Przemeck rose above everyone in the box to head home following a brilliant cross in from Mark Ward. Team performance from both sides!!

Team: Rua, Wan Dan, Chim, Gerard Diver, Declan Proctor, Daniel Rocky, Benny McGarvey, Paul McGarvey, Marty Proctor, Christopher McGlanaghy, Doalty Doyle. Subs: Jason, Conor, John G, Przemeck, Michael Regan and Mark. Conor, Przemeck and Mark Ward used.

With that win came the news that Cranford Utd ran out winners against Gweedore Utd, our closest followers. Long and short of it now is that with a win next weekend against Tullyvinney Rovers at home, this will result in Arranmore winning the league. Rannagh Park, next saturday 1pm kick off! Come out and support the lads!!

Empowering Coastal Communities

Empowering Coastal Communities, Waterford April 30th - May 1st 2014

Waterford coastal community is making it happen in Waterford on the 30th April by examining strategy, funding, processes for the struggling coastal areas of Rural Ireland. They will explore success stories and the following day, May 1st, will explore 'Making It Happen' with Tom Mc Sweeney, Waterford's City and County Manager Michael Walsh and a host of others. 

Michael Keating from BIM will explore building capacity for innovation and we would hope to learn what can an island surrounded by sea hope to gain from the FLAG.  Flag stands for Fisheries Local Area Group.  It is hoped that FLAG can promote the sustainable development and improve the quality of life in our fisheries dependent areas.

BIM through FLAG provide funding for grant aid right across the seafood industry, from fishing safety to market quality.   This initiative is co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund. 

You can find more information on the FLAG website.

Who is eligible?

Qualifying organisations include:

• Registered co-operatives
• Producer organisations
• Associations
• Voluntary and community groups
• Private companies and individuals with a link to the seafood sector
• Other organisations with legal identity and recognised by the implementing authority

 What’s funded?

Successful projects will address one or more of the following priorities:

• Maintain and support jobs
• Add value to fisheries and aquaculture products
• Support diversification
• Support economic and social restructuring of areas facing difficulties as a result of changes in the fisheries sector
• Enhance economic and social prosperity
• Promote the quality of the coastal environment

For further details on what's funded see the:

• FLAG North Guidelines (pdf 421Kb) 
• FLAG North Detailed Strategy (pdf 1,899Kb) ‌

• FLAG North West Guidelines (pdf 426Kb) 
• FLAG North West Detailed Strategy (pdf 1,714Kb) ‌

• FLAG North East Guidelines (pdf 434Kb) 

• FLAG South West Guidelines (pdf 436Kb) 
• FLAG South West Detailed Strategy (pdf 1,385Kb) ‌

• FLAG South East Guidlines (pdf 408Kb) ‌
• FLAG South East Detailed Strategy (pdf 666Kb) 

• FLAG West Guidelines (pdf 416Kb) 
• FLAG West Detailed Strategy (pdf 752Kb) ‌

For full details of projects see your Fisheries Local Area Development Scheme Brochure (pdf 383Kb)

How to apply:

1. Save the application form to your computer
   
   Fisheries Local Action Group Project Application Form (pdf 363Kb)
   
   Grupai Gniomhaiochta Iascaigh Aitiula Foirm Iarratais Tionscadail (pdf 179Kb) ‌

 

‘Citizen Engagement – Local Government by Local People’

Disability Fund open from July 1st 2014

(The following is a press release from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government)

3^rd April 2014

‘Citizen Engagement – Local Government by Local People’ that was the theme of a speech delivered by Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, Phil Hogan TD at today’s Disability Federation of Ireland’s National Conference at Dublin Castle today.

“For the first time in the history of the State, a framework for public participation, which has been provided for under the Local Government Reform Act 2014, will provide the basis for a formal engagement with the community.  This engagement will be underpinned by regulations and guidelines from the Department which will also allow for engagement of citizens through other mechanisms, including, for example, the use of social media,” said Minister Hogan.

The Action Programme for Effective Local Government particularly identified the need for Local Government to build strong relationships with and gain the interest of local people and to provide for better engagement with the local community. By improving citizen engagement in local government, decision-making will be better informed and strengthened. 

Minister Hogan continued, “It’s crucial that public participation is addressed not just as an ‘add-on’ to a new community-focussed role for local government, but also addresses core areas such as promoting higher voter turnout at elections, issues around local services, budgeting, local charges and should operate in a way that increases understanding on the part of the public generally of local government, how it operates and what it does.”

Speaking more directly to the relationship between his department and The DFI, the Minister said, “The Disability Federation of Ireland plays an important national role as advocate for the voluntary disability sector, and works toward ensuring that Irish Society is fully inclusive of people with disabilities. It gives me great pleasure to be able to support DFI in its endeavours, and my Department provides funding to the DFI under the Scheme to Support National Community & Voluntary Organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services and also under the Scheme for Social Partnership.

“Under this Scheme a new round of funding will commence on 1 July this year,” said the Minister.  “If we are to ensure the on-going sustainability of these programmes and continued investment, it is vital that we are able to demonstrate meaningful impacts for the citizen.  In this regard the design of the new Scheme for National Organisations in 2014 takes account of the need for greater clarity in relation to its objectives and aims.”

“The Department has made provision for some €3.1million in total for the Scheme for the whole of 2014 under both the current and new Schemes.  It has also allocated a further €550,000 to member organisations of the Community & Voluntary Pillar to cover costs directly related to their contribution to policy-making in the social partnership process.”ENDS

(Disclaimer: The publication of Government department press releases in 'An Charraig, The Arranmore Island Community Newsletter', in no way reflects the political ideologies or leanings of the newsletters editors, writers or managers. The inclusion of such material is for information purposes only. 'An Charraig, The Arranmore Island Community Newsletter' is an apolitical publication with the sole interest of the community at its heart.)

Arranmore Utd Fixtures

Arranmore Utd's remaining league fixtures are as follows: 

Curragh Athletic, away, Sat 5th April. 1pm kick off.
Tullyvinney Rovers, home, Sat 12th April. 1pm kick off.
Keadue Rovers, home, Sat 19th April. 1pm kick off.
Milford Utd, away, Sat 26th April. 1pm kick off.
Donegal Town, away, Sat 3rd May. 1pm kick off.

ISLAND COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETING 29th MARCH 2014

A huge thank you to all who attended Saturday's meeting engaged with the speakers and voted positively that an island council is a good idea.  Thanks also to the 12 islanders who put their name forward to sit on the steering group should it be required.  Special thanks to James O Neill, Muintir na Tire, John Walsh Chairman of Comhdhaill na Eireann and Bere Islander and our own Michael Kavanagh.  Thanks to Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh for hosting the meeting and Shirley Gallagher who chaired the meeting.

Waiting to hear the craic!

James spoke clearly and with passion on the benefits of having a community council, a united front, of having the support of a national structure that supports nurtures and guides hundreds of communities all around Ireland.  John shared the journey that Bere Island made from the outset in 2004.  Michael spoke of the potential of future jobs as a result of an island council on the island.  His area of expertise is biomass (wood) and the potential for its growth, production and use on Arainn Mhor  He drove home the startling fact that Arranmore Island spent €1.6milllion on fossil fuels in 2010 and this cost could be greatly reduced (up to 1/3) whilst creating island jobs for farmers, and fitters if we work together and join the dots.

.

PROPOSAL FOR ISLAND COUNCIL

It is proposed that Arranmore Island will set up a community island council based on Muintir na Tire Community Council model.  This was agreed at a meeting with 40 islanders on 29^th March 2014 at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh. 

Muintir was set up in 1937 to promote a spirit of neighbourliness and a community approach to solving problems common to the entire community.  A Muintir Council gives everybody an opportunity to become involved in turning their community into a better place.

The Benefits of an Island Community Council

1.       One voice for the island; unity. 

2.       The council will include all islanders in a democratic process, providing a mandate for the island. 

3.       The Council can provide help and assistance for islanders

4.       Using Muintir na Tire’s guidelines we have the support of a national network of councils and Muintir na Tire’s staff.

5.       Under Muintir’s umbrella we would have charitable status, avail of other benefits such as group insurance and legal support.

6.       The council will be open and transparent and follow Muintir’s guidelines and constitution.

7.       On formation of the council, a system would be setup to engage with other organisations and groups on the island in order to support their aims and objectives.

NEXT STEPS

There will be a house to house drop on Wednesday (Spy) 16^th April and if the inhabitants are absent, their votes will be collected on Holy Saturday.  Only islanders over the age of 18 are eligible to vote and their signature is required to be included as part of the count.  The count will take place on Holy Saturday 19^th April 2014 at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh at 5pm.  All welcome to attend count.

Should the proposal be adopted a steering committee will be created at this time and will discuss election boundaries.

The steering committee is eligible to all islanders over 18 who wish to participate, please contact Shirley Gallagher on shirleyannegallagher@gmail.com or 085 8555792 if you wish to help with distribution of poll.

What is a Steering Committee?

This is a temporary committee of local people which presides over and organises the setting up of a Muintir council.  Members of the steering committee are eligible to nominate and to stand for election on the community council.

The main responsibilities of a Steering Committee

1.       Determines the size of the Council

2.       Carry out the nomination and election process

3.       Undertake a ‘Needs Survey’ of the island.

4.       Disband once the Muintir island council is set up.

Rosses Community Dyslexia Group Course for Parents

Rosses Community Dyslexia Group will host a course for parents on Wednesday 9th April 2014, in Rosses Community School, Dungloe. The course is for any parents whose child has been diagnosed with dyslexia or who think their child may have dyslexia.


Date: Wednesday 9th April
Venue: Rosses Community School Dungloe
Time: 10.00am – 1.00pm


Presented by: Donald Ewing from the Dyslexia Association of Ireland

To Book: call 0879315082

Topics include:
• Understanding dyslexia.
• Understanding the assessment report.
• Accessing support in school, e.g. learning support, Irish exemption, exam accommodations.
• Practical suggestions for parents and helping with homework.
• Planning for the future – second level and beyond.

CCB/AGM Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór Teo

CCB Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór Teo 

An Chultúrlann
5:00 in
28 Aibrean 2014

Clár-

     *Moladh Miontuairiscí an CCB deireanach

     *Tuairisc Oibre na Bliana

     *Tuarascáil an iniúchóir ar Thuarascáil Airgeadais an Chomharchumainn

     *Ceapacháin an Iniúchóir

     *Toghcháin & Ceapacháin an Choiste Bainistíochta

     *AGE

____________________________________________________________________________

AGM  Arranmore Island Cooperative

An Chultúrlann

5.00pm

28th April 2014

Agenda -

     *Adopt Minutes of Previous AGM

     *Annual Report

     *Auditors Report & Financial Statment of Comharchumann

     *Appointment of Auditor

     *Election & Appointment of Management Committee

     *AOB