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

Fundraiser Raised Smugglers Roof

Ownie Greene, Wee Neily Boyle and Paddy Dhonal in Smugglers in 2007

May Day Weekend came to the island with a hint of mist in the air.  After weeks of settled weather the Atlantic front came in with rain showers and the ever present wind.  In the 70’s, there were many ferrymen taking passengers to Arainn Mhor for a fare.  These were the days before the ferry service, and the only set time was the mail boat leaving Arainn, at 10 each weekday morning from Leabgarrow pier.  The Neily Phils had that contract, and still do; Danny still collects the mail from Noreen and Danny Martin each morning and delivers the mail from across the sea.    His brother, Wee Neily RIP passed away in 2012 and Sunday 4^th May saw the 2^nd remembrance day, a sponsor day for Donegal Hospice.  The day was a fitting tribute to Neily who was a great musician.  Neily played the accordion along with stalwarts Paddy Dhonal and Ownie Greene and he was also a member of the pipe band, playing the bagpipes.  

Dodging the showers the musicians from near and far came to play their part and they brought young and old with them.  Mary (James Mickey Mhor) Rodgers began the musical extravaganza with Trad na nOg, a collection of fine musicians and singers, singing sean nos and playing traditional Irish Music.  Unforgettable tunes such as Mary Black’s ‘Katie was sung so beautifully that it is still in my head days later.  

Bands from around the Rosses came from Mulladuff, Keadue, Crickamore, Dungloe Seniors, Maghery and of course Arainn Mhor Pipe band marched in and performed superbly.  Smuggler’s Night club AKA John Neilies, Neily Phils, the hall, and the disco was the venue.  It was a tight squeeze but the MC, Tubbsy, Thomas Costello, who cut his DJ teeth at the venue kept the tempo up and bands moving.  The bands prepared outside in the mist and waited their turn to perform in the crowded dance hall.  The Stacamor’s were there to support their family, providing refreshments for the bands.  Helen came from Manchester to be there with her brother’s, Mum and uncles.  Helen was accompanied from Manchester by Joe Eddie, Kathleen Gaughan and Tony Patsy.  Tony obviously didn’t tell his son, Patrick where he was going for the weekend as I am sure Patrick would have insisted he would have to tag along. 

There was a range of instruments from whistle, recorder, accordion, flute, melodica, bagpipes and of course the drums.  The tunes were a mixture of the old reliables such as ‘Mary from Dungloe’, Wearing of the Green’ and Roddy Mc Corley to the haunting melodies from the Mulladuff flute band.  The children were a joy to watch, some mesmerised, more dancing like there was no one watching.  Barney Og Grady kept his family on their feet, moving with the rhythm just like his Grandad, Barney the Dancer RIP. 

Darren Boyle and his co dancers

  

His cousin Darren O' Donnell, The Maghery band enchanted the crowd with a marching performance in the floor space that remained, to perfect timing with the band.  The bands played on down

towards the pier where both Red and Blue ferries freely carried the bands to the mainland once more.  The ferries ran till late in the evening allowing mainlanders to enjoy the island craic. The Arainn Mhor pipe band with Alec leading the charge and Patrick Poolawaddy on the lambeg drum played magnificently along with my nieces Rachel, Maggie
and many others.

Arainn Mhor Pipe Band

 A session followed with the Mickey Mhors, a musically talented Port family, who played with our regular island performers, Paddy on accordion and Connie on drums. 

Cian & Aoibhe Sweeney

€3,400 was raised on Sunday with donations and a raffle which had prizes galore.   A signed Celtic football shirt was auctioned to Cian Sweeney who was determined to get it and he did at €105. It was a fun day out and thanks to all who played their part.

Words by Shirley Gallagher  

Photographs by Mary Rodgers 

Smugglers full to capacity