Kinlough set to join Leitrim County Council’s Town Teams

Kinlough has been selected as the next town in Leitrim to establish a Town Team. 

A meeting took place in Kinlough Community Centre on October 3 to gauge interest in forming a town team.

Several town teams have been established in Leitrim, starting with Carrick-on-Shannon in 2014, followed by Manorhamilton, and recently, Ballinamore has been selected.

Town teams come under the Town Centre First policy which was launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development in February 2022. 

The goal is to develop town centres that are lively, attractive and sustainable places to live, work and visit while also serving as the service, local, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community.

Town teams typically consist of eight to 10 people composed of business owners, residents, and community representatives, offering them the opportunity to revitalise their town.

Approximately 15 people were in attendance at Thursday night’s meeting in Kinlough.

A presentation was delivered by Johanna Daly, Town Regeneration Officer with Leitrim County Council.

Ms. Daly explained that the role of town teams is to develop a comprehensive plan outlining the objectives they aim to achieve for the town over the next 10 to 20 years.

Funding would then be sought for these plans from the Government.

Leitrim businesses react to ‘disappointing’ budget

Leitrim businesses disappointed after government fail to reduce VAT while raising minimum wage in Tuesday's budget

“Kinlough is in a very unique position thanks to the Kinlough Community Development Company and its special advisory committee that came up with the Kinlough, Tullaghan, Askill and Glenade plan,” Ms Daly said.

The plan closely resembles a Town Centre First plan.

Earlier this year, €10,000 was given to Kinlough by the Government under the Town Centre First Policy.

The same amount was given for Dromahair and Ballinamore. Manorhamilton received €30,000.

These funds can only be utilised to conduct a health check for the towns, which has already been completed for Kinlough, and to form a town team.

Once a town team has been established, a consultant will be employed to give training to the town team to help with aspects such as funding applications and information on funding streams.

“The role of a member of a town team takes a lot of work and dedication,” Ms Daly said.

“It gives the chance to become a local expert in your area and to know what the priorities are. Nobody knows what the community needs best more than the people who live and work there every year.”

Expression of interest forms were handed out to those in attendance, and they are to be completed by October 17. Forms can be posted or emailed to tcf@leitrimcoco.ie 

A second meeting will be held approximately one to two weeks after the forms’ submission deadline.

READ MORE: Leitrim benefits from €900,000 funding pot under Community Climate Action Programme