Mizen Community Partnership Launch
The Mizen Community Partnership is excited to announce the launch of the Integrated Strategic Local Development Plan for the Mizen Peninsula and of the Mizen Community Partnership 2015. Mr Ian Dempsey (CEO WCDP) will launch this initiative on Thursday April 16th @11am at the Mizen Head Visitor Centre. It is anticipated that everyone who is interested and concerned about the future of this incredible community will attend. Invitations have been extended to members of the Tourist industry, government agencies, local businesses and entrepreneurs.
The report was commissioned by the West Cork Development Partnership in 2013, it highlighted many areas suitable for development, investment and expansion. A Steering Committee (formed from members of the three Mizen Community Councils; Goleen, Schull and Ballydehob) identified 3 areas from this list which it felt were significantly important, achievable in the short term and represented the interlocking diversity of this unique community; Brand, Food, & Heritage.
The most important aspect of any project is its branding. With this in mind a sub-committee was established to create a brand. It was important to the sub-committee to highlight that the brand should represent all aspects of this vibrant and diverse community of farmers, fishermen, entrepreneurs, artisan producers and tourists.
Food Production was also a key issue with emphasis on the perfect conditions for the development of an extraordinary range of produce, products and services. There are almost 100 enterprises already established on the Peninsula. The sub-committee will work on liaising with these producers to support their development, raise their profile and encourage their expansion.
The third area prioritised was our rich historical heritage. This history of the peninsula stretches from early Neolithic times through the middle ages to the impact of the Great Famine. A comprehensive list of sites has been drawn up with a view to producing a definitive and informative map/guide. In conjunction with this, existing historical walkways and new paths will be sign-posted, marked and mapped. It is envisioned that cycle trails will be a natural spin off from this initiative.
The enthusiastic commitment of the various groups has already borne fruit. Support from many local interest groups has been phenomenal. We look forward to realizing the potential of this vibrant, dynamic and positive community.
Diarmuid Breen Exhibition
Diarmuid Breen’s series titled ‘Existing Realities’ evolve from a box of 1930s photographs found in a Belgium flea market of families and holidays shot with a Box-Brownie camera. Since completing his Degree on Sherkin Island (2012), Cork born and city based, Diarmuid Breen has exhibited at The West Cork Arts Festival, Cill Riallaig Arts Centre and across the sea on Cape Clear Island.
U@BHG is the venue for an exhibition of work by Angie Shanahan, Penny Dixie and Catherine Melvin which opens on Friday 17th and runs for 2 weeks.
The Blue House Gallery is open Mon – Sat from April to September between 11:00 – 18:00 with new exhibitions every two weeks. Please visit our website and Facebook page for details.http://bluehousegalleryschull.com/
You might be aware that Cycle Against Suicide are coming to Schull on Tuesday 5th May. Cycle Against Suicide is an initiative started by Irish entrepreneur, Jim Breen, as a result of his appearance on RTE’s The Secret Millionaire programme. The main objective of the Cycle is to raise awareness of the considerable help and supports that are available for anyone battling depression, self-harm, at risk of suicide or those bereaved by suicide
The Cycle Against Suicide community is determined to let people in every corner of the island of Ireland know that; it’s OK not to feel OK and it’s absolutely OK to ask for help. The 1,400km, 14 day Cycle will start in Belfast on Monday, the 27th April 2015 and will finish in Dublin on Sunday, the 10th May 2015.
Here’s where you can help. We ask your organisation/club to use your contacts to appeal for the following:
- Donations of Baking: We need to provide a lunch for 500 cyclists and we are appealing for baking to be delivered to the Sailing Centre by 10:30am on Tuesday 5th We are asking for small cakes or tray slices such as, flapjacks, brownies, queen cakes, muffins, cookies, light fruit cakes or madeira (No cream cakes please).
We would appreciate if you would contact Aileen Maguire on (086) 1566340 or aileenmaguire14@gmail.com with your name, mobile number and what you intend to bake.
Don’t worry if you can’t bake!! We’ll gladly take donations of fun size packs of Mars or assorted bars, packs of muesli bars or snack packs of breakfast biscuits.
- Help set up on the day: We are looking for some help with marshalling, moving equipment and a bank of people to call on if we need help. If you are such person please contact the schools liaison for the event, Niamh Woods on office@schullcommunitycollege.com.
- URGENTLY NEEDED: Places to stay for cyclists: Local people are asked to open their homes either one or two of the nights in our area, to offer an evening meal, bed and shower to one or more of the cyclists. It doesn’t need to be too fancy – just a place to stay. A bus will run from Bantry (Monday night 4th May) to cater for those staying out on the Mizen peninsula. If you can help out contact Marie Spillane in Bantry on spillanesgala@gmail.com (086) 2328150. The accommodation coordinator for Skibbereen for Tuesday night 5th May is Richie Keating and he can be contacted on cashcskibb@gmail.com.
- Show your support!!: We are expecting the cyclists to arrive in Schull for lunch time so please remember to come out on the day to shout the cyclists on, either individually or with your organisation/club. We ask also that businesses and homes on route make a special effort to decorate their homes with the colours of the logo. Come on let’s paint the town orange!!
Cycle Against Suicide (Schull Committee)
www.cycleagainstsuicide.com
