Export Date: 22-Apr-2020

Lisdoonvarna

Smart Community Plan.

Part 4 of 4

A Plan by the Community for the Community 1. Introduction Welcome to the Smart Local Management Plan plan June 2019. This plan has been compiled by the Lisdoonvarna community for the Lisdoonvarna community. The plan comes at the end of a twelve month process of working to strengthen the community management capabilities in Lisdoonvarna. sfberber

Your content goes here .. The Wider Project: The project has been funded by Clare Local Development Company and facilitated by a company called eTownz. The project is part of a wider project in Clare where forty communities across the county have been undertaking similar exercises. As many nearby communities are undertaking similar projects and developing local action teams, it creates collaboration opportunities for neighboring communities.

The Four-Part Plan: This document is one of four parts of a community plan for Lisdoonvarna. These represent four top tiers of community planning: Economy, Wellbeing, Environment and Management.

Lisdoonvarna may wish to develop more detailed plans for specific areas within one of the four parts,such as a specific Tourism plan under the Economy heading, or a specific Energy plan underthe Environment heading. Town Teams: The importance to local development of collaboration between local people, clubs, businesses and service providers cannot be understated. eTownz suggests Lisdoonvarna creates teams for each of the four top tiers: Economy, Wellbeing, Environment andManagement. Your content goes here .. > How Did We Get Here? The Lisdoonvarna Smart Local Management Plan plan has been compiled over 12 months from community feedback. eTownz liaised with a small group of dedicated local volunteers to organise and gather the information in this report. > Plan Structure This is a ‘smart’ community plan. It draws on information from different sources and can be updated at any time through the eTownz online dashboard- Click Here . This allows different sections of the community to engage with an ongoing planning process The plan was compiled by creating a ‘model’ of Lisdoonvarna. The information is logged to a database as ‘Record Logs’. Each record log is assigned both a “Log Type” and a “Log Theme”. This provides the framework for the community plan. This modular plan is compiled using the eTownz Dashboard, allowing the plan to be easily updated by the Lisdoonvarna team in the future, adding new project ideas and challenges. Your content goes here .. > What Next? The plan hopes to assist Lisdoonvarna locals with creating a series of community development teams. Each team will cover one of the four top tiers; Economy, Wellbeing, Environment or Management. Teams should be composed of representatives from local clubs, businesses and service providers, as well as interested people from Lisdoonvarna . Teams will set their own agendas for how often they would like to meet, what projects to undertake and so on. Your content goes here ..

> So What Can You Do? If you have an interest in local issues in Lisdoonvarna , there are a number of ways you can get involved: Share: Read and share this report with others Survey: Complete the surveys or register your club/organisation Contribute: Contribute your ideas on any record by clicking on the log record title or visiting the eTownz dashboard Join a team: Register for a team online or attend a meeting to get involved in the Lisdoonvarna plan. 2. Executive Summary

There are many local groups who contribute to the management of the community and its environment. Groups such as the Tidy Towns Committee which help to manage the environment are a great asset to the town. It is felt by the community that a regeneration project that respects the historic character of the town is needed. The public transport to and from the town could be better especially during the summer months and a bus shelter is needed. There is a need for a plan for better water treatment, car parking, and flood defences. Basic services such as ATM points are lacking in the town and this is bad for the economy. The heritage of the town needs to be better managed and the Pavillion Theatre needs to be better managed.

Management, Planning & Coordination Town Team The first step in developing management initiatives in the community is to create & support a team of relevant people and organisations that can help coordinate activities and facilitate change.The team can be small or large and decide its own format. The team may take on its own projects or simply meet occasionally to help coordinate groups with common interests. Members of the team could be comprised of local residents, businesses, club or public service representatives. Team structure can be simple to start with and decide how often they should meet as they see fit.The team can seek to gain a greater understanding of local barriers and opportunities to formulate a plan for future activities. There are also a wide variety of supports available and a well prepared team can help the community can take advantage of these.Building a local environment team helps coordinate cross-community initiatives, helps liaising with service providers, and helps the community understand & address local management challenges. Local Communication Plan Communications is key to effective local development. The town management team may want to work towards communication plans to ensure there are effective channels to communicate messages on local issues & opportunities, such as the work of the town teams.Such a plan might start with identifying local people who would be interested in preparing and implementing a local communications plan. The plan might consider both online and offline channels. Consideration may be given to both promoting the community and its offering to visitors but also keeping locals up to date on local events & activities.

Youth Council & Youth Plan

One challenge in identifying & supporting the needs of local youth is getting them involved in local development. The management team may want to work towards the foundation of a youth council to encourage young people to get involved in community development and to develop a plan for the youth in the area. Local schools and youth-oriented clubs & activities could be involved in the foundation of a youth council or help in a survey of the needs of young people in the area. 3. Summary of Community Stats In this section we provide a summary of key statistics related to the community based primarily on 2016 Census data. In the appendices we provide further detail via charts and below this table are direct links to the data visualisations. 4. Stakeholders

Good local plans should strive to help all stakeholders within a community, especially the most vulnerable. Sometimes, plans tend to focus on the most obvious stakeholders, such as local hotels, but forget about the small business owner working from home; they acknowledge the local football team, but ignore the local bridge club. By building a register of the various local stakeholders, we aim for the Lisdoonvarna Smart Community Plan to be inclusive and relevant to the needs of people and organisations throughout Lisdoonvarna. The image across provides a breakdown of relevant stakeholders types.

Number Number TITLE SUMMARY TYPE Follows Comments

A group that supports community groups and acts as a platform for community issues,. It's mission statement is to manage the assets and associated amenities, for which it Lisdoonvarna Failte - has a vested interest in on behalf of the people of Group/Club 0 0 5418 Lisdoonvarna. T2: Planning & Management T3: Community Council, Planning, Management & Governance

Our aim is to act as a Community Council, overseeing coordinating and organising all community based activities in the town of Lisdoonvarna and surrounding areas, and to act as promoters, organisers and managers of all types of festivals, conferences, and meetings. To promote arid co- ordinate all the social, cultural and economic developments Lisdoonvarna of Lisdoonvarna and townlands of Ballinsheen Beg, Community Council - Ballinsheen Mor, Ballydonoghue, Ballyteige, Caherbarnagh, Group/Club 0 0 5419 Gowlaun, Knockaunvinteera, Knockaskeheen, Rathbaun, Rooska, Toonaghera, East, Kilmoon West, Ballycanoe Sth, Ballycastle, Aughiska Beg, Aughiska Mor, Lauhtmurreda, and their Parishes, to act as a representative body for all commercial and private interests in the area. T2: Planning & Management T3: Community Council

To act as a Community Council, overseeing co-coordinating and organising all community based activities in the town of Lisdoonvarna and surrounding areas, and to act as promoters, organisers and managers of all types of festivals, conferences, and meetings. To promote arid co-ordinate all the social, cultural and economic developments of Lisdoonvarna Lisdoonvarna and townlands of Ballinsheen Beg, Ballinsheen Community Council Mor, Ballydonoghue, Ballyteige, Caherbarnagh, Gowlaun, Group/Club 0 0 Company Ltd. - 5816 Knockaunvinteera, Knockaskeheen, Rathbaun, Rooska, Toonaghera, Kilmoon East, Kilmoon West, Ballycanoe Sth, Ballycastle, Aughiska Beg, Aughiska Mor, Lauhtmurreda, and their Parishes, to act as a representative body for all commercial and private interests in the area. T2: Planning & Management T3: Community Council

The aim of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte is to manage the assets and associated amenities, for which it has vested interest in on Lisdoonvarna Failte behalf of the people Group/Club 0 0 Company Ltd. - 5817 T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance Number Number TITLE SUMMARY TYPE Follows Comments

To establish, promote and operate a community development facility, which will act as a focus on health care, residential health care, respite care, disabled care, day care and the provision of sheltered housing.To furnish and provide the Company's property with such furniture, implements, Lisdoonvarna machinery and conveniences as the Company may think Community Health desirable.To provide gardens, greenhouses and grounds for Group/Club 0 0 Facility Company Ltd. recreation and amusement.To raise funds and help raise - 5819 funds for any charitable purpose.To provide places and facilities for curricular and extracurricular activities for pupils of the Schools of the Parish. T2: Planning & Management, Physical & Mental Wellbeing T3: Physical Health , Planning, Management & Governance, Mental Health

To carry on the business of establishing and organising community development projects of any nature, and to act as promoters of such projects for the benefit of the local community and environs.To carry on the business of promoting all aspects of local historical heritage. To organise talks, lectures, seminars and fundraising events for the North and West Clare upkeep of local historical interests.To carry on the business Job Initiative of promoting tourism and sports. To carry on business as Group/Club 0 0 Consortium Company tour operators and as travel and accommodation agents, to Ltd. - 5823 obtain and provide passengers, travellers and tourists with all manner of travel documents and permits, maps, itineraries, travel and other information and to promote, establish and organise travel clubs; to organise conferences, meetings and excursions. T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

To endeavour, to provide a flexible and accessible rural transport service available to the whole community in Clare and South but with priority given to those people who are socially excluded either by (perception of) disability, low income, social status, gender, age, or otherwise as Clare Accessible decided by the directors from time to time. To work with Public 0 0 Transport - 7970 existing transport providers and relevant agencies to develop Service a comprehensive local transport network, thereby enabling people who are socially isolated at present and entitled to free travel passes to use them.https://search.benefacts.ie/org/038af326-c097-4436- b947-07d21ef128aa/Clare-accessible-transport

5. Assets

Identifying, understanding and appreciating the assets within a community is an important part of any community plan. This plan takes elements from a popular approach to community planning called Asset Based Community Development (ABCD). ABCD works on the premise that positive and effective community plans are built by leveraging existing assets within a community. Therefore, it is important to properly log all relevant assets in this category. .

Number Number TITLE SUMMARY TYPE Follows Comments

Sculptures of musicians and dancers, this enhances the Sculptures - 5387 streetscape of the town. Have 0 0 T2: Streetscape

Corpus Christi Church is a Roman Catholic Church in the West Clare town of Lisdoonvarna. The church was designed in Corpus Christi Church, Gothic Revival style and was built in the 1860's. Lisdoonvarna Have 0 0 Lisdoonvarna. - 5388 is in the Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and . T2: Culture & Heritage T3: Local Heritage

A location where discussions relating to the development and maintenance of the town can take place. Town Hall - 5389 Have 0 0 T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Lisdoonvarna town centre is designated as an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA). It has a distinctive character with a pleasant, well laid-out central market square area. There are a Streetscape - 6015 number of fine unused buildings in the town which present Have 0 0 opportunity for appropriate renovation. T2: Streetscape T3: Built Environment & Landscape

Lisdoonvarna Fáilte Ltd is a community organisation, considered to be the oldest on the island of Ireland and within its remit of facilities the largest in Ireland, that manages this Town's property portfolio on behalf of the community. Lisdoonvarna is unique Have 0 0 portfolio - 6017 within Irish communities as the people of the town own the Spa Wells and surrounding properties and land including the park T2: Planning & Management, Culture & Heritage T3: Local Heritage, Planning, Management & Governance

The community of Lisdoonvarna has an extensive and active network of community groups and organisations, with a great range of community infrastructure. The town has benefited from Community recently developed community, sports and recreational Have 0 0 infrastructure - 6018 facilities. Environmental improvements around the square area have added an attractive focus to the Main Street. T2: Infrastructure & Transport, Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

The town is well serviced by provincial buses between Galway and Bus service - 6029 Have 0 0 T2: Infrastructure & Transport T3: Transport & Logistics

The town square is very well kept but seems very under- utilised. More could definitely be done to incorporate this Town Square - 6025 Need 0 0 central space in festivities and community actions. T2: Planning & Management Number Number TITLE SUMMARY TYPE Follows Comments

There is no branding specifically for the town or the hinterlands. Marketing - 6026 T2: Planning & Management Need 0 0 T3: Planning, Management & Governance

There is no communications strategy or central portal for all Communication portal - community notices. This would be of great benefit to the locals Need 0 0 6028 as well as tourists and prospective businesses. T2: Planning & Management

No bus shelter in the town Bus shelter - 6030 T2: Infrastructure & Transport Need 0 0 T3: Transport & Logistics

There is not enough car spaces in the town, especially during More car parking - the tourist season. Need 0 0 6036 T2: Infrastructure & Transport

6. Objectives

Defining local goals and challenges can often be the most difficult component of a community plan, but it is vital nonetheless. Of course, different stakeholders within the community may wish to prioritise different goals. As such, defining clear goals is a necessary step in selecting projects and preparing a tailored action plan.

The table below provides a themed breakdown of local objectives, which are divided Goals & Challenges.

Number Number TITLE SUMMARY TYPE Follows Comments

While the strength of the town’s community spirit is remarkable, there is a perception that a relatively small number of residents are doing a disproportionate amount of Community the ‘heavy lifting’. To address this, it is suggested that such awareness/ groups could investigate the potential of social networking Challenge 0 0 volunteering - 6050 media to try to broaden awareness and involvement of a wider segment of the community in local affairs. T2: Planning & Management, Physical & Mental Wellbeing T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Make provision for the sustainable growth of the town which will support existing services and encourage further expansion Sustainable Growth - of the service base, whilst retaining its distinctive character; Goal 0 0 5393 T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Man power for Availability of support staff during periods of bad weather, Unfavourable Weather such as storms. Goal 0 0 - 5398 T2: Planning & Management

More joined up thinking needed locally. Progress is being made on this and more soft supports are needed to help this Disjoined approach. - happen. Joined up thinking needed across the North Clare Goal 0 0 5399 area. T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Community volunteer burnout. A strategy to address this Find solution to issues on a long-term basis. volunteer Burn-out - Goal 0 0 T2: Participation & Volunteering 5400 T3: Growing local volunteer base

A large number of community assets but more assistance is Find assistance for needed to help the locals to maximise these resources. community Assets - Goal 0 0 T2: Planning & Management 5401 T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Day center needs a long-term plan so that it can support the community in the future. Day Centre - 5402 Goal 0 0 T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Suggestion that investment should be made in existing infrastructure rather than adding to the community assets in Existing Infrastructure North Clare Goal 0 0 - 5403 T2: Infrastructure & Transport T3: Transport & Logistics Number Number TITLE SUMMARY TYPE Follows Comments

Improvement of walkways and cycleways in the locality, for both visitors and local people. Reduce traffic and can have an Improved walkways - impact on the environment. Goal 0 0 5408 T2: Infrastructure & Transport, Planning & Management T3: Transport & Logistics

No new halls or assets to the community but soft supports for Soft Supports for communities to keep the doors open Goal 0 0 communities - 5410 T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Access to reliable, efficient broadband at a reasonable cost. Many businesses in the Doolin area in particular have had to install boosters as their businesses and customers need WIFI there may be merit in a collective approach to service Broadband Access - providers and LEADER funding may be used to organise Goal 0 0 5411 these collectives. This is a major issue and a determining factor for an entrepreneur planning to establish a business in North Clare. T2: Infrastructure & Transport T3: Phone and Internet

A network of small seasonally operated tourist offices utilising local employment initiatives and community resources may Tourist Office Network assist in providing information to visitors and promoting the Goal 0 0 - 5415 local area. Most communities have a community centre which could be used for this purpose, T2: Planning & Management

Efforts should be made to extend the tourist season which gets underway around St. Patrick's Day and generally extends to the end of October at the latest. Therefore, tourism enterprises close down for 4 months of the year which has a negative effect on the local economy. There is potential to develop a number of other locations to host smaller training courses/events. Utilise what is already in place in North Clare More economic such as surfing, walking and cycling. These activities should activity is required be marketed more aggressively as they are all year round Goal 0 0 during the winter activities. To coincide with this, develop a number of walking months. - 5416 Centres whereby walkers could dry off, shower, prepare some food, etc. ., along the route. These could be farm diversification projects. The area should target groups from Dublin and even groups flying into Dublin airport. Upgrade walking facilities with lighting so that more people could walk safely during the winter evenings especially tracks around community fields. T2: Planning & Management

A strategy to promote collaboration between the various groups in the community. This could help in the development Community group of the town and surrounding district. Goal 0 0 collaboration - 8388 T2: Communications, Participation & Volunteering T3: Volunteer Management, Communications Team

There is a need to make the community hall fit for purpose. It Renovate community needs to be renovated and extended. Goal 0 0 hall - 8395 T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Large tour buses and tourist traffic are using unsuitable and dangerous routes/ roads around Lisdoonvarna are Improve Roads - 8677 Goal 0 0 infrastructure in the area needs to be improved T2: Infrastructure & Transport

7. Projects

Projects are the actions that stakeholders take to improve their community. Local projects can range from things like coaching a youth team to building a hall or organising a clean-up. While sometimes overlooked, it's important to appreciate the projects that have recently been undertaken or that are currently underway in the area, as this helps place the capabilities for future projects in context.

Number Number TITLE SUMMARY TYPE Follows Comments

Rather than one off mentoring the group felt a paid ‘Manager’ Manager of community of the community facilities would be helpful Idea 0 0 facilities - 5441 T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Lisdoonvarna is a brand and it needs to be marketed jointly Joint Marketing of the with all the businesses in the area – 42 business in the area. Lisdoonvarna Brand - Currently, they are not collaborating together to market Idea 0 0 5442 ‘Lisdoonvarna’ T2: Planning & Management

They felt there were enough walled gardens to market them as a garden trail & Garden trails there are a number of walled Garden Trail - 5444 Idea 0 0 gardens in Clare that could be marketed as a cluster T2: Planning & Management

Umbrella community development group this would facilitate Umbrella Community more cooperation locally. Idea 0 0 Dev Group - 5445 T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Actions needed to create more social opportunities for rural dwellers. There are enough community facilities but the group would require soft supports to ensure these are used to full Rural Dwellers - 5446 Idea 0 0 potential and benefit of the community. T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Ideally the area would benefit from a full time community development worker. There is a large number of community Full time community held assets with future development potential. Idea 0 0 dev worker - 5447 T2: Planning & Management T3: Community Council, Planning, Management & Governance

Tidy towns — the group has recently only restarted and they would like support around planning for the future and also Tidy Towns Training - training for the volunteers and time management Idea 0 0 5448 T2: Streetscape , Planning & Management T3: Liveable & Tidy Towns

Brand Lisdoonvarna — the location is well known but it was Brand Lisdoonvarna - felt by the group that more could be done in branding the area Idea 0 0 5450 T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Linking all the towns in a loop and brand it as one tourist destination. A unified website, so the visitor can plan all Town Loop - 5451 aspects of their trip before they come. — an animator to help Idea 0 0 brand and market T2: Infrastructure & Transport

Transport — lack of transport to link towns in the north Clare Improved Transport - area. This is an issue for both locals and the tourists Idea 0 0 5452 T2: Infrastructure & Transport T3: Transport & Logistics Number Number TITLE SUMMARY TYPE Follows Comments

Volunteer burnout — Solutions: Staff — animation programme Animation Programme to involve younger adults and youth into community activities Idea 0 0 for volunteers - 5457 T2: Infrastructure & Transport, Planning & Management, Participation & Volunteering

Traffic congestion - Information and signage is required to clearly mark the Hags Head - — Doolin walk as a large portion of these visitors are taking wrong turns and Improved Traffic Flow - causing traffic chaos by parking in areas where they should not Idea 0 0 5458 be parking. T2: Infrastructure & Transport, Planning & Management, Participation & Volunteering

The development of the Mother Sports Field car park and dressing rooms in as an addition to the car parking provided by local farmer Patrick Nagle. Some buses are already using the Sports Field car park but a more formal Mother Sports Field structured system is required. Toilet facilities are also required Idea 0 0 dev - 5459 and long-term it may be possible to develop the clubhouse to host a shop/coffee shop, etc which would all bring a vital revenue stream to local clubs and other community initiatives. T2: Infrastructure & Transport, Planning & Management, Participation & Volunteering

The lack of ATMs in North Clare impacts on the level of spend by tourists in the area and is a great inconvenience for locals. Tourists and locals need 24 hour access to cash. whilst tourists do not understand the concept of a mobile bank. There is no ATM - 5460 ATM access at Lisdoonvarna or Doolin whilst the Cliffs of Idea 0 0 Mother is without an ATM for one hour each day as the business with the ATM closes earlier. People have to travel to of . T2: Planning & Management

LEADER funding could be used to employ an animator to help establish a Green Door initiative. This would encourage more people to visit the county. There is an opportunity to form a network of homeowners with renewable energy heating and Green Door Initiative - water conservation systems willing to allow the public access Idea 0 0 5462 to their homes. There could be an educational and training aspect to this initiative. T2: Infrastructure & Transport, Planning & Management, Participation & Volunteering

Dereliction is an issue. Some businesses have closed and Plan for derelict been left to fall into disrepair Idea 0 0 buildings - 6024 T2: Streetscape

Identify recreational trails for the local and National Trails Recreational Trail Office Idea 0 0 mapping - 6043 T2: Planning & Management

There are too many derelict buildings in the town. A study needs to be taken to see what could be done to redevelop Derelict building study these eyesores. Idea 0 0 - 8385 T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Children from the school could be given one hour a week to pick up litter. This would be a good example for older members Children litter picking of the community. Idea 0 0 project - 8386 T2: Streetscape , Participation & Volunteering T3: Growing local volunteer base, Built Environment & Landscape

An integrated plan to develop the local community in all its aspects. This should include a management structure for the Local Plan for project. Idea 0 0 development - 8387 T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance Number Number TITLE SUMMARY TYPE Follows Comments

This competition helps to mobilise the local community. The volunteers clean the town and this benefits the environment. It Tidy Towns 2019 - can be difficult to persuade young people to take part. Planned 0 0 5440 T2: Streetscape T3: Liveable & Tidy Towns

Project put forward by Lisdoonvarna Fáilte Limited - Development of the Lisdoonvarna Spa Wells facility as a Lisdoonvarna Victorian significant visitor interpretation site on the Planned 0 0 Town - 5779 and reinventing Lisdoonvarna as a true Victorian town T2: Planning & Management T3: Planning, Management & Governance

Devise a water management plan for Lisdoonvarna in Water Management conjunction with LAWCO - Local Authority Water and Planned 0 0 Plan - 6044 Communities Office T2: Planning & Management

River walks audit - River walks - find out if they are viable or ever existed before Planned 0 0 6055 T2: Planning & Management

8. Appendices Population by time leaving home to travel to Work, School or College

About: Population aged 5+ by time leaving home to travel to Work, School or College

Trendline Key: > The red dotted line represents the national average for this parameter > The black continuous line represents the county average

Census '16 https://public.tableau.com/profile/pat.kennedy#!/vizhome/Management_0/AgeProfile0-19Years?Edname=Lisdoonvarna

Local Population Profile - Census '16

Here is a visualization which compares the national population profile versus the profile for Lisdoonvarna electoral division Ireland Population by Age Group - Census 2016 https://public.tableau.com/profile/pat.kennedy#!/vizhome/IrelandPopulationbyAgeGroup- Census2016/IrelandPopulationbyAgeGroup-Census2016

Age Profile of Locals (0-19yrs)

Trendlines: > The red dotted line represents the national average for this parameter > The black continuous line represents the county average

Census '16 https://public.tableau.com/profile/pat.kennedy#!/vizhome/Management_0/AgeProfile0-19Years?Edname=Lisdoonvarna

Age Profile(20+)

Trendlines: > The red dotted line represents the national average for this parameter > The black continuous line represents the county average

Census '16 https://public.tableau.com/profile/pat.kennedy#!/vizhome/Management_0/AgeProfile0-19Years?Edname=Lisdoonvarna

Deprivation Statistics

Pobal Deprivation Statistics https://www.pobal.ie/