Louisburgh HQ News nd 22 June 2012 2012- Issue 3 “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts ” So says Aristotle and Louisburgh HQ Who is reading this “We love Louisburgh”. Newsletter? “The Louisburgh area shines in its natural beauty.” These were the lasting comments of recent visitors to Val McCahy’s self-catering cottage in Pulgloss. They were a couple from USA and The mailing list is growing weekly. Our Spain, both now living in Dublin. They choose Louisburgh because readership now includes people from they wanted to be in a peaceful and beautiful place. Louisburgh, Lecanvey, Killeen, Murrisk They stayed for a week and borrowed bikes from Neil and Brid in and Westport ranging in age from Accony. So when asked what extra facilities they would like to see in teenagers to grandparents. the area, they rightly said bike hire, an information point, maps of the area and a hostel would fit perfectly. It is great news Clare Island now has a hostel open, one here on the mainland would be brilliant The newsletter is also being received too. I digress. in many parts of the UK, France and I asked also what they would they be willing to pay for, with the times the USA and all over Ireland. Many of we are in, value is so important and it’s not all about money. They would be willing to pay for bike hire, a group excursion/activity, the recipients have family, friends or (Louisburgh to Leenane area), a guide and something typical to take holiday homes in the area whilst others away from this area. are Louisburgh people that have Asked what they loved about the area, it was the sights, the sounds, established roots in other places and the people, the experience, the landscape, green colour, small roads, like to hear news from home. beaches and hiking. So it would appear we have a lot going for us here in this area. Louisburgh HQ will continue asking those questions through the summer so existing and new businesses can So if you have a story worth sharing get a sense of the sort of numbers we are getting through town at please send it to us for publication. present and to understand what more we could do to increase that number. The number of persons receiving this LOUISBURGH HQ newsletter by email is 202 PROMOTING TOURISM, ENTERPRISE & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN If you would like to be included LOUISBURGH, LECANVEY & KILLEEN on the mailing list send an email with the words Contact us at SIGN ME UP St Patrick’s School to [email protected] Accony Louisburgh, Mayo Email: [email protected] Louisburgh HQ News nd 22 June 2012 2012- Issue 3 Community Groups & Clubs We would be delighted to report the work of local community groups and clubs If your group is planning a fundraiser, activity or outing or wants to report any event let us have the details Email: [email protected] The Moving Session Louisburgh Bord na nOg If you fancy a day out with a difference th Sunday July 8 is definitely a date Louisburgh Bord na nOg has more than 100 members fielding teams at U8, U10, U12, U16, and U18. Each member brings their for your diary. own unique characteristics to their team and combine that with the wealth of knowledge and commitment that our numerous managers This day will be hosted in three and trainers bring we have something very special and essential in different homes in the community our local community. We at Louisburgh Bord na nOg are delighted to get this opportunity to contribute to the Louisburgh HQ newsletter, and congratulate all involved with the group and Enjoy Jazz in Louisburgh commend the great work they are doing. More Music in Killeen, County League Champions A walk at Silver Strand This week we are proud to tell you that our U14 team, pictured above, were crowned Div 3 County League Champions in Mc Hale and Park on Wed 20th June. They defeated a very strong Belmullet A traditional session in team in a game that was not for the faint hearted. The local sport pages will give you an informative account of the match, but to be 6 Thallabawn points down with 6 minutes to go and come back to win by 3 points, speaks for itself about these young guys, their managers and their families. We are so proud of each and everyone of our 23 U14 heroes Cost is € 25 per adult including food and transport from house to house. Games to enjoy For more details or to book your place Saturday 23rd June U16s play their semi final v Davitts in Ballindine @ 4pm. The U18s play away to Kiltimagh on Fri 22nd email [email protected] June @7pm in the Summer league. And our U12s play Tourmakeady in louisburgh@ 7pm on Mon June 25th. Best of luck to them all. Louisburgh HQ News nd 22 June 2012 2012- Issue 3 Picture on right: Delphi Valley- Doolough The following article by PETER MURTAGH was in the IRISH TIMES on Tuesday 19th June 2012 Bringing a buzz back to former hive of activity ON THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY: A group of women has created an activity and news hub to help revive the town of Louisburgh. THE INDICATIVE route of the Wild Atlantic Way being developed by Fáilte Ireland has it going straight from Leenane in Co Galway to Westport in Mayo, via the N59, bypassing everything to its west. But there’s reason to believe they’re looking at this particular stretch of the road again – let’s hope so because, if they’re not, visitors will be steered away from one of the most breathtaking mountain passes in the country as well as a small town in Mayo that has much to offer. And a lot more besides. Leaving Leenane, the Dutch bikers and I took a left on to the R335 along the north shore of the Killary, Ireland’s only fjord, and followed the road into the Delphi Gap.The scenery on a bright June evening was breathtaking: the horseshoe-shaped Mweelrea Mountain towered to our left (and the Delphi Adventure Centre tucked into it makes full use of what it and the Killary have to offer), past Delphi Lodge (wild smoked salmon for sale) and on to Doolough. I have driven through this pass in monsoon conditions and seen the sides of the valley turn white from the sheer volume of water cascading into the lake. Not yesterday, thankfully. The road rises out of the valley and across a bog before, at Cregganbaun, offering stunning views out to Clare Island and Inishturk. The countryside looks both remote and wild but also welcoming. Foxgloves peek from road sides and there are lush buttercup meadows awaiting the silage cutters. In Louisburgh, a highly motivated group of dynamic, professional women have had enough of gloom and doom and have decided to do something about it. Inside Duffy’s on Chapel Street – closed, empty and lifeless for the past decade – they are making a home for Louisburgh HQ, which seven of them set up after they decided to, as they put it, “do something about austerity”. Catherine Duffy grew up in the shop and former family home, along with six siblings and her parents. “We were the Amazon dotcom of our day, you could say,” says Duffy. “People on Inishturk would send in their orders – groceries, oil, animal feed – and we’d send the goods out to them.” Once they have cleaned the place up (and fixed the water leak), Duffy’s will become the centre of their operations. They are going to produce a weekly newsletter telling people what is going on in the community and provide space for a range of activities, such as drama, arts and crafts. There will be a therapy room/clinic. Downstairs, the old shop will be brought back to life as a pop-up store to aid local enterprise. “We are offering the premises to people who want to showcase their products for the summer,” says another of the group, Maggie O’Conor. Across the road, a landmark corner premises at the town’s crossroads, that was semi-derelict for decades, is also being brought back to life. It will become a drop-in centre for the community and visitors alike. Local people will be able to access advice – legal, marketing, promotional and other business development help. Visitors will be offered information about the area’s many attractions – fine sandy beaches for swimming and surfing, places for walking, the dramatic scenery, local curiosities like standing stones, megalithic graves and the Clapper Bridge. They will also get information on where to eat and stay and what’s on each week. There will be maps and photos of the area. “The centre will operate as a hub from which visitors can access the local community, all the services and events that are happening,” says Bríd Conroy. “We will be marketing all the businesses in the area [there are 100 small businesses between Louisburgh, Lecanvey and Killeen] and we will be there to give advice to anyone wanting to start up or expand.“The centre will also have bike hire and generally operate as a booking service for local tours and events.” It was not long ago that Louisburgh was a little hive of businesses and services. Some 300 people lived in the town 30 to 40 years ago and there were 57 businesses then, says Bríd. Today just 37 people live there and businesses and services have shrivelled.