Call for joint approach to progress key projects in Leitrim and Roscommon

While no timeline has been confirmed, a meeting between the Directors of Services for Carrick-on-Shannon and Boyle Municipal Districts will take place to discuss a number of shared areas of interest, including promoting Rooskey as a place to work and visit.

A motion seeking such a meeting was put forward at a meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District on September 14 by Cllr Seán McGowan.

His motion stated, “I ask the Director of Services, Housing, Planning, Corporate Services and Transformation to contact the Director of Services from the Boyle Municipal District with a view to having a joint meeting to work on areas of interest to both MDs,” and gave examples of the ongoing work between Carrick and Cortober, what can be done jointly to promote Rooskey as a good place to work and visit, and the proposed grey way between Jamestown and Drumsna, as well as other areas of mutual interest.

Cllr McGowan had spoken with the Cathaoirleach of Boyle MD, Michéal Frain, about the prospect of having a meeting, as joint meetings have been held before.

“We have areas of interest such as Cortober, Rooskey, Drumsna and Jamestown. There are a number of items in the pipeline that we need to progress,” he said.

Cllr McGowan added that he is “concerned” about Rooskey. “It has declined over the last number of years with the factory closing after the fire and the hotel closed up. It was a thriving village when I was young,” he said.

“There was a dance hall and it was a great, thriving place. People are saying there’s nothing happening for it,” he added.

He told the meeting that he hopes the two MDs can come together and, by working together, establish a town team to identify areas where progress can be made.

A Glanbia factory in Rooskey that employed hundreds of people from Leitrim, Roscommon, Longford and even as far as Westmeath caught fire in May 2002. The factory completely closed in 2007, with a promise from Glanbia that it would be rebuilt, which never came to fruition.

“Rooskey does need a lot of attention,” said Cllr McGowan.

The motion was seconded by Cllr Maeve Reynolds, who added that people in Drumsna and Jamestown are “disappointed” that the grey way wasn’t put forward for the current round of ORIS funding.

“It’s something that has been going on for a long time and there’s frustration that this isn’t moving forward,” she said.

Cllr Paddy Farrell added, “Anything we can do to work together to improve facilities in all these areas. I worked in Rooskey years ago and there’s a big change.”

“Rooskey is in bother,” commented Cllr Irene Guckian-Rabbitte. “It’s very neglected and for Leitrim and Roscommon County Councils to work together, we need that collaboration and get a number of projects finished and across the line,” she added.

Cllr McGowan acknowledged that Roscommon Co Council has done “great work” in Rooskey on their side of the border to improve the look of the area but highlighted the lack of industry and employment.

“We need something to drive it. We’re not forgetting the cantilever bridge that we’re looking for. That’s on the agenda as well,” he said.