Looking back at 2022 - May
Taoiseach Michael Martin told Dáil Eireann in early May he wanted to hear locals concerns over prospecting licences granted by the Government for gold silver and base metals in 47 townlands in north Leitrim. The licence was granted despite local opposition, over 2,000 submissions as well as a vote against the licence from Leitrim County Council.
The six county councillors in the Manorhamilton Municipal District brought a motion of total condemnation of granting the prospecting licences, the motion stated: “There will never be a social licence consent for gold mining in the area.”
Plans to construct a new water sports facility and 70 space car park in Drumshanbo were approved this month. The multi-use facility at Acres Lake is expected to “bring extra tourists” to the town and allow visitors to enjoy the Blueway safely. The Council said they had met with concerned locals and worked out a compromise, the larger car park would help deal with large traffic volumes attending the popular Blueway floating boardwalk.
The Bush Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon joined other hotels nationwide by signing a contract to accommodate Ukrainian families. The hotel agreed to contract 12 rooms to the Department of Children to accommodate Ukrainian refugees fleeing from the war. The hotel recently changed management from Joe and Rosie Dolan to Hotel Properties Group.
The Carrick bypass came back into focus in mid-May with the selection of the preferred option corridor for the N4.
The new road is proposed to go through the Attirory area before traversing the Shannon and passing through Cortober and rejoining the N4 on the extremity of the town in Co Roscommon.
Local resident Frank Costello pictured at the public viewing of the Carrick-on-Shannon bypass in The Landmark Hotel on May 18. Picture: Willie Donnellan
And just as the people of Carrick pondered over the new bypass route, 300 new jobs were announced as part of Cora Systems expansion. The company with its HQ in the county town said it would hire 100 new staff within 12 months and a further 200 more by 2024. The company stated that they secured €60m in new business since January and that was on the back of 330% growth year on year.
A new multi-use sports campus was also granted Part 8 planning approval at end of the month. The multi million euro development will be situated on a 6.3Ha site on the Castlecara road adjacent to Pairc Sean MacDiarmada and St Mary's GAA club.
The proposed facility will consist of a full size all weather pitch, an 8 lane running track with an internal grass pitch and athletics field, indoor basketball courts, a gym, changing rooms, function rooms and more.
A new €30m community hospital was also approved for Carrick-on-Shannon under the HSE's Capital Development Programme.
Designers Carol McGowan, Cróna Gallagher and Soraya Ricalde pictured last May in the pop up Cluainín Community Co-Op on Manorhamilton's Main Street which sold and supported local artists.