Nature, Heritage & Economic Development

On behalf of the community, PCADA has applied and been granted Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) status by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

Following a presentation by Dr. Orla Nic Suibhne, the SEAI Mentor for Galway/Mayo, and based on the area’s demographic profile, PCADA will be offered €15,000 by SEAI to commission a master plan for the community, which will signpost the development options to ensure an energy secure and more resilient community.  In March 2023 we developed the requisite Charter and will submit this to our new SEAI mentor in ATU.

We will publicise this at opening meetings as we progress this initiative.

Gerry Murphy has collected a treasure trove of information on the local bridges including the names of the people who built them, going back almost two centuries. It is a fascinating insight int the local history and encompasses other major events, including the migration of families to lands in Meath shortly after the foundation of the state in 1921. The plan is that this local heritage would be captured in the form of bi-lingual signs that, with permission from Mayo County Council, the Inland Fisheries, and other stakeholders, will be erected in safe locations near each of the bridges across the region.

The UN (September 2020) describes biological diversity is the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms. What we see today is the result of 4.5 billion years of evolution and, increasingly, of human influence as well. It forms the web of life, of which humans are integral and upon which people and the planet so fully depend.

As a response to the threat to our local flora and fauna, the group approached Mayo County Council for guidance on how best to improve the local ecology and habitats. This action led to the group commissioning ecologist, Dr Karina Dingerkus of Giorria Environmental Services, Bohola.  Karina has studied several areas of Parke and Crimlin, and presented an action plan, which will be used as a basis for future community developments. This is essential in today’s climate of change and biodiversity loss.  The group intends to work with the community of farmers, landowners, community groups and other residents to ensure any work is done in a fair manner and in keeping with the aesthetics of the local landscape. By maintaining a high standard, there is no reason not to enter our work for local and national awards which would raise the profile of Parke and Crimlin and bring in further investment.  In late 2022, PCADA was granted €4,500 from Community Foundation Ireland to develop a more comprehensive action plan, which Karina has agreed to assist us during 2023, with a focus on specific actions that can be taken within the community.  This will augment the initial plan developed by Karina,  available for download free here Biodiversity Ecology Overview Plan Parke & Crimlin 2022.

The new action plan is being presented to PCADA in Q4 2023 with a view to implementing some of the projects, under Phase II of the CFI funding framework.

PCADA is currently investigating other funding opportunities including the NeighbourWood Scheme available from the Department of Agriculture and a similar scheme for community ponds, available via Mayo County Council.  The water quality initiative would tie into efforts to protect the pristine quality awarded to the Clydagh river, which runs through the area.

Thanks to funding from the Peatland Community Engagement Scheme, the Association has been funded to develop this website, run nature walks with an ecologist for the national schools, run competition for the children on this theme, and develop other educational initiatives, including around the peatlands in Cunnagher More.

The scheme allows for the planning and roll out of other initiatives and we would encourage the community to review it and identify possible projects, for example loop walks and viewing platforms that allow people access their heritage.

Check out the blog for our latest activities.