National Trails Day, Oileán Árainn Mhóir

National Trails Day Event , Arranmore, 28 September 2008

Lá Náisiúnta na gCosán

This September will see the first ever event of its kind taking place across the country with everyone being encouraged to be a part of it - get out and hit the trail!

This is the first National Trails Day to be organised in Ireland and everyone is being encouraged to get out and enjoy the huge range of trails available across the country.
From walking, mountain biking, a casual stroll or a vigorous hike, National Trails Day will see events being organised around the country, to create an awareness of the trail network that is provided by many organisations free for all to enjoy.

Further Information:www.nationaltrailsday.ie/donegal.html
& Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhóir 074 9520533

Arranmore Island Development Plan

RTE NEWS COVERAGE OF LAUNCH
www.rte.ie/news/2008/0912/arranmore.html
Arranmore Development Plan Launched

Eileen Magnier
The people of Arranmore Island off the coast of Donegal have launched a new development plan for the island. Residents of Ireland's second most populated island have warned that unless co-ordinated action is taken at all levels then Arranmore's future looks very much like its past.

The plan highlights the positive assets of the island including its natural beauty and the progress made in areas like waste management. However, it also highlights a number of serious problems including its declining population, high unemployment and a decline in the Irish language. There has been a steady fall in the population which now stands at 522 with most young people leaving as soon as they can for further education and better job opportunities. A quarter of islanders are unemployed and there is 56% male unemployment. Traditional fishing and agriculture have declined significantly. The age profile of islanders is increasing and there is a high dependency on social welfare and other state supports.

The level of fluency in the Irish language has dropped to 55% but the island's Co-op says there is great interest in the community in making Irish the main language of the island once again and they hope to employ an Irish officer to progress that.

The plan launched today, is described as a road-map for the future of the island which islanders themselves want to be part of implementing but they say they also need State support to make the plan a reality. They have identified nine areas to be addressed including the development of tourism and renewable energy projects and support for fishing and agriculture. Islanders say support is needed from State agencies to achieve their plan and Údaras na Gaeltachta Chairman Liam O'Cuinneagáin said he is optimistic the government will give its support. He said it is particularly important at times like this that we focus on creating employment and encouraging entrepreneurship.

Tidy Towns 2008

Endeavour Award for Oileán Árainn Mhóir in Tidy Towns 2008

The efforts of Oileán Árainn Mhóir to improve on 2007 scores in the Tidy Towns Competition have been recognised in the 2008 Tidy Towns results. Oileán Árainn Mhóir has been awarded an Endeavour Award of €1000.00 for this years efforts in the competition. Árainn Mhór was awarded 218 points, an improvement of 6.86% on the points awarded for the 2007 entry. The competition was entered by Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhóir Teo and judging took place at the end of July 2008.

Well done to all concerned for their continued efforts!

Ranganna Gaeilge - Irish Classes

Irish Classes - Ranganna Gaeilge

Venue/Ionad:An Chultúrlann, Fál a’ Ghabhann

Date of commencement/Dáta tosaithe: Meán Fómhair 2008/September 2008

Duration of course/Tréimhse an chúrsa 10 seachtainí/weeks
Levels/Leibhéil:Glantosaitheoirí & daoine le roinnt Gaeilge/Beginners & Intermediate Levels
Fee/Táille:€40.00

Cáilíocht/Qualification: Beidh deis agat cáilíocht atá aitheanta ar fud na hEorpa a bhaint amach duit féin.  You will have the opportunity to obtain a European qualification.

Registration/Further information contact/Clárú/tuilleadh eolais déan teagmháil le: Oifig an Chomharchumainn 074 9520533/9520995

Further Information/Tuilleadh Eolais: 

Gaeilge 2010.  www.udaras.ie

Teastas na hEorpa. www.teg.ie

5 Year Development Plan Launched

COMHARCHUMANN OILEÁN ÁRAINN MHÓIR TEO LAUNCHES 5 YEAR STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR ARRANMORE ISLAND

Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhóir Teo presented its five-year strategic development plan for Arranmore Island on Friday 12th September 2008. The plan was launched by Liam Ó Cuinneagáin, Chairman, Údarás na Gaeltachta in the Arranmore Enterprise Centre at 1:15pm.

The island development plan, which was compiled by planning and development consultants Canavan Associates Ltd., aims to tackle some of the issues highlighted in the earlier socio-economic survey of the island community in 2006. This new plan updates the 1994 – 1999 island development plan, also prepared by Canavan Associates, from which many worthwhile community initiatives on the island got their start. The plan was generously supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta.

The 2008 plan looks at changes on the island since the last development plan, what has been achieved, the challenges facing the island, and opportunities for future development. Delivering the Plan effectively will require a partnership approach among members of the island community, An Comharchumann and supporting agencies. It is essential that all these partners share the plan's vision and communicate with one another to achieve the actions set out.

For further information contact:
Nóirín Uí Mhaoldomhnaigh/Seán Mac Eachmharcaigh
Foireann Bainistíochta an Phlean
Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhóir Teo
074 9520533

Download English copy of Arranmore Development Plan:
http://www.arranmoreco-op.com/Documents.htm

Ioslódáil Leagan Gaeilge do Phlean Forbartha Oileán Arainn Mhóir: http://www.oileanarainnmhoir.com/Documents.htm

EU announces review of fisheries policy

"50 Footers" Leabgarrow Moorings, Arranmore Island in the 1980s.

© 2008 irishtimes.com
17 September 2008

The European Commission has announced a full-scale review of EU fisheries policy, saying current rules were doing little to curb overfishing, quota busting and other illegal fishing practices.

EU fisheries policy was last reformed in 2002 and is due for review by 2012 at the latest. While much had improved since 2002 - much stricter controls on illegal fishing, for example - there were many shortcomings, the European Commission said.

Short-term decision-making coupled with irresponsible behaviour by certain parts of the fishing industry in the European Union had penalised those fishermen acting for the common good, it said.

The result was a vicious circle that undermined both the ecological balance of the oceans and the economic profitability of the fisheries sector, it said in a statement.

Many species - cod and hake, for example - are depleted in certain EU waters due to years of chronic overfishing, exacerbated by poor controls and fines that, until recently, were not set high enough to deter lawbreakers.

"In its current form, the CFP (Common Fisheries Policy) does not encourage responsible behaviour by either fishermen or politicians," EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg said.

"The management tools we use reward narrow-minded, short-term decision-making, which has now undermined the sustainability of our fisheries," he said in the statement.

In May, the Commission signalled all was not well in the fisheries sector when it issued a policy statement changing the basis for calculating its proposed fish catch volumes for 2009 and said 88 percent of EU fish stocks were overexploited.

That huge number compared with 80 percent at the same stage last year and a global average of just 25 percent, it said. The stocks situation was "alarming" and bold action was needed.

Europe's share of fish products from domestic resources had also fallen from 75 per cent in the early 1970s to 40 per cent now as it depended more and more on imports, it said.

Scientists say that unless fishing is curbed, or in some cases stopped altogether, many species in EU waters risk extinction. Cod is a prime example, especially in the North Sea and off the west coast of Scotland.

But the Commission usually shies from proposing outright fishing bans or a "zero catch", fearful of the economic impact it would have on small coastal communities that depend on fishing for their livelihood.

In any case, if the Commission does suggest quota cuts, they usually get diluted down by EU ministers who have to agree the final numbers before the next year's quotas enter into force.