Town Council Programmes

Please click on the links below for more information.

Programme 1: Housing & Building
Programme 2: Road Transportation & Safety
Programme 3: Development Incentives & Control
Programme 4: Community Grants
Programme 5: Carrickmacross / Carhaix Town Twinning
Programme 6: Recreation & Amenity
Programme 7: Miscellaneous

Housing & Building
Carrickmacross Town Council, as a housing authority, provides social housing for 98 households and manages over 340 applications for social and affordable accommodation. No allocation was made for the provision of new Local Authority Housing in 2012.

During 2012 the Council provided in its planned maintenance programme a new kitchen and bathroom in one house and new facia and soffit in 6 houses.  Level access bathroom conversions were also completed in 4 houses.  In 2012 the sum of €39,237 was spent under the Building Energy Rating Scheme. This scheme is part funded by the Department.  The Council spent this allocation improving the energy ratings of ten dwellings by upgrading central heating systems, installing attic insulation and rewiring. The following houses were upgraded under this programme:-
Nos. 1, 2, 8, 10, 15 & 40, Drummond-Etra; Nos. 12, Emmet Road & 35 Emmet Street;
Nos. 2 & 35 Cloughvalley.

Twenty two units in the new housing scheme in Cloughvalley were allocated in 2012 by Monaghan County Council and Carrickmacross Town Council also made 3 allocations during 2012. There are currently 344 households on the social housing list. One sale under the Tenant Purchase Scheme for Long Standing Tenants 2011 was completed in 2012.

Road Transportation & Safety
Carrickmacross Town Council is responsible for the upkeep and improvement of urban roads in Carrickmacross.  The Department of the Environment’s allocation for road improvement works in 2012 was €195,000.  The road works programme for 2012 included new footpaths and resurfacing on Mullanarry road, resurfacing at Mullanarry Street, Lurgans, Shirley House Lane, Drummond-Etra lower and cul-de-sacs in Cloughvalley.  Major works were also completed at lower Chapel Lane adjacent the two national schools.  These works included raised pedestrian crossing, footpaths, railings and improved road markings and lights.

Development Incentives & Control
Carrickmacross Town Council received thirteen planning applications in 2012.
The process for the new Development Plan for the Town commenced in March 2011 with a public meeting to discuss the Issues Paper.  A draft Plan was placed on public display in 2012. The Development Plan is a two year process and is due for completion and adoption in early 2013.

In accordance with Section 48(14) (b) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, under the Development Contributions Scheme, €12,692.00  was accrued in 2012, and a total of €15,088 was received by Carrickmacross Town Council in 2012, as follows:-

Community Grants
Following the May monthly meeting the Council made financial contributions to the various community groups and voluntary organisations throughout the town.  The Council made annuals contributions to the Chamber of Commerce for the promotion of the town and for Christmas Lighting.  In all over €80,000 was allocated by the Council during 2012 and the recipients were as follows:-

Community Groups
Carrickmacross Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann
Carrickmacross Community Allotments
Carrickmacross CPR
3RD Monaghan Scout Group
Carrickmacross Language School
Carrickmacross Active Retirement
Carrickmacross Pioneers
Carrickmacross Community Games
Carrickmacross Variety Club
Carrickmacross Cruisers
Carrickmacross Rockets
Carrickmacross Tidy Towns (Annual contribution)
Carrickmacross Aces AC (3rd year of 5)
Carrickmacross Youth Club
Carrickmacross Snooker Club
Carrickmacross Snooker Club – J Williams
Carrick Rovers
Carrickmacross Social Services
Carrickmacross Cycling Club
Carrickmacross Ladies GAA
St. Vincent De Paul
Carrickmacross Active Retirement
Carrick Emmets
Carrick Lions Club
Evolve Parents & toddler group
Carrickmacross Hurling Club
Renewed Living Family Support network
Lisanisk residents Association
Barry Kavanagh – Gardening Project
Shrine Carrickmacross
Spring Lake Angling Club

Funding Allocated in Budget 2012 for Specific Projects/Groups
Chamber of Commerce & Industry – Christmas Lighting
Chamber of Commerce & Industry – Promotion of Town
Tourism Contribution
St. Patricks Day Parade/Band Performances
Halloween Festival
Music Festival
Carrickmacross Twinning Association
Tidy Towns Projects
Carrickmacross Website

Carrickmacross / Carhaix Town Twinning
In 1993, Carrickmacross set up a twinning committee which resulted in the town twinning with Carhaix, Brittany, France. Over the years the bond has strengthened. In March 2012 fifty-two students from College St. Trémeur in Carhaix along with their teachers were welcomed to the towns by the Carrickmacross/Carhaix Twinning Committee.   The students study English and History with a particular emphasis on the Famine in Ireland.  The group visited the Old Workhouse and were given a presentation on the history of the Famine in the Carrickmacross area by Yvonne Marron. The group were then brought on a tour of the building by Kevin Gartlan which included a visit to a recently restored dormitory.  After lunch the visitors went on a walking tour of the town. They visited the Bully’s Acre on the Donaghmoyne Road and St. Joseph’s Church where they admired the Harry Clarke windows and the Richard King designed Stations of the Cross. The group headed back towards the Main Street where they heard a short account of the history of the town since the 1600’s. The visit ended with a little time for shopping and the market stalls.

Recreation & Amenity
Additional works took place to resurface the area surrounding the outdoor fitness equipment installed adjacent the play-park in Cloughvalley in late 2011.  The Council have been successful in receiving additional funding for more pieces outdoor fitness equipment which will be installed in early 2013.

Carrickmacross Town Council’s commitment to help service a loan for the balance of works on the current phase of the Convent Lands running track was allocated in the sum of €5,000 to Carrick Aces.  2012 was the third of a five year commitment by the Council towards the construction of the facility.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade was yet another success, owing to the numerous bands and organisations which took part.  As normal, the day kicked off with the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Courthouse, and was accompanied by the music of the Steadfast Brass Band.  At 3 o’clock, a colourful line up of over 50 entrants marched proudly from the Dundalk Road onto Main Street, where they were greeted by a huge crowd of spectators.  Taking part were a number of local and non-local bands, a number of community and business floats and marchers, as well as a wide collection of vintage tractors and machinery.  Face painting and street entertainment brightened the day along with traditional music provided by the Carrickmacross branch of Comhaltas, prior to the parade.  Prizes were awarded on the day to An Lochrann Linn for the “Best Band”, followed closely by runner up Stedfast Brass Band.  Local primary school Scoil Rois scooped “Best Float” while dressed as the doomed occupants of the “Titanic” commemorating 100 years since is tragic end, while Cabra Castle walked away with second prize for their “Shrek” themed float.  It was a brilliant day, enjoyed by all!
The Council continues to support the local June Bank Holiday festival and Halloween Festival in October.  Both festivals were again very successful in 2012.

Miscellaneous
Carrickmacross Town Council acquired the Market Square building during 2012 and proposes to restore and renovate the building.  Some essential repairs works on the roof of the building have already taken place.  The Council sought submissions from the local community and individuals on their views for the potential use of the Market Square Building and yard to the rear.  A feasibility study will be undertaken.

Tidy Towns & Chamber of Commerce Success
In 2012 Carrickmacross received its first gold medal in the Tidy Towns Competition and was placed second in the County Awards.  The town also won an award in the 2012 All Island IPB Pride of Place Competition.  Carrickmacross also received overall sixth in a national Retail Excellence Town & City review in 2012.  Carrickmacross Town Council continues to support the Tidy’s Towns Committee and the Chamber of Commerce through a number of various projects.

Other Events
In March, 2012 the Town Council Foreman Mr. Patsy McKenna retired from Carrickmacross Town Council after 33 years service.  The Council’s craftsman Mr. Eugene O’Reilly also retired in August, 2012 after 16 years of services with Carrickmacross Town Council.

Mr. Bruce Davis, Australian Ambassador to Ireland visited Carrickmacross on the request of the Meara Bhaile Cllr. Noel Keelan on the 20th of April, 2012.  Ambassador Davis signed the visitors book to mark the occasion and a small reception was held in the civic offices.

On the 25th of April, 2012 the Canadian Ambassador made a quick visit to Carrickmacross and also signed the visitors book.

In recognition of community achievements received in the town in 2012 a celebration was held in conjunction with the Tidy Town’s and the Chamber of Commerce in the Civic Offices on the 12th of December, 2012.  All local and voluntary groups were invited to attend.

Carrickmacross Joint Policing Committee
The membership of the committee consists of the Town Council members and officials, members of An Garda Siochána, members of the Oireachtas and community & voluntary sector representatives. “The JPCs function is to serve as a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the Carrickmacross Town Council’s administrative area”. The topics discussed in 2012 were as follows:-

26^th January 2012.

1. Consideration of Security Report on Convent Avenue – prepared by Sergeant Noel Harraghy, Crime Prevention Officer.

2. Underage Drinking in public places.

19^th April, 2012

1. Alcohol abuse in public places and the sale of alcohol to minors.

2. Problems arising from illegal diesel laundering operations in the town.

3. Breeches of Litter Act in respect of dog fouling.

13^th September, 2012

1. Presentation by Youth Work, Carrickmacross.

2. Presentation by Customs Office on diesel laundering.

Seminars & Conferences attended by Carrickmacross Councillors in 2012

Details of Members Expenses for 2012 are as follows

Payments to Elected Members – Summary