IRD Duhallow Progress Report 2025 - 2026

C O M M U N I T I E S I N D U H A L L O W

The Land & People

The IRD Duhallow region includes North West Cork, South East Ker r y and Mid Cork. It is an area of natural development and is predominantly r ural Over 85% of the population live in the open countr yside or in settlements of less than 200 people.

The IRD Duhallow region has five market towns: Macroom (Pop. 3765), Kanturk (Pop. 2350), Millstreet (Pop 1555), Newmarket (Pop 976) and Rathmore (Pop 790)

Chairperson’s Address

It gives me great pleasure to present IRD Duhallow's Progress Repor t for 2025–2026 and I am both honoured and delighted to have been elected as Chairperson of the company It is a privilege to continue ser ving an organisation that has been at the heart of community, enterprise and rural development for more than thir ty-five years I begin this new term with enormous pride in all that has been achieved and with confidence in the exciting oppor tunities that lie ahead I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Michael Twohig M ichael, was a founding member of the Board of IRD Duhallow and a true visionar y in his own right For many decades he has dedicated himself to improving the lives of people throughout Duhallow, helping to shape the organisation from its earliest days into the respected Local Development Company it is today H is unwavering commitment, leadership, wisdom and passion for rural communities have left an indelible mark on this organisation and the wider region On behalf of the Board, management, staff and communities we ser ve, I extend my hear tfelt thanks to Michael for his exceptional contribution and ser vice to the region and people of Duhallow

This past year has once again demonstrated the remark able strength, resilience and ambition of the communities we ser ve Throughout this repor t you will see the extraordinar y breadth of work under taken by IRD Duhallow, from suppor ting individuals and families to developing businesses, investing in community infrastructure, protecting our environment and strengthening rural communities Ever y programme, ever y project and ever y partnership has one common purpose – improving the quality of life for people across our region

One of the greatest honours bestowed upon IRD Duhallow during the year was our appointment by the Depar tment of the Environment, Climate and Communications as one of I reland's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions for the 2025–2027 period This prestigious national recognition reflects the commitment of our organisation to embedding sustainability across ever y aspect of our work

During the year, we were delighted to welcome a number of distinguished visitors and public representatives to projects and events across the region Their visits provided an opportunity to showcase the innovation, ambition and determination that exists within our communities We welcomed Michael Healy-Rae during his visit in July 2025, Minister Alan Dillon in December 2025, MEP K athleen Funchion in May 2026, Minister Dara Callear y who officially opened the Kiskeam Walk and turned the sod for the landmark Rylane Community Centre project, Minister Jerr y Buttimer on a number of occasions throughout the year, and most recently Minister Mar y Butler, who addressed our Rural Mental Health Conference in July 2026 These visits underline the growing national recognition of the work taking place across the Duhallow region and reinforce the impor tance of continued investment in rural Ireland

Innovation continues to be one of IRD Duhallow's greatest strengths During the year we were proud to launch the M igrant Apprenticeship Programme in partnership with Ballyhoura Development Company This exciting initiative reflects our commitment to creating oppor tunities for people from all backgrounds while helping employers address sk ills shor tages and suppor ting the successful integration of new communities into rural I reland Par tnerships such as these demonstrate the power of collaboration between Local Development Companies in responding to emerging needs and creating meaningful oppor tunities for people

Our commitment to sustainability has also been demonstrated through the launch of the Circular Cups social enterprise in par tnership with the Southern Regional Waste Authority This innovative initiative has been embraced by community festivals and events throughout the region and has already diver ted thousands of single -use plastic cups from landfill It is a simple but highly effective example of communities work ing together to reduce waste, promote environmental responsibility and demonstrate that sustainability can be both practical and achievable

The recommendations of the Depar tment of Social Protection Review of the Rural Social Scheme were rolled out this year with three significant changes to eligibility that are designed to halt the decline in the numbers accessing the scheme and are already having a positive impact Together with Tús and CE, these initiatives make an enormous contribution to both par ticipants and the communities they ser ve

As Chairperson, I am privileged to work alongside an exceptional Board of Directors whose commitment, exper tise and passion continue to guide the organisation I would like to thank Dominic Cronin, our new Vice Chairman I sincerely thank each

Board member for the time they freely give in ensuring the continued good governance and strategic direction of IRD Duhallow Our Annual Strategic Think-In, held in Februar y, remains one of the most important events in our governance calendar It provides the Board and senior management with an invaluable oppor tunity to reflect on our achievements, examine future oppor tunities and challenges, and collectively shape the strategic direction of the organisation Strong governance, thoughtful planning and a shared vision continue to underpin ever ything we do

I am delighted to welcome our newest Board members, Aisling Collins and Cllr N iall Kelleher Their k nowledge, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives will undoubtedly strengthen the Board I am also saddened at the death of one of our former Board Members, Batt Casey, Kiskeam He will be remembered for his steadfast commitment to the communities of Western Duhallow

None of our achievements would be possible without the outstanding leadership of our CEO, Maura Walsh This has been an incredibly difficult personal year for Maura following the tragic loss of her beloved husband, Mark Walsh Despite such profound personal loss, she has continued to lead the organisation with exceptional resilience, professionalism and determination On behalf of the Board, I want to acknowledge her remark able strength and unwavering commitment to IRD Duhallow

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to our Assistant CEO, Eileen Linehan, whose knowledge, experience and sound judgement provide invaluable suppor t to both the Board and management team Her guidance continues to provide a steady hand in ensuring the organisation remains focused, responsive and for ward-looking

To ever y member of staff, I offer my hear tfelt appreciation The range of programmes delivered by IRD Duhallow continues to expand, and our staff consistently demonstrate professionalism, versatility, innovation and an unwavering commitment to the people and communities we ser ve Their approachable nature, willingness to go above and beyond, and genuine can-do attitude are at the hear t of our success

Beyond our own region, I represent IRD Duhallow on a number of Local Development Companies Network (LDCN) committees With Ireland hosting the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, this is a par ticularly impor tant time to inform and influence the future direction of rural development polic y, including the next LEADER Programme and CAP funding Collectively, Local Development Companies have been actively engaging with Government to ensure the voices of rural communities are heard

The recent launch of the LDCN Pre -Budget Submission highlighted the impor tance of sustained investment in community development Nationally, the network is advocating for an additional €10 2m for LEADER next year; €6 1 million for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), €10 million annually for integration suppor ts, a €12 million investment in the Tús and Rural Social Schemes to sustain essential local services, and €500,000 to expand the Rural Recreation Officer network These targeted investments will help ensure that Local Development Companies can continue responding effectively to the evolving needs of communities across Ireland and we continue to advocate for core funding for local development companies as essential, instead of being programme dependent with many programmes limited

I was also particularly proud to see both Maura Walsh and Eileen Linehan represent IRD Duhallow before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development, where they outlined the significant impact of the LEADER Programme and contributed to discussions on its future direction

Finally, I wish to thank our funding par tners, EU, Government Depar tments, Local Authorities, National Agencies, community organisations, volunteers, businesses and ever yone who has worked alongside IRD Duhallow throughout the year Your continued par tnership enables us to deliver meaningful and lasting change throughout our region

As we look to the future, I remain optimistic Rural I reland continues to face challenges, but it also possesses extraordinar y strengths – resilient communities, committed volunteers, innovative enterprises and people who are passionate about where they live Together, we will continue to build upon those strengths, embrace new opportunities and ensure that IRD Duhallow remains at the forefront of social inclusion, community, enterprise and rural development

Anne Maria Bourke CHAIR

Manager’s Repor t

In reviewing the Company ’ s per formance over the past year, while details of individual programme activities and per formance are outlined in detail in the following pages of the Progress Repor t overall it has been an exceptional year for IRD Duhallow

The year star ted with the planned retirement of our outgoing Chairperson, Michael Twohig from the Chair and as a director and the election of the new Chairperson and Vice Chair My own personal circumstances and bereavement with the sudden death of my husband, inter vened in the timing of this board changeover, and our meeting was put back a month, while I commenced recover y from the sudden loss of my husband I will be eternally grateful for the huge suppor t shown from the Board, Management team, staff in all aspects of the company who rallied around us as a family providing suppor t and comfor t and catering for the crowds that attended his funeral as well as for us as a family

The October meeting saw the Chairperson of the Board and long-time Director M ichael Twohig retire from both roles and Anne Maria Bourke was elected Chairperson with Dominic Cronin elected Vice Chairperson

The company Strategic Review was held a bit later this year with Anne Maria Bourke outlining her vision as Chair with a refresh of our Working Groups and subcommittees under taken over the next year to ensure that the Company has the consultative and Governance Structures necessary to lead and guide its operations in the coming years Progress in this respect has been steady with most working groups already refreshed with new members and a focus on KPIs with regular repor ts being brought to the Board

The Company ’ s Assistant CEO, Eileen Linehan, has stepped up to Acting CEO during this period and has taken on much of the repor ting responsibility holding regular meetings with the Team Leaders, managing workloads and restructuring within teams This has freed up my time to focus on a number of key projects and par ticipate on national Network committees (LDCN), as well as represent IRD Duhallow on the Board of Local Link Kerr y I am indebted to Eileen for this work

Our Team Leaders, Triona Dennehy, Helen O’Sullivan, Louise Bourke, Jackie Kelly and Monica Gilmore have all taken on extra responsibility with new programmes and staff and their ongoing loyalty and commitment to the Company is appreciated and valued Our staff are highly motivated, bringing their knowledge sk ills and exper tise to the Company, while their flexibility and commitment is second to none On a sad note, we lost a valued member of our Warmer Homes team during the year, Noel Heffernan RIP This was a shock to his close knit family and indeed to all his colleagues here at IRD Duhallow Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé

The Company ’ s contribution, role and impact in bringing for ward practical impactful, relevant and scalable initiatives across all sectors of our communities to tack le climate change, enhance biodiversity, reduce waste and promote sustainability continues to be significant with some of our innovative initiatives mainstreamed and scaled up to become national initiatives IRD Duhallow ’ s European Innovation Programme (EIP) Farming for Blue Dot has been scaled up and now led by LAWPRO (Local Authorities Waters Programmes) and IRD Duhallow is delighted to be par t of the new Programme in this region

The European Commission introduced the LEADER Programme 35 years ago and IRD Duhallow was one of the first 16 pilot areas in Ireland to be awarded LEADER and we have continued to implement it since Successive evaluations at national and European level attest to its resounding success right across the expanding EU, showing how the locally led and managed, bottom-up, local area approach to rural and community development is the most successful model for delivering real and sustained development results across all sectors

Many of the projects that were funded in the early years of LEADER have continued to grow and develop and are acting as economic drivers in the respective area Duhallow Community Food Ser vices for example has gone from an initial small food training and incubator hub to now employing 72 people and providing meals on wheels delivered daily as well as a restaurant where people can come in and meet with others by sharing a table and having a chat once or twice a week, or more often if they wish, thus alleviating social isolation for many It has also played a pivotal role in suppor ting families with home catering for family events and in community centre settings as the occasion requires I n the past year it has expanded to provide hot school lunches cooked fresh ever y morning using fresh ingredients sourced locally We have worked closely with the EO for the region to ensure the highest standards possible Duhallow Community Food Ser vices was nominated for a number of national awards including the Food Writers' Guild

Award, the National Lotter y Good Causes Award as well as featuring on RTE’s Ear to the Ground and Nationwide

Another project undertaken in the early years of LEADER was a feasibility study of the former quarr y at Ballyhass, that had filled as lakes A subsequent LEADER Programme provided funding to develop Ballyhass Lakes as a Water Adventure Centre I t now employs 150 and caters for school tours, work place team building and has accommodation for 25 families

IRD Duhallow holds that LEADER put down the roots and formed the strong trunk of the tree that has over the years branched out to provide a wide range of programmes in response to the var ying and growing needs of our communities LEADER must remain and be strengthened so that all the Programmes such as Communicating Europe, Warmer Homes Scheme, Furniture REVAMP and the Community Laundr y as well as Work ability all thrive as branches of the same tree, forming an Integrated Resource Development model, which is what IRD Duhallow stands for

IRD Duhallow was honoured to be invited, along with three other groups from Donegal and Offaly to present in person to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development, chaired by Mr John Paul O’Shea T D The Repor t on the LEADER Programme and Rural Development was published recently, and it contains for ty recommendations to fur ther strengthen the LEADER model in Ireland The report will now go before the Dáil in the autumn and hopefully will be passed and will inform policy and funding putting LEADER on a firm political and financial footing into the future Coming during Ireland’s Presidency of the European Council and a major Rural Development Conference planned for the late autumn This repor t and the recommendations could well inform how LEADER will sit as par t of CAP and other funding programmes into the future at European as well as National level

While unemployment has remained relatively low at full- employment levels, indications are that it has started to move upwards and we are hearing predictions that AI will accelerate the growth in unemployment over the coming years While those displaced will likely be graduates, they will require a specific response but those hard-to-reach unemployed people that we are currently work ing with or that often have multiple disadvantages must not be left to the bottom of priorities again

SICAP funding must be strengthened to keep pace with growing demands, as must programmes like WorkAbility that are so beneficial to those par ticipating in them

Our Community Mental Health Programme funded by the HSE, has really touched a cohort in our communities, that heretofore did not have this accessible safe space in which to be heard Our first Mental Health Conference was attended by 130 delegates and opened by Minister Mar y Butler and addressed by the Mayor of Cork Cllr Bernard Moynihan with eminent speakers across several fields of interest Our initiative has evolved and grown and includes support groups based on topics like reading for the brain and a specific walk ing group The Recover y College concept was introduced this year with great suppor t from those already established in the West of the Countr y and we are grateful for this suppor t Our college, though new, has grown at a faster pace than anticipated and it was hear tening to hear the Minister and other speakers laud its development

Another innovative programme from the Depar tment of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht that we successfully accessed for R ylane Community is the Community Centre Investment Fund Minister Caller y turned the sod last November and we are delighted with the progress of the builders, despite the ver y bad, wet first six months of the year Well done to the R ylane Committee who are work ing hard fund-raising to meet the matching fund contribution

As we look to the year ahead, IRD Duhallow remains well positioned to continue to deliver Government polic y at local level, meeting the unmet needs of our communities We will deliver on targets for Rural Development, Social Inclusion and climate change, through our various Programmes funded through the key Government Depar tments and Agencies

Maura Walsh CEO

IRD Duhallow Board Members

A N N E MA R I A B O U R K E

Anne Maria is the current Chairperson of IRD Duhallow She represents the INTO on the Board and held the position of company Chair from 2015- 2018 She is a former National School Principal and continues to work closely with State agencies in an advisor y capacity She is currently the Chair of the Finance Work ing Group and Vice Chairperson of the Women s Forum as well as sitting on the HR Committee She is a keen bridge player and is a member of the K anturk Bridge Club

CO R MAC CO L L I N S

Cormac is a former Chairman of IRD Duhallow holding the role from 2012 to 2015 He is from Gneeveguilla and works as a Senior Manager in the ESB He was appointed to the Board to represent the State sector having previously ser ved as Community Representative for Western Duhallow He is the current chairman of Gneeveguilla Community Council, who developed a cultural centre in Gneeveguilla village, “ Teach Failte” He ser ves on the HR, Finance and Community Development Work ing Groups

A MA N DA O ’S U L L I VA N

Amanda is a native of Boherbue and is a primar y school teacher in Ballyclough National School She was nominated to the Board of IRD Duhallow in 2022 as the Macra Na Feirme representative Amanda is the current chairperson of Banteer Macra, is the Rural Youth representative for Avondhu and she is also on the National Rural Youth sub- committee Amanda represented Macra na Feirme on a Study Session entitled “Food as a Human Right “ in Budapest this year Amanda has previously been the PRO for her club She is look ing for ward to joining the board

PAU L A H E R N E

Paul is a member of An Garda Síochána holding the rank of Inspector He is employed as a Community Engagement Inspector attached to the Cork Nor thwest Policing area which incorporates the entire IRD Duhallow region He is currently attached to Mallow Garda Station He previously ser ved as the Sergeant in charge of K anturk Garda station from 2011-2019 He has 27 years ’ experience in Policing both rural and urban environments Paul holds a BSc in Police Leadership & Governance from UCD He is a native of Co Clare and has resided in K anturk since 2006 with his wife and two daughters He is actively involved in both Banteer Camogie club and K anturk ladies Football club as an underage coach

G E R A L D I N E G A LV I N

Geraldine is the Administrator of the Lee Valley Enterprise Board that promotes business and all aspects of Macroom town and the greater surrounding area of the beautiful Lee Valley A qualified Financial Advisor and former Commercial Bank Manager, with experience in por tfolio management in the Business and Agri sector and in credit risk , Geraldine holds a T T T QQI 6 and Diploma in Specialty Food Production from UCC Geraldine is involved in the local community as a volunteer with a number of local organisations and clubs in Macroom

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O M I N I C C R O N I N

Dominic joined the Board in July 2021 He represents the ICMSA and was elected Company Vice Chair in October 2025 He is a dair y farmer from Boherbue and is the current Chairman of Duhallow ICMSA, as well as Vice Chairman of Nor th and East Cork ICMSA He is currently a Member of the ICMSA National Council, Dair y Committee and a member of the ICOS Dair y Committee Dominic has ser ved as a Board member of Boherbue Co-Op since 2005 and is a member of the National Water Forum He is a former Chairman of the National Dair y Council and currently sits on the Board of Ornua cooperative

B R E E DA M OYN I H A N C R O N I N

Breeda re -joined the Board in 2014 to represent Duhallow ’ s Social Enterprises and held the position of Chairperson from 2019-2022 Breeda was a member of Dáil Éireann from 1992 – 2007 and a member of Kerr y Co Council from 1999- 2003 and from 20112013 Ser ving her community for over 20 years, her constituenc y included the East Kerr y area of Duhallow She is involved in a number of voluntar y and charitable organisations

PA D R A I C O ’CO N N E L L

Padraic is from K anturk where he lives with his wife and two teenage daughters He is Chairman of the IRD Duhallow Enterprise Work ing Group In his work Padraic is Director of Energy Security at Gas Networks Ireland having held senior management position there in Human Resources, Energy Polic y, Commercial, PR, Marketing and Legal for over 20 years Padraic is actively involved in various community, school board and spor ting clubs in K anturk He is also an avid golfer and is a member of K anturk Club where he was Captain for 2025 and Killarney Golf Club and plays a little Tennis in Lombardstown Tennis Club

B A R RY O ’CO N N O R

Barr y represents Inland Fisheries Ireland and joined the Board of IRD Duhallow in 2024 He is the Director of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Development Programme where he oversees the administration of funding schemes the restoration of damaged river habitats and the stock of angling access infrastructure Barr y is a Char tered Civil Engineer with over 20 years ’ experience in river engineering and flood risk management

IRD Duhallow Board Members

G E R A L D I N E O ’L E A RY

Geraldine was elected to the Board of IRD Duhallow in July 2021 representing South Eastern Duhallow She is the current vice chair of the Enterprise Work ing Group Living in M illstreet with her family, Geraldine is a volunteer on M illstreet Town Park Committee She recently concluded a 20-year tenure with Aon Ireland to focus on family life and other commitments During her career at Aon she progressed to the role of Senior Retirement Consultant, managing a por tfolio of multinational clients and trustee groups

C A I T R I N

G

Cait was elected to the board in July, 2025 representing M id Cork Cait is ver y involved in her local community committees of both Carriganima Community Development & is the Treasurer of Carriganima Community Association - CART Rural Bus Transpor t She is married to Christy and they run their family business, an Agricultural Tractor & Machiner y Business in Carriganima Cait also works as a full time Civil Ser vant in the Financial Area in the Dept O f Justice Equality & Law Reform

M I C H E L L E G R E E N

M ichelle Green is a native of Freemount and lives there with her husband, K arol, and their children, M isha and Luk a She holds a degree in Government and Public Polic y, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, and a Master ’ s in Public Management With over 20 years ’ experience leading environmental projects across a range of roles, M ichelle currently ser ves as an Administrative O fficer with responsibility for Suppor t Ser vices and the Environmental Awareness O ffice within the Planning & Environment Directorate of Cork County Council She recently cofounded the Freemount Women s Shed and now ser ves as its co- chair

A I S L I N G CO L L I N S

Aisling is from Gneeveguilla and a primar y school teacher in Lyre National School She was nominated onto the board in 2026 as a community representative for Western Duhallow Aisling also sits on the Community Development Work ing Group Aisling is ver y active in her local community She is currently the PRO for Gneeveguilla GAA and coaches basketball for Gneeveguilla Basketball Club

R O S I E H E A LY

Rosie joined the board in July 2023 to represent the South Eastern Region and is actively involved in multiple local voluntar y groups in Banteer, where she lives with her family She has worked at Eli Lilly for 15 years, holding various management roles In Finance, HR and Third Par t Risk Management during her tenure

J O S E P H C R O N I N

Joseph is a resident of Macroom and deeply involved in community and environmental initiatives across M id Cork Actively work ing with Macroom Tidy Towns, Macroom GAA and local organisations, he has helped coordinate volunteer effor ts and environment focused projects Joseph is a qualified commercial pilot holding both MEI (Multi-Engine Instrument) and CFII (Cer tified Flight Instructor Instrument) cer tifications in the United States and Ireland

PAU L M U R P HY

Paul is from Newmarket where he lives with his wife and two children Paul works in Cork College of FE T – Mallow Campus where he has been deputy principal since 2013 He was nominated to the Board in July 2022 to represent the communities of Nor th Eastern Duhallow Paul is currently involved in a number of voluntar y organisations, ser ving as vice chairperson of Newmarket Spor ts & Leisure and as treasurer of the Board of Management for the local primar y school

MA RY WA L L AC E

Mar y Wallace is a former Board Chairperson and sits on the Women's Forum Work ing Group, she is Vice Chair of our Finance and HR committees and Chairs the Social Enterprise Work ing Group She was originally elected to the Board in 2015 representing the communities of our South Eastern Region She is a retired Civil Ser vant She has ser ved on the Boards of Management of both primar y and secondar y schools and is an active member of Donoughmore Community Council ser ving as a Director and Assistant Treasurer

B I L LY D E N N E HY

Billy Dennehy was elected to the Board of IRD Duhallow as a community representative for the Western Duhallow region He is the chairperson of IRD Duhallow ’ s Community Development Work ing Group He is an active member of the Kiskeam Community and is the current Development O fficer of the Kiskeam Development Association, Treasurer of Kiskeam District and Social Action Group and member of Kiskeam GAA Club He is work ing as an Area Engineer with Cork County Council Billy is married to Emily and they have two children

J U DY O ’L E A RY

Judy first joined the Board of IRD Duhallow in 1997 representing women ’ s ’ groups She chaired the Women and Childcare Work ing Group for many years and is a member of the HR Work ing Group Judy is a founding member of the Duhallow Women’s Forum She hails from Dromtariffe and is actively involved in her local community She is a long standing member of the Irish Countr y Women’s Association and is a member of the Kiskeam Guild She has also ser ved as Vice Chairperson of IRD Duhallow for three years

IRD Duhallow Board Members

J O H N B R E E N

John represents the Environment Work ing Group on the Board He retired in September 2022 as Director of Ser vices with responsibility for Environment & Water Ser vices, Fire and Emergenc y ser vices, Civil Defence and Librar y ser vices as well as Municipal District manager for the Castleisland / Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District with Kerr y County Council He has also previously ser ved as Director of Ser vices in Limerick City and as Town Clerk in Tralee and Town Manager of Listowel and Killarney Town Councils A native of Kilkenny city he presently resides in Castleisland

C L L R G O B N A I T M OYN I H A N

Gobnait joined the Board of IRD Duhallow in June 2016 Gobnait was elected as a County Councillor by the people of M illstreet / Macroom Municipal District, and has been representing the people of the area since 2016 Gobnait works closely with her brother Aindrias Moynihan TD to represent the people of the area The IRD Duhallow region was expanded to incorporate the greater Macroom, Inchigeelagh, R ylane area Gobnait continues to build bonds between IRD Duhallow ’ s existing networks and communities in her own constituenc y

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L L R F I O N N Á N F I T ZG E R A L D

Fionnán is a secondar y teacher and was first elected Councillor for the Castleisland Area in May 2019 He was nominated to the Board of IRD Duhallow to represent Kerr y County Council at that time and has remained on the board since He has been a community activist for many years par ticularly in the field of social inclusion for elderly, community aler t groups and also the provision of spor t for youth

J A M E S O ’K E E F F E

James is the Blue Dot Farmer Representative on the Board He is a four th- generation dair y farmer from Lismire He is Chairman of the Newmarket Charleville ICMSA and was elected to the National Council of ICMSA in 2021 James was on Kerr y co- op advisor y committee from 2011 – 2021 and ser ved as a Board member of Kerr y Co- op from 2018 to 2024 He is an outdoor enthusiast who is married to Aine and they have two children

C L L R N I A L L K E L L E H E R

Niall Kelleher is a Fianna Fáil Councillor representing the Killarney LEA on Kerr y County Council A native of Rathmore, he now lives at Knock anes, Headford First elected in 2014, he has ser ved as Cathaoirleach of Kerr y County Council and as Mayor of Killarney Municipal District He currently ser ves as Chairperson of the Local Community Safety Par tnership, and is a member of the Education and Training Board and the Roads Strategic Polic y Committee A farmer, postmaster and BPO Consultant, Niall is deeply rooted in rural Kerr y life His focus has consistently been on delivering for his community, championing local infrastructure, public safety, and development across the Killarney area

C L L R MA R T I N CO U G H L A N

Mar tin joined the Board of IRD Duhallow in 2019 He is a member of Cork County Council representing the Macroom Municipal District Mar tin was previously a Town Councillor in Macroom for 20 years Mar tin is a retired FÁS super visor who lives in Macroom and is an active community worker He is the current Chairman of the Macroom Tidy Towns group and on the Board of Directors of the Brier y Gap and also works with the Enterprise Board organising the Food Festival, the St Patricks Day parade and the erection of the Macroom town Christmas lights

C L L R I A N D OYL E

Ian joined the Board in 2019 Hailing from Charleville he was a founding member of Charleville Agricultural Show He is a member of the St Vincent de Paul, Holy Cross Conference and was its President for many years He is Vice Chairman of the Charleville Heritage Society, Chairperson of the Charleville Tidy Towns Committee and he is currently a board member of Ballyhoura Development, Charleville Sheltered Housing and Community Care, Charleville Community Hall, Charleville Chamber, and Newtownshandrum Community Association He also sits on the Board of Management of St Mar y s Secondar y School and the CBS Primar y School Charleville

DAV I D D OYL E

David Doyle joined the Board in July 2015 as a nominee of the Chief Executive of Kerr y County Council David holds the position of Senior Engineer in the Operations & Safety section of Kerr y County Council He is currently work ing on the development of proposals for URDF projects in Killarney and Tralee, and RRDF projects in Caherciveen and Valentia Cable Station He previously worked in Roads directorate and as Killarney Town Engineer David lives in Beaufor t, Killarney and is an active member of the local Tidy Towns

IRD Duhallow Company Str ucture

IRD Duhallow is a Community based Rural Development Company established in 1989 I t is a Company Limited by Guarantee without share capital I t has charitable status and our directors are voluntar y and receive no remuneration for their ser vices

The Board of IRD Duhallow adheres to the Governance Code Principles Statement since 2013 and is listed on the Register of Compliance The Constitution reflects best practice and is in accordance with the Charities Act, 2011 The Board membership reflects the integration of S ocial I nclusion and Rural D e velopment, the impor tance of the environment and community volunteers and the democratically elected Local Authority Members Reflective of the integrated nature of our work , the Company ’ s Board and Sub Committee Structures have evolved over the years and enjoy a massive amount of good will and voluntar y contribution in the region

Upwards of 3,500 people, par ticipate from the bottom up approach through these struc tures IRD Duhallow has a number of Work ing Groups with representatives from our Board and staff as well as community and State sector representatives This structure allows us to target specific exper tise beneficial to the implementation of the strategic aims assigned to the par ticular wor k ing group IRD Duhallow continues to str ive for excellence through the ongoing training and development of our staff We have attained the Excellence Through People Standard, I reland ’ s standard for Human R esource Management which is now administered by the National Standards Authority of Ireland

IRD Duhallow Staf f Biographies

EILEEN LINEHAN

MBS (Business Economics, B A (Econ & Geog), Dip Personnel Mng, Dip in Public Procurement, Dip High Performance Leadership

Eileen is the Assistant Manager and suppor ts the Manager in the day-to- day running of the company including Human Resources & the financial operations of a number of programmes & Social Enterprises She manages the LEADER programme and monitors LEADER through its IT system

Eileen suppor ts the Team Leaders in their roles to ensure effective and efficient running of their teams and programmes She represents Local Development Companies on Cork County Childcare Committee, which she currently chairs

HELEN O’SULLIVAN

B Soc Sc(Bachelor of Social Science) , Masters of Social Science, Dip Com Leadership, Mgt, Cer t in Agri & Dip High Performance Leadership

Helen is the Community Ser vices Team Leader and oversees the Mental Health Disability & Integration which includes the Work ability, Rural Community Health & New Arrival Initiatives as well as environment and farm suppor ts She oversees our Afterschool Ser vice, Youth, Child & Family Suppor t initiatives Helen works on both the LEADER & SICAP Programme She also oversees the Community Development & Youth & Equality Work ing Groups

NOLLAIG MURPHY

Masters of Social Work, H Dip Social Policy, B A (hons Sociology and Histor y), Q Q I level 6 Training Deliver y and Evaluation

Nollaig is a Development O fficer and work closely with the Assistant CEO ensuring compliance with programme regulations She works on both LEADER and SICAP programmes and is the staff resource for the LEADER Evaluation Committee She coordinates the Communicating Europe Initiative, liaising with schools and organising events that foster public engagement with EU matters She works on LEADER related heritage projects

She is a tutor on the T TRS computer classes, which are par t of IRD Duhallow ’ s Literac y Suppor t Programme

TRIONA DENNEHY

LENORA KELLY

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Agricultural Science

Lenora joined IRD Duhallow in November 2024 as a Development Officer In her role she is responsible for assisting with SICAP actions and community initiatives, while also suppor ting LEADER projects and rural development activities across the Duhallow region In addition, Lenora works as a Case Officer with the Local Area Employment Ser vices, where she suppor ts clients in identifying employment oppor tunities, accessing relevant training to enhance their sk ills, and progressing towards sustainable employment Lenora is also actively involved in the Women’s Forum and SAOI Network

CIARÁN CARMODY

B A in Economics and Geography, M A in Rural Futures Planning and Innovation

Ciarán joined IRD Duhallow in April 2024 as a Development O fficer, work ing primarily as a Case O fficer with the Local Area Employment Ser vices His responsibilities include suppor ting clients in accessing employment and training oppor tunities, assisting with SICAP actions and community initiatives, and suppor ting LEADER projects and rural development activities across the Duhallow region Ciarán also continues to assist in implementing the Dormant Accounts Fund to suppor t the Duhallow Carers Group

MBS Cooperative and Social Enterprise, B Sc Public Health & Health Promotion, IMCV Professional Manager Award, Training Deliver y & Evaluation (QQIL6), Dip High Performance Leadership

Triona is Employment, Training and Social Inclusion Coordinator with overall responsibility for SICAP and the Local Area Employment Ser vices Programme She oversees the Equality and Training briefs including: Duhallow REVAMP, the Walks Scheme, CE Rehabilitation Scheme, Social Farming, RSS and Tús She works with communities in Western Duhallow and M id Cork to access LEADER funding and suppor ts the work of both the Community and Employment Work ing Groups

LOUISE BOURKE

B C L , Masters in Criminal Justice, Masters in Management, Dip in Learning & Development, Cer t in Agri , IMCV Professional Manager Award; Training Deliver y & Evaluation(QQIL6)

Louise joined IRD Duhallow in November 2010 and is the Enterprise and Environment Team Leader She coordinates enterprise and tourism suppor ts under LEADER and SICAP, as well as work ing on the Sk illnet programme, and she suppor ts the deliver y of IRD Duhallow ’ s environmental programmes She also oversees the Community Investment Fund and the for tnightly publication of Discover Duhallow

MONICA GILMORE

Diploma in Learning & Development, Diploma In Business, Digital Marketing Institute Professional, Training & Development QQI Level 6

Monica joined the IRD Duhallow team in June 2021 and is Acting Team Leader for the Enterprise Team Monica works as Business Development Manager for the Company ’ s Community Enterprises through the Community Ser vices Programme She promotes good business practices, developing the social enterprises and suppor ting their staff Monica also assists with IRD’s Sk illnet Programme, suppor ting local businesses to upsk ill and develop talent She coordinates the enterprise and tourism actions of the LEADER programme

MELISSA HOLLAND

PG Dip in Sociology, BA in Sociology and Psychology, Information, Advice and Advocacy Practice QQI Level 6

Melissa joined IRD Duhallow in March 2025 as a Development O fficer She coordinates the Newmarket Afterschools as well as the WorkAbility programme which focuses on progressive employment pathways for individuals with diverse needs through education training sk ills development, and tailored suppor ts She also oversees the Youth, Children, and Families as well as Collaborative Network actions under SICAP and ser ves as the staff resource for the Youth and Education Work ing Group

SHANE McHALE

BA in Social Care, Cer tified in “SafeTALK” Suicide Prevention and “Children First”, QQI Cer tificate in Training Deliver y and Evaluation Since May 2025 Shane has overseen the activities of the Rural Community Health Project, a collaborative project between IRD Duhallow and HSE Mental Health and Community Ser vices Shane also coordinates and facilitates the modules delivered by the Wellbeing & Recover y College These activities suppor t our community members in building resilience, connection and wellbeing His work promotes recover y-focused learning empowering people through education, shared experience and inclusive community initiatives

IRD Duhallow Staf f Biographies

JACKIE KELLY

BBus Honours, Bachelor of Business, BBus Advanced Cer tificate in Accounting, Training Deliver y & Evaluation (QQI L6), Dip High Performance Leadership

Jack ie is the Finance Team Leader She is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the organisation’s financial systems and procedure including preparing and presenting monthly financial repor ts to management and Board She monitors budgets and expenditure and prepares financial returns and claims for all programmes Jack ie liaises with external auditors in relation to year- end accounts

MAGGIE O’CALLAGHAN

Administration Practice QQI Level 6 Advanced Cer tificate Maggie joined IRD Duhallow ’ s Finance Depar tment in Januar y 2020 She prepares and processes monthly accounts for both DCFS and IRD Duhallow Furniture

Revamp Maggie is responsible for compiling and presenting financial repor ts at the Social Economy Work ing Group meetings, whilst also offering suppor t to Management within these divisions Maggie liaises with the DCFS company auditors for the preparation of the year- end financial statement Maggie also contributes to the main accounts within IRD Duhallow along with the various programmes, through the preparation and processing of Accounts Payable

AIDAN SUART

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Agricultural Science

Aidan joined IRD Duhallow ’ s Enterprise and Environment Team in March 2025 He works across a number of programmes including the Farming for Water EIP where he recruits farmers into the project, promoting best practices and assisting in community led work to enhance the reach and impact of the Farming for Water EIP Aidan suppor ts environment projects and initiatives under the LEADER and SICAP programmes He is the staff resource to the Environment and Agriculture Work ing Groups

MARGARET O’CONNOR

MAAT-Accounting Technician, AIPA – Payroll Technician

Margaret is the Senior Accounts Administrator and has been employed by IRD Duhallow for twenty- nine years She has responsibility for Duhallow Sk illnet and Out of Schools Accounts She prepares monthly accounts and completes the financial returns for both Programmes and submits them to Depar tments on a monthly basis She prepares budget v actual repor ts for Management and monitors Debtors for each Programme She repor ts to the Social Economy Work ing Group each month on the financial information for Afterschools

JULIE O’FLAHERT Y

Bachelor of Business Studies & Finance, Training Deliver y & Evaluation QQI6

Julie joined IRD Duhallow in March 2015 and is par t of the Finance depar tment Her primar y responsibilities are in relation to Payroll for various programmes within the company Her role includes processing week ly payrolls and generating associated repor ts She is also responsible for CSP returns in relation to the Wages Grant received from Pobal Julie’s role also includes reconciliation of Creditor Accounts and processing payments to Suppliers on a monthly basis Julie also processes the applications for Personal Alarms units through the Senior Aler t Scheme

COLM O’CONNOR

Super visor y Management QQIL6, Training Deliver y & Evaluation QQIL6, Manual Handling Instructor QQIL6 Major award in carpentr y and joiner y QQIL6

Colm joined IRD Duhallow in 2016 and is the Rural Recreation O fficer He is responsible for the Walks Scheme on the Duhallow Way, along with the Monitoring and maintenance of all the Trails in the Duhallow area Colm also looks after the transpor t por tfolio in the company and coordinates the maintenance of our fleet of vehicles Colm is a member of the Health and Safety committee and is one of the in-house manual handling instructors

DAV

I

D O ’CO N N O R

Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Environmental Biology

David joined the Enterprise and Environment Team in March 2026 As a Development O fficer he provides exper t ecological advice to schools and community groups, suppor ts biodiversity enhancement initiatives, and organises biodiversity-focused events throughout IRD Duhallow He is also responsible for coordinating the Nature Detective Camp David is also involved in the SDG Champions Programme on behalf of IRD Duhallow

DERVAL CORBET T

ECDL, Cer t in Super visor y Management

Der val is employed by IRD Duhallow since 1999 Work ing on a par t time basis as an Administrator based in the Reception and Administration O ffice Der val deals with initial queries to the company and suppor ts Management and Staff with administration assistance Her areas of responsibility include the company ’ s administration requirements She is editor of the company ’ s monthly Newsletter, which is circulated to over 14,000 homes in Duhallow Der val is also one of the Liaison Persons with the National Vetting Bureau on behalf of Local Development Companies suppor ting Garda Vetting Applications nationally

E L L I E D O N O VA N

Regenerative Agriculture and Market Gardening QQIL6; Environment, Sustainabilit y and Climate, QQIL7, Train The Trainer QQIL6, Dip Applied Social Studies; Hor ticulture & Applied Propagation RHSL3

As our Social Farming Coordinator, Ellie manages our Social Farm and Community Gardens and facilitates Towards Occupation and Work ability gardening groups, as well as Gardening CE Scheme par ticipants She is responsible for recruiting and suppor ting host farmers and project par ticipants Ellie is a co secretar y of the Community Gardens Ireland committee and secretar y of The Environmental Forum s board of directors

NOREEN COURTNEY

Bachelor of Business Studies (Hons), MIATI-Accounting Technician, AIPA – Payroll Technician, Training D eliver y & Evaluation (QQI L6), HR Management (QQI L6), Private Secretar y ’s Diploma LCCI, Diploma in Business Administration and Office Skills, Cer t in Credit Union Studies

Noreen joined the enterprise office in IRD Duhallow in May 2026 She helps organise and promote courses, acts as liaison between attendees and trainers assists with procurement of contracts Ezines and social media posting, assists with organising the recognition of learning and business awards She assists with IRIS updates and SICAP files She is responsible for invoicing for Discover Duhallow magazine

IRD Duhallow Staf f Biographies

MARIE FLEMING

BSc Rural Development; Super visor y Management (QQI L6); Payroll

Manual & Computerise (QQI L 5); Cer tificate in Health & Safet y in the Workplace

Marie is super visor of the Rural Social Scheme and oversees the par ticipant ’ s placements throughout the Duhallow region She is secretar y of the Health and Safety Committee and coordinates company training and development in line with Excellence Through People guidelines Her other duties include overseeing the Company ’ s IT and Phone Systems and ensures we are compliant with national bodies such as the Charities and Lobbying Regulator and the Standards in Public O ffice

COLM CROWLEY

Diploma in Rural Development, Cer tificate in Business Studies, IMCV Professional Manager Award, Building Energy Rating Assessor Colm joined IRD Duhallow in July 2007 as the Warmer Homes Scheme Coordinator and is responsible for the implementation of several SEAI programmes which include the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, Better Energy Homes, Better Energy Communities and Senior Aler t Scheme Colm coordinates staff training in line with the National Standard Authority of Irelands Cavity Wall Insulation System Colm is responsible for the preparation of monthly accounts for Warmer Homes, Newmarket Pitch & Putt and several of the companies payrolls Colm chairs IRD Duhallows Health and Safety Committee and is a Manual Handling instructor

JESSICA BARON B A in Histor y of ar t, Higher cer tificate in Fine Ar t, Higher cer tificate in Tex tile construction and restoration, Training and deliver y QQI 6, Diploma Literature QQI 5

Jessica joined IRD Duhallow in 2016 and is super visor for Duhallow Furniture REVAMP With a strong commitment to the circular economy and sustainable living, she oversees the operations in Revamp, the Relove Paint project and the Circular Cups for Community Events She also facilitates Towards Occupation and Work ability training and work experience, as well as CE, Tús and RSS Scheme par ticipants

A MA N DA K E L L E R

Management & Business (QQI L6); Project Management (QQI L6), Computerised Payroll (QQI L6); Business Administration (QQI L6)

Manual Handling Instructor (QQI L6)

Amanda joined IRD Duhallow in September 2022 as a CE Assistant Supervisor In her role, she supports the CE supervisor in assisting individuals who are long-term unemployed, helping them build skills, set personal and career goals, and progress towards mainstream employment She assists each participant in developing a tailored progression plan In addition, Amanda is responsible for preparing payroll, finances, and administrative functions for the CE scheme

Y U L I I A I L I A S H E N KO

Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL), Masters in Criminal Law

Yuliia is employed as an Integration O fficer, suppor ting refugees and asylum seekers across the region with integration, housing, and access to local ser vices She organises workshops and training programmes focused on employment sk ills and well-being while also providing interpreting suppor t at the week ly GP clinic She works closely with Cork County Council under the O ffer a Home scheme and suppor ts Uk rainian par ticipants in the Tús activation programme She also works as a Case O fficer with the LAES programme, assisting clients with CV preparation, job searching, training, and employment guidance

PADDY O’CONNOR

Super visor y Management (QQI Level 6)

Paddy has been employed as CE Super visor for over twenty-six years and has gained valuable experience in aiding par ticipants to get the most from their CE placement His duties include super vision of IRD Duhallow par ticipants, providing advice, guidance and suppor t to them in their roles and guiding them towards mainstream employment through the identification of their training needs Paddy also liaises with the communities availing of par ticipants on the scheme to ensure that community needs are met to the highest standards Also liaising with the IRD Duhallow Job Centre Employment O fficers

DON MURPHY

Cer t in Archaeology ; Cer t in Oral Histor y; Training Deliver y and Evaluation (QQI L6)

Don was appointed Tús Super visor in June 2011 His main areas of responsibility include placement, induction, training and super vision of scheme par ticipants in the areas of built heritage renovation and vintage machiner y restoration Don has over 20 years experience as a subcontractor in the construction industr y in Ireland and abroad He is a master craftsman and stonemason and trains par ticipants on the LTI, New Directions and other inhouse programmes

A N I TA C A S T L E

Anita is the Laundr y Super visor at IRD Duhallow Community Laundr y ser vice where she plays a key role in ensuring high standards of hygiene, efficienc y and customer care across the ser vice With a strong commitment to teamwork and attention to detail, Anita oversees the day-to- day running of the laundr y depar tment, suppor ting both staff and clients with professionalism and warmth Her dedication to quality ser vice and her practical, hands- on approach have made her a valued member of the IRD Duhallow team

MA R I I A PA LC H A K

Masters in Philology, English and French language and literature, Cer t in Administration

Mariia is a Development O fficer, work ing on LAES, Integration and Community Food Initiative She also acts as an Interpreter As par t of the Uk rainian Response Initiative, she suppor ts a wide range of integration, wellbeing and employment initiatives including training courses while also providing guidance and suppor t to individuals exploring employment and education oppor tunities

Mariia also organises projects promoting healthy eating and reducing health inequalities among vulnerable groups

C A R L A A R AYE

BA Journalism

Carla is employed as a Development O fficer Previously she has worked with the World Rehabilitation Fund, a LebanonProject Funded by the United States Agenc y for International Development in the field of project implementation suppor t and documentation officer With IRD Duhallow she works on suppor ting migrants and refugees to upsk ill through our MAP project as well as suppor ting individuals access employment suppor ts through SICAP and LAES In addition, she provides assistance and coordination for various project activities including training sessions, meetings, monitoring and evaluation

SDG Champions Programme

Leading the way as a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champion IRD Duhallow was honoured to be appointed as one of I reland’s official SDG Champions for the 2025–2027 period by the Depar tment of Climate, Energy and the Environment The SDG Champions Programme recognises organisations across Ireland that are demonstrating leadership and commitment in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inspiring others to take action

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as par t of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development The goals aim to create a better and more sustainable future for all by addressing key global challenges including pover t y, inequalit y, climate change, education, health, sustainable communities and environmental protec tion The SDGs recognise that social, economic and environmental issues are interconnected and encourage governments, businesses, organisations and communities to work together to ensure that no one is left behind

For IRD Duhallow, the principles behind the SDGs are deeply embedded within our ethos and daily work IRD Duhallow works to improve quality of life, strengthen communities and suppor t sustainable economic, social and environmental development

As an SDG Champion, our roles include:

• Promoting the SDGs

• Show how organisations can integrate the SDGs into their own work

• Sharing learning and experiences with others

Communicating the SDGs

A k e y aspec t of the SDG Champion role is promoting awareness and encouraging local ac tion IRD Duhallow has committed to embedding

the SDGs across all aspec ts of its operations and communications IRD Duhallow ’ s Discover Duhallow Magazine is distributed for tnightly, both in print and online, with over 4,000 copies reaching homes, businesses, and community centres Since being appointed SDG champion, a ser ies of ar ticles have featured raising awareness of the SDGs by link ing them to local initiatives and showcasing practical sustainability actions

Collaboration

Collaboration is also a central element of the SDG Champions Programme Through the initiative, IRD Duhallow has had the oppor tunit y to engage with and learn from fellow SDG Champions from across I reland, including organisations work ing in areas such as food sustainabilit y, climate ac tion, education, social enterprise and community engagement

These collaborations create valuable oppor tunities to share ideas, develop par tnerships and highlight innovative approaches to addressing local and global challenges

As par t of this collaborative approach, IRD Duhallow recently welcomed fellow SDG Champion Angela Ruttledge from FoodCloud to the James O’Keeffe I nstitute, to discuss sustainability, food systems and community ac tion around the SDGs Such engagements strengthen the collec tive impact of the SDG Champion network and demonstrate how organisations can wor k together to create meaningful change

Being named an SDG Champion is both a recognition of the work already tak ing place and a commitment to continue building stronger, more resilient and sustainable rural communities Through collaboration, innovation and community leadership, IRD Duhallow is proud to play its par t in helping I reland achie ve the Sustainable D e velopment G oals and ensur ing that rural communities remain central to a sustainable future

Environment

Since its establishment, environmental protection has been a central pillar of IRD Duhallow ’ s strategic plan IRD Duhallow continues to promote and suppor t initiatives that deliver positive environmental outcomes, with a strong focus on raising awareness of key environmental challenges and protecting local habitats and species

Fluvial Geomorphological Assessment of Owentaraglin River

IRD Duhallow commissioned CBEC Eco Engineering to under take a fluvial geomorphological assessment of the Owentaraglin River The field sur vey identified agricultural field drainage as the main issue impacting the river, as it accelerates sur face runoff and contr ibutes to increased sediment loads Silt deposition was obser ved in the upper catchments, likely linked to land poaching and unrestricted cattle access to the river, both of which can exacerbate bank erosion

EPA Pollutant Impact Potential (PIP) mapping showed significant nitrogen and phosphorus inputs lik ely due to high stock ing rates and poor ly drained soils A key recommendation of the repor t was the establishment of riparian buffer zones through the strategic planting of native trees and shrubs The findings demonstrated that r iver bank sec tions lack ing vegetation were more vulnerable to erosion than vegetated areas

This initiative marked a shift from classroom-based lear ning to a prac tical approach, enabling par ticipants to engage with the natural environment within their own communities The intention of the programme facilitator, Irene, was that par ticipants would complete the wor kshops with increased biodiversity k nowledge, a stronger connec tion to nature, and greater confidence to act on behalf of biodiversity within their communities

Topics covered included: Bees and Pollinators; Hedgerows and Trees; Birds Near and Far ; Noc tur nal Creatures; Amphibians, Wetlands, and Ponds

Training focused on local species, habitats, and ecosystems, encouraging a whole - ecosystem perspective By link ing biodiversity education with meaningful community action, the programme suppor ted communities to better understand, protect, and enhance their natural surroundings, while contributing to wider environmental sustainability objectives

Par ticipant feedback has been ver y positive, with increased k nowledge repor ted in habitat identification, pollinator suppor t, and community-led conser vation actions The programme also provides a foundation for longer-term community engagement in biodiversity initiatives across Duhallow

Biodiversity Week

R ipar ian planting would reduce sediment enter ing the r iver, improve bank stabilit y, and intercept nutr ient runoff before it reaches the r iver, thereby enhancing overall water quality The repor t also emphasised the impor tance of protec ting r ipar ian buffers through appropr iate stockproof fencing and reducing herbicide and pesticide use The assessment noted that modifications to the existing drainage ditch net work could improve floodplain connectivity This would help slow river flows, increase floodwater storage, and reduce flood risk downstream

Biodiversity in the Community:

Building on pre vious investment in communit y-based biodiversit y initiatives, IRD Duhallow delivered a “Biodiversity in Your Neighbourhood” training programme through the LEADER Programme The programme was delivered in both Newmarket and I nchigeelagh

Biodiversit y Week took place in IRD Duhallow from 18th-22nd of M ay D e velopment O fficer David O ’Connor held a talk with the wor k abilit y group on the Tuesday where he spok e about the local plants and animals within Duhallow On the Thursday, a biodiversit y talk and ac tivities were carried out with the Af terschools Group This involved showing the younger children how to car r y out a bug hunt while the older age groups lear ned how to car r y out k ick samples along a near by stream On Fr iday, David carried out a walk and talk with our Ne w Direc tions Group along the grounds of James O’Keeffe Complex where he spok e about the impor tance of biodiversity and why we should conser ve it

Far ming for Water EIP

Farming for Water EIP

The Farming for Water EIP continues to play a key role in addressing water qualit y challenges throughout I reland, the projec t also assists in the implementation of the Water Frame wor k Direc tives aim of achie ving good ecological status in all waters by 2027 Since the beginning of the project in 2024, the Farming for Water EIP has so far assisted over 5000 farmers in implementing measures to address and improve water quality across the countr y

At a local level the Farming for Water EIP continues to play a vital role in the restoration and protection of local waterbodies throughout Duhallow, fur ther more the projec t contr ibutes towards the protec tion of biodiversity and climate change mitigation

I n total the projec t cur rently has over 30 ac tive par ticipants, this number continues to grow with farmers expressing their interests in the projec t Far mers in the EIP are implementing a range of naturebased solutions through the project along with following agr icultural best prac tices to ensure that nutr ient run- off is reduced, enhancing and improving waterbodies

Projec t Measures

Funding is provided for measures which go be yond the regulator y requirements Farmers receive a free advisor y visit where a far m ac tion plan is put in place to identify where ac tions are needed to reduce sediment, nutrient and pesticide losses to water A total of 43 measures

are available through the projec t which are designed to reduce the impac ts of these pollutants where identified Fur ther more, funding is available for bespoke measures on a case -by- case basis where they will provide a water quality benefit

Some of the actions implemented to date include the Management of Critical Source Areas, Riparian Margins, Water Bars and Sediment Traps

Stakeholder Engagement

Stak eholder Engagement is a k e y aspec t of the Far ming for Water EIP Building on the success of pre vious EIP ’ s, there is great enthusiasm amongst far mers to continue deliver ing fur ther water qualit y improvements across the region I n addition to engaging with farmers on a one -to - one basis, the project was promoted at a number of events across the year

I n June, an information event was held in the James O ’K eeffe I nstitute where an over view was provided on the project I n October an update was delivered on the project at our Farm Succession Event I n November a workshop was held in UCC with students of the Level 7 Cer tificate in Sustainable Dair y Development Course Fur ther promotion of the EIP took place through far mer training courses and a localised e vent held by Boherbue Co Op

Throughout 2025 , IRD Duhallow direc tly engaged with a number of projec t par tners of the Far ming for Water EIP including LAWPR O, Boherbue Co - Op, Teagasc, Dawn Meats and UCC

Next Steps

IRD Duhallow will continue to work alongside stakeholders in the region through the Far ming for Water EIP, fur ther de veloping the great wor k achie ved to date by mak ing fur ther improvements to water qualit y, protec ting biodiversit y and wor k ing towards reducing the impac ts of climate change

Agriculture

The IRD Duhallow Agr iculture Wor k ing Group is composed of far mers and k e y stak eholders in the region The group meets to discuss agriculture -related projects in Duhallow, the challenges currently facing the region, and future strategies for development within Duhallow

Sustainable Dair y Development

IRD Duhallow Sk illnet along with K err y Agribusiness and Car ber y Group continue to co -fund the Sustainable Dair y D e velopment Programme for their suppliers which is delivered by Universit y College Cor k (UCC ) I t is a Level 7 NFQ, 10 Credit Special Pur pose Award, the course is delivered par t-time over 12 weeks through a blended deliver y design The course has a strong focus on understanding climate change, policies and environmental sustainability allowing local milk suppliers to develop k nowledge and sustainability on their far ms and gain a UCC accreditation in Sustainable Dair y Development

Farm Succession Event

I n October, IRD Duhallow held a Planning for Tomorrow, Farm Succession Event The e vent was held in the James O ’K eeffe I nstitute and was attended by over 100 farmers Headlining the e vent was Aisling M eehan, Agr icultural Solicitor Aisling was joined by panellists Colette Vaughan of the D epar tment of S ocial Protec tion and M ilk Supply and Farm Succession Manager for Dair ygold Paul O ’Connell Far mers were given valuable insights into family far m transfers, wills and potential

collaborative far ming struc tures Also, on the day far mers heard from Aidan Suar t about the Farming for Water EIP and from Shane McHale who outlined the work of the Rural Community Health Project which included the various social and mental health initiatives available to farmers and their families

Duhallow Beekeepers

The Duhallow Beek eeper ’ s Association ran a series of beginner ’ s courses on beekeeping at the James O’Keeffe I nstitute this past year There was a total of 17 beginners this year, br inging the total number of members to 70 The apiar y located on the grounds cur rently has four bee colonies which are used for demonstrations to beginners in beek eeping, with the pr ior it y being on the use of native bee species and on best practices in Beekeeping

Waters of LIFE

IRD Duhallow is one of 10 Local D e velopment Companies which are Associated Beneficiaries of the EU Waters of LIFE project The objective of the project is to reverse the decline of I reland's most pristine rivers by work ing with farmers and local communities to develop new solutions The project consists of six sub catchments which have been chosen as demonstration catchments for the project

the Awbeg and Shournagh are demonstration catchments in the project The project consists of Result-Based Payments for habitat quality, far mer training and funding for the implementation of improvement measures To date there is approximately 260 far mers ac tive in the programme across the projects 6 sub - catchments located in Clare, Cork , Galway, Roscommon, Kerr y and Wick low

Social Far ming

IRD Duhallow Social Farming

Duhallow Social Farming (DSF) offers people with additional needs the oppor tunity to spend time on a work ing farm, connect with nature and meet new people I t is a voluntar y model whereby host farmers offer their time, t ypically one day a week for t wo or three hours, suppor ting par ticipants to engage in activities around the farm I t is a person- centred approach which aims to match par ticipants with their preferred type of far m based on personal interests, goals and abilities Our communit ybased programme extends across the spectrum of disability I t is inclusive of people with mental health conditions and people with physical, sensor y and intellectual disabilities

Duhallow Social Farming was launched in 2021 with the suppor t of the Depar tment of Agr iculture, Food and M ar ine Par ticipants and far mers are suppor ted throughout their placement journey Financial suppor t is provided to cover any additional health and safet y adjustments or insurance costs on the far m DSF also creates the oppor tunit y to reconnec t far mers with their local communities by opening up their farms as par t of the social suppor t system of the community

DSF Collaboration

I n 2025, IRD Duhallow S ocial Far m became a member of Communit y G ardens I reland; a net wor k of communit y growing initiatives across the island of I reland We welcome volunteers on Wednesday mornings to help on our S ocial Far m and Communit y G arden I n S eptember 2025 we joined other communit y growing projec ts from around I reland to co - create the Communit y Per maculture G arden in the Global Green area at Elec tr ic Picnic Global Green is a collaborative initiative, with dozens of organisations, networks and collec tives coordinated by Cultivate, the sustainability cooperative based in Cloughjordan Ecovillage

2026, IRD Duhallow S ocial Far m joined Talamh Beo, a member-led organisation wor k ing to create a better food system, where all people have access to healthy, nutritious and affordable local food

Training and Events

We were honoured to welcome M inister M ichael Healy R ae along with DAFM Executives Peter Johnston and Clare Gormley in July 2025 to visit Duhallow Social Farming Projects Members of the New Directions and WorkAbility groups were delighted to meet the Minister and Depar tment Representatives and show them around our social farm and gardens We also paid a visit to Host Farmers the Collins family dair y farm in Scar teen

We were ver y grateful to the fantastic team from Gilead Life Sciences who chose us as their charity par tner once again in 2025 The team made a generous donation of their time and hand tools to IRD Duhallow Social Farm

At the edge of the garden were Talamh Beo, an I r ish grassroots organization led by far mers and land-based wor k ers which promotes agroecology, regenerative farming, and community-led food systems I n

We celebrated National Communit y Growing by hosting a well-attended Composting Wor kshop with Donal O’Lear y of Waste Down

A Spring Gardening course was held over 3 weeks in March and Apr il 2026 Topics included Planting for Pollinators, S eed sowing and Propagating plants by division

Paul Lynch, Orchard Care Specialist facilitated an orchard care demonstration focusing on pruning young and mature apple trees

IRD Duhallow Social Farm’s Bealtaine Plant Sale on May 1st was a great success Thank you to ever yone who suppor ted us

Enterprise

Suppor ting rural businesses in the IRD Duhallow area is essential to sustaining local jobs, maintaining vibrant communities, and ensuring that people can live and wor k in their own area I n the rural IRD Duhallow region, small and medium enter pr ises play a crucial role in dr iving economic activity, providing ser vices, and fostering community resilience IRD Duhallow through its Enterprise Work ing Group plays a central role in this ecosystem by identifying local challenges, and delivering a range of enter pr ise, training, and funding suppor ts through a range of programmes B y wor k ing closely with entrepreneurs, star t-ups, and established businesses, IRD Duhallow helps to build capacity, encourage innovation, and suppor t sustainable growth, ultimately contributing to a strong and thriving rural economy

Through the S ocial I nclusion and Communit y Ac tivation Programme (SICAP), IRD Duhallow delivers a range of tailored suppor ts to help individuals explore, star t, and grow a business This includes one -to - one business mentor ing, offer ing personalised guidance on areas such as business planning, marketing, and financial management, alongside the Star t Your O wn Business programme, which helps par ticipants develop ideas into viable enterprises Targeted training for cottage industries such as Sugarcraf t plays an impor tant role within this approach, providing practical sk ills that can be directly translated into small-scale, home -based or craft-led businesses, suppor ting them to become sustainable incomegenerating enterprises

LEADER

The LEADER Programme plays a vital role in suppor ting enter pr ises and rural businesses by providing targeted grant aid and developmental suppor ts that enable star t-ups to establish, existing businesses to expand, and entrepreneurs to diversify their ac tivities I t places a strong emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and adding value to local resources, encouraging businesses to respond to emerging oppor tunities in areas such as

tour ism, food produc tion, green enter pr ise, and the circular economy By fostering job creation and strengthening the local economic base, LEADER helps to retain population and sustain livelihoods in rural areas Under the cur rent programme IRD Duhallow has suppor ted a number of pr ivate enter pr ises to create and sustain jobs locally across a variety of measures

The IRD Duhallow Business Awards 2025 mar k ed the 11th year of this flagship e vent, celebrating the achie vements, innovation, and resilience of businesses across the region Held at the James O ’K eeffe I nstitute, the awards brought together entrepreneurs, employers, and communit y leaders for a gala e vening recognising excellence across a wide range of sec tors On the night, The Castle Hotel, Macroom was named O verall Business of the Year and also took home Best Food Business, while I v y Aesthetics and Laser Clinic won Best Emerging Business O ther winners included Claddagh Design (Best in the Creative I ndustr y), The Beaut y Zone and Academy (Best in the Hair & Beaut y I ndustr y), Daly ’ s Tractors (Best Small Established Business), and Munster Drone Ser vices (Best Large Established Business) The event, hosted by Alan Shor tt, showcased the strength and diversit y of enterprise across the region and highlighted the vital role local businesses play in suppor ting the rural economy and community life

SAMUELE

The SAMUELE project (Self-Assessment Model for Universities Embracing Lifelong Learning in Europe) is an Erasmus+ Programme initiative running from 2025–2028 that aims to strengthen universit y lifelong lear ning (ULLL) across Europe I t does this by analysing how lifelong learning is cur rently delivered in higher education, de veloping a self-assessment framewor k for universities, and producing polic y recommendations to better embed lifelong lear ning within institutions and systems IRD Duhallow is an industr y par tner in the project which is coordinated by eucen The projec t brings together a European consor tium of par tners including the European Students’ Union, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Copenhagen Business School, University College Cork , University of Lille, Stif ter ver band, Station D enmar k , and FCU, alongside a wider group of associated higher education institutions and networks

IRD Duhallow Skillnet

IRD Duhallow Sk illnet continues to suppor t wor kforce de velopment across the Duhallow region through highqualit y, subsidised training tailored to local enterprise needs Wor k ing closely with the Enter pr ise Wor k ing Group members, industr y bodies and businesses in the region, the net wor k delivers prac tical programmes that strengthen sk ills, suppor t career progression and contr ibute to regional economic development Training dur ing the year covered a broad range of sec tors including childcare, agr iculture, leadership and accredited professional development, ensuring learning oppor tunities remain accessible within rural communities

mor ning focused on wellbeing and motivation The k e ynote speak er, Dessie Fitzgerald, shared his personal stor y of resilience, mental wellbeing and personal growth, offering prac tical insights drawn from both lived experience and professional coaching work

The e vent featured Sinéad Luce y Brennan, who spok e about invisible disabilities and resilience following a life - changing stroke and Julie Helen, disabilit y r ights advocate, who shared perspec tives on inclusion and overcoming bar r iers The panel also included M elissa Holland, D e velopment O fficer with IRD Duhallow, who coordinates the Wor k abilit y : I nclusive Pathways to Employment Programme M elissa encouraged employers to reflect on their own organisations and consider how they might create oppor tunities for people with both visible and invisible disabilities The e vent provided a positive oppor tunit y for reflec tion, discussion and suppor t around wellbeing in the moder n work place

Farm Succession Event

Suppor ting the Early Childhood Education Industr y in Duhallow Suppor ting the ear ly childhood education sec tor remained a k e y pr ior it y dur ing the year IRD Duhallow Sk illnet continued to deliver accredited training pathways for those wor k ing in childcare, helping prac titioners meet qualification requirements while improving standards across the sec tor QQI Le vel 5 Ear ly Childhood Education and Care programmes continued to attract strong par ticipation, while progression routes at Levels 6, 7, 8 and 9 enabled those already employed in childcare settings to fur ther de velop professionally

These flexible local oppor tunities are par ticularly valuable in rural areas, suppor ting staff retention, career progression and qualit y provision for children and families throughout Duhallow

Employee Wellness Event

2026, IRD Duhallow Sk illnet hosted an Employee Wellness M or ning based on the theme “Give to G ain”, bringing together local business owners, managers and employees for a

Agriculture remains central to the Duhallow economy, and IRD Duhallow Sk illnet suppor ted a Far m Succession e vent aimed at encouraging prac tical discussion around future far m transfer and sustainabilit y The e vent addressed legal, financial and family considerations involved in succession planning and provided far mers with access to exper t guidance from Agr icultural S olicitor Aisling M eehan The e vent also encouraged ear ly planning to suppor t long-ter m far m viabilit y and continuity across generations

Recognition of Learning

A major highlight of the year was the Recognition of Learning Ceremony, where more than 200 lear ners, families and communit y members gathered to celebrate their achie vements The e vent recognised graduates from a wide range of IRD Duhallow programmes, including IRD Duhallow Sk illnet par ticipants in healthcare, childcare and agriculture

Graduates from QQI Le vel 5 and Le vel 8 programmes were ack nowledged alongside lear ners completing Sustainable Dair y Development and other specialist courses Special guest Minister Michael M oynihan TD presented cer tificates on the day which celebrated dedication, achievement and lifelong learning across the region

Tourism

Tour ism in the Duhallow region is rooted in its r ich cultural her itage, unspoilt landscapes, and strong sense of community Nestled between the Cor k and K er r y borders, the area offers visitors an authentic rural experience shaped by traditions such as music, stor ytelling, and farming life, alongside outdoor pursuits including walk ing, c ycling, and nature exploration I ncreasingly, Duhallow is attracting both returning diaspora and new visitors into the region and suppor ting the rural economy

Festivals and Events

Through suppor t from the Day of the R egions Fund in LEADER, IRD Duhallow has played a k ey role in enabling small communit y festivals across the region to take place and thrive These events not only celebrate local culture and heritage but also deliver tangible economic benefits by encouraging people to return home, often bringing family and friends with them This influx suppor ts local businesses such as shops, pubs, accommodation providers, and ser vice providers, helping to sustain rural economies I n this way, relatively small-scale funding can have a significant multiplier effec t, strengthening both communit y spir it and local economic activity

A strong example of this impac t can be seen in the R ock chapel G ather ing Week end, where suppor t through the Day of the R egions Fund helps br ing the community together for a vibrant celebration of local culture, music, and heritage Building on the wider benefits of festival funding, the G ather ing encourages people with roots in the area to retur n home, reconnec t, and par ticipate in a shared sense of place This renewed footfall provides a welcome boost to local businesses and communit y groups, while reinforcing Rockchapel’s identity as a lively, welcoming rural hub

Newmarket Pitch and Putt

Newmark et Pitch and Putt is a k ey amenit y that not only suppor ts local recreation but also plays an impor tant role in br inging people into the area Through hosting competitions, club e vents, and casual visitors, it attrac ts players from sur rounding towns and fur ther afield, increasing footfall in Ne wmar k et This influx of visitors provides a valuable boost to nearby cafés, shops, and other local businesses, while also showcasing the town as a welcoming and active community In this way, the facility contributes both to community wellbeing and to the local economy

Equestrian Tourism

Equestr ian tour ism plays a significant role in the Duhallow region, attrac ting visitors, competitors, and spec tators from across I reland and inter nationally Facilities such as the renowned Green Glens Arena continue to place the area on the global stage, with 2026 set to see prestigious 2026: FEI Eventing World Championship U25 & I nternational Horse Tr ials coming to the region A k e y venue on the inter national equestr ian scene, M illstreet will play host to over 20 different nations competing across a number of e vents this summer LEADER funded Kilguilkey House fur ther strengthens this offering, regularly hosting largescale national and international events that draw substantial crowds and generate impor tant economic ac tivit y At a local le vel, the arenas at the James O'K eeffe I nstitute provide vital infrastruc ture for equestr ian enthusiasts, suppor ting grassroots par ticipation, small breeders, and local producers Together, these facilities create a strong ecosystem that not only sustains the equestr ian tradition in Duhallow but also dr ives tour ism and economic benefit across the wider region

Culture & Heritage

IRD Duhallow CLG suppor ts the preser vation and celebration of the region’s rich culture and heritage by work ing with local communities to protec t histor ic sites, record traditions, and promote music, and stor ytelling Through projec ts, training, and funding suppor ts, we encourage community led initiatives and raise awareness of the region’s local histor y and identity

Cultural Publications

Preser ving the Duhallow heritage through cultural publications has long been suppor ted by IRD Duhallow Under the current LEADER Programme we were delighted to recently suppor t the Duhallow GAA with the printing of ’Duhallow : A GAA Barony ’ book which has recorded the main local GAA events as well as featuring profiles of impor tant individuals and players in Duhallow I n Western Duhallow the Ballydesmond Chronicle which documents all the milestones, memor ies and spir it of the community was also LEADER funded While in our South Cork area the Macroom H istor y Group were suppor ted this year with a publication on local histor y talks covering a wide range of topics

Podcasting:

I n a moder n approach to preser ving local histor y the Duhallow Podcasting Training programme was launched which provides par ticipants with prac tical sk ills to create, record and produce high qualit y podcasts D elivered in a suppor tive and hands on environment the training covered stor ytelling, inter view techniques, audio recording, editing and publishing As par t of the Gathering 2026 in Rockchapel a live podcast ‘Reminiscing on Rockchapel’ was held and was a great success

Duhallow Heritage Centres

Duhallow is for tunate to have a number of communit y run her itage centres spread across the region all of which have been suppor ted by IRD Duhallow over the years Such facilities ac t as communit y hubs for young and old to learn and experience the heritage of the region As with all such facilities upgrading can be required The Glen Theatre Banteer will celebrate its 30th anniversar y this year and has recently been suppor ted to upgrading its ex ternal doors, lighting, and audio and visual equipment Bruach na Car raige R ock chapel is equally renowned as a heritage centre preser ving the music, dance and stor ytelling of the Sliabh Luachra area Built 26 years ago the facility now requires some upgrading and refurbishment works

Pipe Bands:

Cullen Pipe Band was founded in 1941and is one of 3 pipe bands in the region alongside Millstreet and Newmarket which is quite unique for such a rural region All have played across Munster, I reland and abroad over the years and are a constant feature at many cultural and spor ting events in Duhallow Preser ving the tradition of pipe band music in Duhallow is imperative and through LEADER we have been able to greatly suppor t this over the decades I n the current programme Cullen Pipe Band has been suppor ted this year to purchase musical instruments and uniforms for the band which will enable the continuation of their wonder ful musical recitals into the future

The Duhallow Choral Society

To mark their 30th anniversar y in May 26 the Choral Society held a concer t to celebrate all its achievements’ and contributions The highlight of this event was the premiere of ‘ The Voice of Creation’ which was a specially commissioned composition by Colm O ’Foghlú with words wr itten by Newmarket native and author Alice Taylor The society has enriched the regions cultural life by br inging people together through high qualit y choral per formances, nur turing local musical talent and fostering a strong sense of community

Rural Recreation

IRD Duhallow remains committed to suppor ting the strategic de velopment of rural recreation across the region, with the aim of preser ving and enhancing the natural environment while contributing to sustainable local economic growth Outdoor activity plays a vital role in promoting health and wellbeing, offer ing diverse recreational oppor tunities and fostering social interaction for individuals of all ages

The organisation’s Agr iculture and Environment Wor k ing Groups are guided by the objec tives outlined in the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023–2027, Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors This strategy seeks to safeguard landscapes, habitats, and built her itage through improved planning and management of outdoor recreation infrastruc ture, providing clear guidance on sustainable development practices

Recognising the cross-sectoral nature of rural recreation, IRD Duhallow adopts a coordinated and strategic approach, engaging proactively with k ey stak eholders These include landowners, communit y groups, local authorities, the National Trails O ffice, Coillte, Fáilte I reland, Spor t I reland, the National Par ks and Wildlife S er vice, far ming organisations, the Heritage Council, and other relevant par tners

Outdoor Recreation Infrastruc ture Scheme (ORIS)

The Outdoor Recreation I nfrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding to suppor t the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure, as well as the repair, maintain, enhance, and promote existing facilities in rural areas throughout I reland

The scheme is focused on suppor ting projec ts that not only ser ve as valuable amenities for local communities but also contr ibute to the tourism offering, delivering wider economic and social benefits O ver the past 10 years IRD Duhallow has invested over €750,000 in funding from ORIS into developing the regions walks and trails On

applications we are carr ying out works under the following measures:

Measure 1 – Small Scale Projec ts (Funding up to €40,000)

Measure 1 suppor ts small scale recreational infrastructure projects with funding of up to €40,000 Under this measure, funding was successfully secured for three projec ts: the Clara Loop, M ushera, and the M ossy Beds/I nchamay section of the Duhallow Way

Significant progress has been made across all three projects during 2025 and 2026 Works at Mushera have now been completed successfully The cur rent objec tive is to complete both the Clara Loop and M ossy Beds/I nchamay projects by the end of 2026

Measure 2 – Medium Scale Projec ts (Funding up to €200,000)

Measure 2 provides suppor t for medium scale recreational infrastructure projects with funding of up to €200,000

Under this measure, funding of €158,000 was secured for the Glen River Walk project Preparator y work is ongoing, with the project expected to progress in early 2027

Beara Breifne Way – Projec t Development Measure

Funding of up to €50,000 has been made available under the ORIS Project D e velopment M easure to suppor t the planning and de velopment of strategic large -scale projects

This project focuses on the development of the catchment section of the Beara Breifne Waymar k ed Trail, specifically the off-road route from Ballyvourney through the Duhallow area to Liscarroll

The projec t de velopment phase is cur rently under way, with se veral potential route options being examined to maximise the ex tent of offroad trail provision Engagement with local communities and stakeholders is ongoing to suppor t the advancement of the project

Community groups and individuals who may be in a position to assist, or who have relevant local k nowledge or information, are encouraged to contact the Rural Recreation O fficer as project planning progresses

Walks Scheme

The Walks Scheme, established in 2008, suppor ts the development and ongoing maintenance of designated walk ing trails by engaging private

Rural Recreation

landholders Under the scheme, landholders or their nominees are contrac ted to car r y out maintenance wor k on sec tions of National Waymarked Ways

IRD Duhallow administers the Walks Scheme for the Duhallow Black water Way This route spans an attractive section of approximately 78 k ilometres, ex tending from Clonkeen Church and Shrone Church, located nor th and south of the Paps of Anu, to Bweeng in County Cork

In Januar y, IRD Duhallow successfully extended the Walks Scheme on the Duhallow to 31 par ticipants

I n addition to each landowner tak ing par t in the scheme, the trails also benefit from the Walks S cheme D e velopment Fund, which has been utilised over the past four years to enhance the Duhallow Way These improvements have focused on upgrading trail infrastruc ture and significantly enhancing the overall walk ing experience

Fur thermore, as a result of developments suppor ted through Outdoor Recreation I nfrastruc ture Scheme (ORIS) funding, three additional trails have now become eligible for inclusion in the Walks S cheme Each of these trails has met the required standards, having successfully completed a Spor t I reland audit and subsequently being added to the National Trails Register

We will await the D epar tment of Rural and Communit y D evelopment and the Gaeltacht call for expressions of interest before proceeding with applications to include the relevant landowners in the scheme

Opening of the Kiskeam Looped

Walks

K iskeam looped walks were officially opened by Dara Caller y TD M inister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in December last year Together with local public representatives on the e vening, a huge crowd gathered at the trail head on the D oon road, where the opening ceremony took place Fr Danny Broderick P P blessed the walk and then people were invited to complete the walk

Organised Led Walks

Monthly guided walks are delivered across trails throughout the Duhallow region from M arch to October, providing oppor tunities for individuals to come together, explore local routes, and enhance overall wellbeing These walks tak e place along sec tions of the Duhallow Black water Way as well as a range of looped trails across the area

Facilitated by IRD Duhallow, these guided walks play a vital role in promoting local walk ing infrastruc ture The y encourage par ticipation in physical ac tivit y, foster social connection, and provide meaningful engagement with the region’s natural environment, cultural heritage, and local histor y

Ensuring Standards and Quality

Each year, Spor t I reland conducts inspections and compliance audits of all registered trails to ensure the y meet the required standards and maintain appropriate insurance coverage

IRD Duhallow, as the trail management agenc y for routes in the area, is responsible for ongoing monitor ing and maintenance to ensure trails remain up to standard, as well as for maintaining all rele vant documentation for inspection purposes

I n August 2025, t wo ne w trails - the Boher bue Looped Walk and the Kiskeam Looped Walk - were audited Both achie ved the highest possible ratings and have since been added to the National Trails Register

I n M arch, Spor t I reland also car r ied out an inspection of the Island Wood Walk , which lik e wise attained its highest rating to date

These outcomes reflec t the significant effor ts of local landowners, together with par ticipants in the Rural S ocial Scheme (RSS) and Tús Programme, in maintaining and enhancing the trail network

LEADER In Duhallow

Thir ty-Five Years of LEADER

For over thir ty years, LEADER has been one of the most successful and internationally lauded approaches to rural development in the European Union Bor n in I reland and across the EU in 1991 as a deliberately exper imental initiative, it has e volved through five successive programming per iods to become a cor nerstone of EU rural polic y, embedded in the Common Agr icultural Polic y as an expression of Communit y-Led Local Development (CLLD) I ts influence ex tends well be yond Europe: elements of the LEADER methodology have been adopted or recommended by the OECD – especially in Latin Amer ica, and its pr inciples are increasingly recognised in the wider academic literature on community-led development, social innovation, and placebased governance as a model of par ticular robustness and effectiveness

I n I reland, LEADER has catalysed investment in enterprise, tourism, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and community infrastructure in ever y rural area of the countr y Behind ever y funded projec t is a Local D e velopment Company a par tnership organisation rooted in its territor y, trusted by its community, and capable of translating local need into effective, accountable action CAP Network I reland (the successor to the National Rural Net wor k , which was I reland ’ s designated rural de velopment net wor k under the 2014–2020 Rural D e velopment Programme) has documented hundreds of such projects, providing a rich evidential record of LEADER’s reach and impact across the countr y

LEADER is not primarily a funding programme I t is a methodology a specific, struc tured approach to rural de velopment defined by se ven interconnected features, all of which must be present simultaneously for the approach to func tion as intended As the EU CAP Net wor k has obser ved, these seven features define LEADER as a methodology, mak ing it distinc t from traditional funding programmes, and success is dependent on all of these features being present and used together I t is the disciplined application of these features in combination that generates the distinctively high quality and locally appropriate outcomes for which LEADER is internationally renowned

Throughout 2026, the D epar tment of Rural and Communit y development are spotlighting LEADER and the lasting impact it has had on rural communities OUR CEO Maura Walsh, par ticipating in the social media publicity drive

LEADER ’23-’27 in the IRD Duhallow Region

The budget for LEADER in IRD Duhallow region is just over €2m for projec ts Now well into the penultimate year of this programme, IRD Duhallow has committed over 70% of its Nor th Cork budget and 40% of its South Cor k Having held numerous public meetings across the IRD Duhallow region through 2024 and 2025, there are numerous projects in the pipeline, with communities engaging to access funds We expect to have reached full commitment of the budget by October 2026

Local Development Companies Network (LDCN) Summit 2030 took place last October in Ballina, County Mayo The two - day conference gathered hundreds of community leaders, over 40 Local Development Companies, and gover nment ministers to shape a unified vision for communit y resilience and social inclusion K ey speak ers included M inister for Rural and Communit y D e velopment Dara Callear y, M inister of State J er r y Buttimer, M inister of State J ennifer M ur nane O'Connor, and var ious national and international exper ts

Joint Committee on Social Protec tion, Rural and Community Development

The Committee scrutinises the wor k of the D epar tment of S ocial Protection and the Depar tment of Rural and Community Development and the G aeltacht along with their respec tive agencies, and examines expenditure, polic y related aspec ts and EU M atters The committee is chaired by our local TD, Deputy John Paul O’Shea

I n Apr il, our CEO M aura Walsh and Assistant CEO Eileen Linehan were invited to address the Joint Committee on matters relating to the LEADER Programme and Rural D e velopment including insights regarding reapplication process, programme implementation, funding and communit y impac ts/benefits J oined by Padraig Fingleton, Donegal Local D e velopment Company, R oísín Lennon and Aileen Duffy, O ffaly D e velopment Company and Andre w Ward, I nishowen Local D e velopment Par tnership, the committee raised questions in relation to the rules and regulations and budgets of the programme

LEADER In Duhallow

IRD DUHALLOW Nor th Cork 2023-2027

75%

IRD DUHALLOW South Cork 2023-2027

75%

Community Centre Investment Fund

The development of the R ylane Community Centre marks a significant milestone in the continued growth and enhancement of communit y infrastructure in the R ylane area Funded under the Community Centre I nnovation Fund, this ambitious project is being led by IRD Duhallow as the lead par tner, wor k ing closely with the R ylane Communit y Par k Association to deliver a modern, inclusive, and sustainable facility for the community

The R ylane Communit y Par k Association has been instrumental in dr iving for ward a long-ter m vision for the area As a voluntar y, communit y-led group, the Association has under tak en an extraordinar y body of work over a number of years to develop what is now a thriving and well-utilised communit y par k This projec t has included the acquisition and de velopment of the site, the installation of essential infrastruc ture such as access roads, park ing, lighting and ser vices I t has also included the deliver y of high- qualit y facilities including, a children’s playground, a multi-use games area, and outdoor gym equipment These achie vements are a testament to the dedication, commitment and leadership of the local committee and the wider community

The construction of the new community centre represents the nex t key phase in this wider masterplan Once completed, it will ser ve as a hub for community activities, events, training, and social engagement, catering to all age groups and suppor ting the continued growth and vibranc y of the area

Significant progress has already been made on the project The design of the centre has been completed by RDF Architec ts, ensuring a highqualit y, energy- efficient building that reflec ts the needs of the communit y Following a competitive procurement process, the

construc tion contrac t was awarded to Lee Ther m, a contrac tor with ex tensive exper ience in deliver ing similar projec ts Chr is Hawe of OCF Project Management is the appointed construction manager ensuring, value for money, and timely completion

The project has also benefited from an increase in funding allocation The original grant approved under the Community Centre I nnovation Fund amounted to €1,595,574 Following continued engagement with the Depar tment and the submission of a strong case for additional suppor t, fur ther funding was successfully secured, bringing the total investment to €1,845,950 This increased allocation will ensure that the facility can be delivered to the highest possible standard and will future proof the development to meet the evolving needs of the community

A number of impor tant milestones have been reached to date I n December, the official turning of the sod was carried out by M inister for Rural and Communit y D e velopment and the G aeltacht, Dara Callear y, mark ing the formal commencement of construc tion works This was a great occasion and celebration for all the communit y and Fr Peadar Murphy gave a special blessing on the new construc tion site This was followed a couple of weeks later by the official cheque presentation by M inister of State, Jerr y Buttimer, highlighting the strong suppor t for the projec t at national le vel and recognising its impor tance to the local community The children of R ylane N S put on a shor t display for M inister Buttimer and gave a rousing rendition of the Bould Thady Quill

Construction works have now commenced on site and are progressing well The project is expected to be completed by October 2026, at which point the R ylane Communit y Centre will stand as a landmar k achievement for the area I t will not only enhance the existing amenities within the community park but will also provide a lasting legacy for future generations

SICAP

The Social I nclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is an I rish government initiative designed to reduce pover ty, promote social inclusion, and suppor t equalit y across communities I t focuses on empowering disadvantaged individuals and groups by improving access to education, employment, and community engagement oppor tunities D elivered in Nor th West Cor k and East K er r y by IRD Duhallow, SICAP targets those most at r isk of social exclusion, including the long-ter m unemployed, people with disabilities, migrants, and disadvantaged youth

The programme operates through t wo main goals: suppor ting communities and suppor ting individuals At a community level, it helps build stronger, more inclusive local net wor ks by funding grassroots projec ts, encouraging volunteer ism, and strengthening communit y leadership At an individual level, SICAP provides tailored suppor ts such as sk ills training, and pathways into education or employment

A k e y feature of SICAP is its emphasis on collaboration and local k nowledge, ensuring that suppor ts are responsive to the specific needs of the area B y addressing bar r iers such as low education le vels, discrimination, and limited access to ser vices, the programme contributes to long-term social and economic inclusion O verall, SICAP plays a vital role in foster ing equal oppor tunities and improving qualit y of life for marginalised communities in Duhallow

Communicating Europe

Communicating Europe is an initiative of the Depar tment of Foreign Affairs which brings together people of all ages and walks of life to learn about the European union IRD Duhallow has run this initiative since 2022 and secured funding again to implement fur ther events for 2025/2026 The initiative ser ves to strengthen dialogue between citizens and polic ymakers by back ing locally driven projects that help raise public awareness of European affairs The theme for this round of events was ‘ The EU as a Change Agent: Your Europe in the Duhallow Region”

I n Autumn 2025 and Spr ing 2026 S econd le vel students from six Duhallow schools, S coil Mhuire K antur k , Coláiste Treasa K antur k , M illstreet Communit y S chool, S coil

Phobail Sliabh Luachra R athmore, Boherbue Comprehensive School and St Mar y ’ s Secondar y School, Macroom became involved in locally organised classroom-based e vents I nterac tive group wor kshops were held in schools throughout the Duhallow Region Delivered by geographer and social scientist Dr Brendan O ’K eeffe, highly engaging ac tivities were specifically designed to involve students in a bespok e learning experience exploring the evolution of the European Union All students par ticipated in workshops that provided an understanding of the histor y and development of the modern- day European Union, tracing its evolution from the aftermath of Wor ld War II to its cur rent struc ture Events covered the national, local, regional, and historic impacts of Ireland’s EU membership especially in relation to rural development Suppor ting information was provided to the students including a visual presentation of some k e y projec ts delivered specifically benefitting Duhallow youth and communities The students lear ned how the European Par liament is the largest elec ted par liament in the world and most students were able to name some of I reland ’ s thir teen Members of the European Parliament Local projects suppor ted through EU funds were a significant feature of these wor kshops, and the student groups heard about the impact of the LEADER and SICAP programmes, as well as EU LIFE Groupwor k included competitive classroom-based table quizzes where teams challenged themselves to achie ve the highest possible scores

Communicating Europe

A highly engaging wor kshop was organised for the IRD Duhallow Wor k abilit y Group in 2025 This event inspired a specially arranged excursion to the Europa Experience in Dublin for this group The Europa Experience is situated in Chatham Street in Dublin Visitors to this centre can discover how the EU works and how the decisions taken by Par liament, Commission and Council affec t European Citizens

Here guests can listen to stories of how EU policies have shaped the lives of people from all around Europe, find out about how citizens can have a say H ighlights of the group ’ s trip were the interactive multimedia spaces on site including a 360- degree cinema space A specially organised talk was delivered to the group which tied in with the workshop they par ticipated in earlier in the year

I n March 2026 students in St Mar y ’ s School Macroom gave a warm welcome to I reland S outh MEP who visited the Transition Year classes to speak in relation to I reland ’ s place in Europe M r K elleher spok e to the students in relation to his own career and educational progression He also gave an infor mative presentation on the for mation and evolution of the European Union and the oppor tunities and the challenges that have occurred in the inter vening period including the war in Uk raine Students heard details of M r K elleher ’ s polic y related wor k within the European Union and what his committee work entails including debating issues affecting I reland He also spok e to group on European secur it y, social media and the issue of misinformation

understanding of the role of a M E P and the func tions of the European Par liament A broad range of subjec ts were discussed including I reland ’ s accession to the EEC in 1973, and the changes that have been bought about since this time The students also heard insights from Ms Funchion in relation to her professional experience, academic journey, and female representation in I rish and EU politics The event gave students valuable insight into how EU funding suppor ts the development and success of community initiatives and local projec ts IRD Duhallow C E O M aura Walsh spok e to students highlighting what has been achieved locally in over three decades of bottomup rural development for communities in Duhallow Ms Walsh also shared insights into the milestones reached by I reland in over 50 years of EU membership, par ticularly in relation to women in the workforce Ms Frances Moynihan Deputy Principal of M illstreet Community School also addressed the group describing how the school was built in 1973, coinciding with the year that I reland joined the EEC

Throughout the project activities students heard that I reland will be tak ing up the Presidenc y of the council of the European Union on the 1st of July This will be the eighth time that I reland has held the rotating presidenc y and there will be many e vents organised that will see I reland planning and chairing Council meetings and negotiations Engaging young people will be an impor tant par t of I reland ’ s Presidenc y along with strengthening communit y connec tions Across the Duhallow Region the level of interest and engagement shown by the young people in attendance at Communicating Europe events was par ticularly notable, with many ask ing thoughtful questions, actively par ticipating in discussions, and demonstrating a strong awareness of the issues being addressed Positive youth engagement and civic responsibilit y was a charac ter istic of this initiative, encouraging informed par ticipation and active citizenship throughout

In May 2026 K athleen Funchion MEP visited Millstreet Community School and addressed Transition Year Students The timing of the visit was par ticular ly significant, as it coincided with Europe Day which fell on Saturday, the 9th of M ay Students engaged enthusiastically throughout the session, posing thoughtful and insightful questions that fur ther deepened their

Afterschools

Since opening its doors in 2005, IRD Duhallow Ne wmar k et Af terschools has become an essential suppor t for families in Ne wmar k et and sur rounding areas The ser vice continues to provide a welcoming, and stimulating environment that suppor ts the social, emotional, and educational development of children while assisting families to balance daily life

A Vital Local Ser vice Children are collected daily from Ne wmar k et National S chools, ensur ing a smooth and secure transition from school to the ser vice The Breakfast Club operates from 7:00am to 9:00am, offering children a calm star t to the day with breakfast, games, and access to the sensor y/chillax room before being brought to school This ear ly morning suppor t remains invaluable for work ing parents

I n the af ter noons, children are welcomed into a suppor tive environment where they receive a nutr itious dinner provided by Duhallow Communit y Food S er vices (DCFS) Home wor k suppor t continues to be a k e y aspec t of the ser vice while also helping children who may require additional educational assistance

Af terschool ac tivities remain child-led and varied, encouraging creativity, learning, and wellbeing Children par ticipate in STEM activities, ar t, bak ing, gardening in the polytunnels outdoor play, pitch and putt, nature walks and free play which allows children to relax and decompress after the school day

Our natural playground is a popular feature which was designed for the children’s needs, encouraging imaginative and physical play while connec ting children with nature The addition of a football pitch has proven par ticularly popular

Camps

We also ac tively engage with the IRD Duhallow Communit y Food I nitiative (CFI), promoting healthier eating habits and nutr itional awareness within the local communit y The CFI programme helps children par ticipate in prac tical ac tivities including fruit and vegetable tastings This has suppor ted early exposure to healthy eating habits in a fun, accessible, and inclusive way

Recognition Fund

Significant improvements were completed to the Afterschools building dur ing the 2025 to 2026 per iod R enovation wor ks included the installation of a new copper roof replacing the or iginal roof under the Communit y Recognition Fund These upgrades have greatly improved the long-term sustainability and safety of the facility

Holiday camps throughout Easter, Summer, and Halloween continue to attract strong interest Themes such as Little Chefs, Nature D etec tives, Whizz K ids, and seasonal camps combine creativity, literac y, STEM learning, outdoor education, and T TRS suppor ts in an inclusive and engaging environment This is all suppor ted by IRD Duhallow staff and local primar y school teachers who join the team for these camps Since July 2025 we expanded our opening hours to full days 8am-6pm to suppor t work ing parents during the school holidays

The team continues to operate smoothly, with the five staff members work ing collaboratively to provide a high- quality and consistent ser vice for children and families Coordinated by Melissa Holland and managed by Ber nie O ’Connor alongside Dar yna, Elmira, Sinead and Halyna, IRD Duhallow Newmarket Afterschools remains a vital community resource where children are suppor ted to learn, grow, and thrive

20th Anniversar y

IRD Duhallow Af terschool is currently operating at full capacit y, with a strong commitment to maintaining this level of ser vice into the future I n September of last year, we were proud to celebrate 20 years of school age childcare, an impor tant milestone that highlights t wo decades of dedicated ser vice to the community Look ing ahead to 2026 and 2027, IRD Duhallow aims to fur ther enhance its visibilit y and strengthen its impact across the wider community As par t of these plans, preparations are under way to welcome M inister Norma Foley to visit the Afterschools ser vice This visit will provide an oppor tunity for her to engage directly with the children, staff, and families who benefit from the ser vice, showcasing the meaningful work being carried out

Equality and Social Inclusion

Introduc tion

IRD Duhallow is committed to promoting equalit y, diversit y and social inclusion across the region Through targeted programmes and community-based initiatives, the organisation works to remove barriers to par ticipation, par ticular ly for those in rural and disadvantaged communities B y suppor ting access to nutr itious food, employment oppor tunities and inclusive communit y e vents, we aim to enhance wellbeing, encourage ac tive par ticipation and strengthen social connections, ensuring that all individuals can fully engage in community life

Community Food Initiative:

Since Apr il 2025, IRD Duhallow has been involved in the Community Food Initiative (CFI), a four-year programme funded by Safefood promoting healthier eating in rural and low-income communities by improving access to affordable, practical and nutritious food

Our programme addresses barriers such as food affordability, limited access to fresh produce and gaps in food education Through cook ing demonstrations, nutr ition wor kshops, communit y events and awareness campaigns, it suppor ts individuals and families in mak ing informed food choices while strengthening social inclusion and community wellbeing I n its first year we delivered activities to improve food sk ills and awareness, including CORU-registered dietitian-led talks and cook ing demonstrations focused on simple, budget-friendly meals

pathways The projec t provides targeted suppor ts such as wor k place language training, digital sk ills de velopment and sec tor-specific orientation

To date twenty par ticipants have received work place language suppor t and completed training at “beginner ” and “ pre -I ntermediate” levels The programme has achie ved positive engagement from migrant communities through outreach ac tivities, infor mation sessions and individual suppor t planning

Through ongoing collaboration with local employers and our Enterprise Network the key sectors experiencing labour shor tages and demand for sk illed wor k ers have been identified This engagement will strengthen oppor tunities for future apprenticeship placements, employment progression and inclusive recruitment practices across the region

Multicultural Christmas Evening

Young people were also engaged through af terschool ac tivities such as fruit and vegetable tastings and creative food sessions I n 2026, this wor k expanded through family cook ing workshops encouraging shared lear ning within households Par ticipants received ingredient packs to suppor t continued lear ning at home As par t of the Bealtaine Festival, a nutr ition talk titled “Strong Body, Sharp Mind: Nutrition for Life” focused on healthy ageing and ever yday dietar y advice The event was well attended and received ver y positive feedback

Migrant Apprenticeship Pathways

I n Februar y 2026, IRD Duhallow and Ballyhoura Development officially launched their joint initiative MAP I reland – M igrant Apprenticeship Pathways with M inister N iall Collins The programme is funded under the I ntegration and Employment of M igrants Ac tion of the Employment, I nclusion, Sk ills & Training (EIST ) Programme 2021–2027 and suppor ted by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Government of I reland MAP aims to increase awareness, de velop sk ills and strengthen par ticipation of migrant communities in apprenticeship and employment

IRD Duhallow hosted its annual M ulticultural Chr istmas Evening in Newmarket, bringing families together to celebrate the festive season in an inclusive and welcoming environment The event welcomed over 130 children and family members and reflected the growing diversity within the Duhallow communit y The e vening featured a wide var iet y of activities for children with a special visit from Santa and Mrs Claus creating a memorable moment The continued success of this initiative highlights the impor tance of creating oppor tunities for families from different back grounds to come together, celebrate diversit y, and strengthen community ties across the region

Community Development

IRD Duhallow ’ s Community Development approach places local people, k nowledge, and strengths at the hear t of rural progress Through its Community Development Work ing Group, communities are suppor ted to recognise and build on the assets that already exist within their areas many of which may be underutilised or over look ed Using an Assets Based Communit y D e velopment approach, this process empowers individuals and groups to tak e an ac tive role in shaping their future Central to this wor k is the belief that communities should lead the decisions that affect them On the ground, Development O fficers work closely with communities, animating projec ts, strengthening capacit y and helping to identify the most relevant oppor tunities for growth and improvement

Investing in Rural Infrastruc ture

Rural communities rely on social infrastructure to interact and form bonds as par t of healthy, inclusive, and sustainable communities Each community is unique and it is not possible to apply a single approach to infrastructure development and redevelopment IRD Duhallow suppor ts the development of existing and new multi-use, cross functional, multigenerational accessible spaces that enhance the attractiveness of rural areas and contribute significantly to overall quality of life

M any existing communit y halls and facilities are in need of investment to ensure the y continue to ser ve their communities effec tively This includes upgrading buildings, ex tending existing spaces where needed, and improving k e y facilities such as k itchens and toilet areas M ak ing these improvements helps ensure that spaces are comfor table, practical and fit for purpose There is also a need for small scale equipment and resources that allow a wider range of ac tivities to tak e place, from communit y meetings and social

events to exercise classes, training sessions, and youth activities

Communities have been suppor ted to come together to design and create safe playgrounds, multi-use games areas (MUGAs), walk ing and running tracks and in suitable locations These spaces are strategically located to encourage family engagement and ac tive par ticipation across all age groups, including older children and teenagers, while also ensur ing accessibilit y for individuals with disabilities and neurodivergent needs Ensur ing full accessibilit y is a priorit y, with a focus on enabling people with disabilities to access community facilities safely and independently

Community Governance

A clear need was identified to suppor t both new and existing committee members and trustees in understanding their roles, responsibilities, and decision-mak ing processes Strengthening this understanding helps reduce confusion and potential conflict, while promoting more informed and balanced decision-mak ing Community groups also face a range of legal and regulator y obligations, including financial management, safeguarding, and data protec tion This gover nance training was designed to ensure members are fully aware of these requirements and help groups to minimise r isk I n addition, the training aimed to build leadership capacity by equipping par ticipants with the sk ills to effectively chair meetings, manage teams, and adopt a more strategic approach to planning, rather than focusing solely on day-to- day operations Emphasis was also placed on for ward planning, including succession planning and setting long-term goals to suppor t the sustainability of groups beyond their current membership By improving understanding of governance structures and processes, the training is expected to increase volunteer confidence and engagement, suppor ting better retention and attracting new par ticipants

Western Duhallow Elec tions

The Board compr ises of 26 members drawn from the public, pr ivate, communit y, and voluntar y sec tors, reflec ting a balanced and inclusive structure Eight community representatives are democratically elected to represent k ey geographic areas South Easter n, Wester n, Nor th Easter n and Southern Duhallow bringing local k nowledge and experience into decision-mak ing Board members show a high level of commitment to the strategic de velopment of their areas Their ac tive par ticipation in planning and decision-mak ing ensures that IRD Duhallow remains responsive, adaptable, and effective on the ground In 2026, Aisling Collins Gneeveguilla joined the board representing Western Duhallow

Discover Duhallow Magazine

IRD Duhallow ’ s in-house magazine has become an established and valued publication, delivered to households across the region e ver y

Community Development

second Friday I t ser ves as an effective communication tool, connecting communities and individuals while promoting local events, sharing news, adver tising job vacancies, and suppor ting local businesses With 4,000 copies per issue, complemented by an online edition, the magazine plays an impor tant role in enhancing community engagement and helping to address rural isolation The Discover Duhallow publication in par ticular provides a dedicated space for showcasing community projects, sharing local stories, and highlighting oppor tunities for par ticipation, ensuring that individuals remain informed and connected to activities in their area This ongoing communication plays an impor tant role in foster ing community cohesion, encouraging par ticipation in local initiatives, and suppor ting the organisation’s broader goal of reducing rural isolation and improving quality of life across Duhallow

Day of the Regions

Now in its 14th year, the Day of the Regions Project is firmly embedded within communities across Duhallow and continues to play a key role in suppor ting local groups to plan and deliver a diverse programme of e vents and festivals Funded through the LEADER programme, the initiative is designed to celebrate the unique cultural, social, and heritage identity of the region, while bringing people together and strengthening community spirit and pride of place The project has suppor ted a wide variety of successful events to date, ranging from the Maurice O’Keeffe Festival, the Ballinagree All-I reland Bowling S er ies, the D onoughmore Carnival to family fun days in R ylane, K iskeam, and K anturk These events not only provide impor tant social and recreational oppor tunities but also contribute to local economic activity by attracting visitors and suppor ting local businesses Engagement levels remain strong, with communities continuing to show enthusiasm and initiative in developing new ideas and expanding existing events There is full schedule of summer activities planned, fur ther reinforcing the project ’ s role in enhancing community cohesion and suppor ting rural vitality across the region

Kerr y Community Awards

IRD Duhallow plays an active role in suppor ting the judging process for the annual K er r y Communit y Awards, an initiative that celebrates the outstanding contribution of community and voluntar y groups across the county The awards recognise projects and initiatives that enhance the social, economic, cultural, and environmental quality of life in both urban and rural communities throughout Kerr y

Local Community Safety Par tnership.

Local Community Safety Par tnerships are being established nationwide with the aim to pr ior itise the voice of local people in identifying and addressing community safety issues in collaboration with a broad range of relevant stak eholders IRD Duhallow welcomed an invitation to join these committees with Maura Walsh sitting on the Cork Par tnership and Helen O ’Sullivan representing IRD Duhallow in K er r y The aim of these par tnerships is to prioritise issues identified by the community as safety concerns, ensure community engagement, develop a community safety plan and improve multi agenc y collaboration

Suppor t For Ukrainian Refugees

O ver the last year the Integration Team has continued to actively suppor t refugees, asylum seek ers, and economic migrants living across the Duhallow region Over this period, we have seen positive progress in how individuals and families are integrating into local communities and becoming active members of society Many are now employed in local supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, factories and pharmacies, while others are engaging in communit y ac tivities, including par ticipation in St Patrick ’ s Day parades, volunteering and community groups

IRD Duhallow first began suppor ting refugees from Uk raine in 2022, de veloping strong levels of trust within the community New arrivals to the region are frequently refer red to the I ntegration Team by people already settled locally, with contac t details of ten shared through word of mouth This reflects the trust placed in our team and the value of the ser vices provided

Medical suppor t

Through our par tnership with the HSE we continue to suppor t week ly clinics ever y Thursday with interpretation suppor t in Woodbrook Family Practice This enables individuals with limited English to access healthcare ser vices through local GPs

Accommodation

I n collaboration with the Local Author it y Housing Teams we suppor t proper ty owners who wish to provide accommodation to people under Temporar y Protec tion, connec ting available housing with families in need With significant changes under the Accommodation Recognition Payment Programme already in place and more changes expected this is proving to be a ver y uncer tain time for Uk rainians living locally

Since 2022, we have had to ac tively le verage funds to ensure we can deliver the much-needed suppor ts All funds have been delivered alongside each other, ensuring complementarity of programmes

Language barrier

Language sk ills remain one of the main bar r iers for ne w ar r ivals I n response, and with suppor t from the Communit y I ntegration Fund 2025, a 16-week English language programme, “D uhallow English Connect: Communit y Language Empowerment ” , was delivered I n addition, our SICAP-funded Evening Club continues to provide week ly oppor tunities for par ticipants to improve their English through film screenings and interactive quizzes in an informal and suppor tive setting

Drop in Clinics

SICAP funding also suppor ts our ongoing Drop -in Clinic projec t, with monthly sessions held in K anturk , Banteer and R athmore These sessions provide a safe and welcoming environment where par ticipants can access information, receive suppor t with challenges, and connect socially over tea, helping to reduce isolation and suppor t wellbeing

REACH

Through REACH funding in 2025, IRD Duhallow delivered ac tivities focused on education, wellbeing, employability and climate literac y for migrants and refugees The REACH programme, delivered by the E TB, has

suppor ted this area of our work for the past three years and subsequently complements our other funding streams and activities

Training and Education

• 10 par ticipants completed HACCP Le vel 2 Food S afet y Training, suppor ting both upsk illing and access to employment oppor tunities in hospitality and retail

• IPAF Training provided par ticipants with both theoretical and practical cer tification in operating lifting platforms, improving employability and career prospects

• Customer S er vice Training focused on communication, conflic t management and ser vice quality improvement

Wellbeing Suppor ts

We delivered a range of suppor ts, including an 8-week yoga programme in K antur k and Ne wmar k et, which promoted physical and mental wellbeing, stress reduction and practical self-regulation techniques A 6week wellbeing course with Alice O’Brien focused on resilience, self- care and personal de velopment Flor istr y and ar ts and craf ts wor kshops suppor ted creativit y, social connec tion and emotional wellbeing, par ticularly for those affected by displacement

Climate Literac y and Sustainability

Wor kshops delivered by The Environmental Forum increased awareness of energy efficienc y, sustainable food prac tices and responsible travel Forest bathing sessions encouraged connec tion with nature, understanding of local ecosystems and improved wellbeing through outdoor activity Through these initiatives, IRD Duhallow has continued to strengthen integration, social inclusion, employability, wellbeing and community par ticipation among migrants, refugees and asylum seekers across the Duhallow region

Duhallow Carers

The Duhallow Carers Net work , established in 2006, continues to play a vital role in suppor ting Family and Voluntar y Carers throughout the Duhallow region M onthly suppor t meetings are held in the James O ’K eeffe I nstitute, with a strong and consistent le vel of attendance throughout the year The network provides a welcoming and suppor tive environment where carers can share experiences, exchange information, and access peer suppor t from others in similar situations

Throughout the year, the Duhallow Carers Net wor k organised a wide range of ac tivities and e vents aimed at suppor ting the wellbeing and social inclusion of carers The annual programme included k e y e vents such as the summer outing, summer barbeque, annual carers mass, and Christmas outing, alongside a variety of workshops, information sessions, and training oppor tunities delivered through the D or mant Accounts Fund (DAF) Carers Fund 2025–2026 These activities continue to provide valuable oppor tunities for carers to connect, learn, and take time away from their caring responsibilities

Dormant Accounts Funding 2025-2026:

Last year, we were delighted to secure funding for a two-year programme, which has already proven to be a major success This funding has allowed us to fur ther grow the group, provide invaluable learning oppor tunities, and create meaningful lifelong experiences for carers across the region

Family carers, who provide unpaid care to relatives and loved ones, often exper ience social isolation, emotional strain, and difficulties accessing ser vices and suppor ts Throughout this t wo -year programme, IRD Duhallow has continued, and will continue, to deliver a comprehensive range of suppor ts aimed at addressing these challenges This includes regular group meetings that encourage peer connection and the sharing of exper iences, initiatives focused on health and wellbeing such as mindfulness and stress management, and access to training and resources that empower carers in their caring role

To date this year, the group has par ticipated in a wide variety of activities and training oppor tunities including Sewing for Beginners, M indfulness and M ental Health, PHECC First Aid, Beginners Computers, and many more This funding has provided an excellent lear ning platfor m for

members, enabling them to de velop ne w sk ills, build confidence, and engage in targeted training oppor tunities that suppor t both their personal wellbeing and day-to - day caring responsibilities

HSE Funding:

The HSE continued to provide S ec tion 39 funding dur ing the year, suppor ting the operational costs of the group and helping to subsidise the many events and activities organised for carers This funding remains essential in ensur ing that suppor ts and ac tivities remain affordable and accessible to all carers M any family carers continue to exper ience significant financial pressures, par ticular ly those relying on Carer ’ s Allowance as their primar y source of income For carers providing full-time suppor t, the emotional and financial demands of caring remain considerable I n response, the group remains committed to k eeping par ticipation costs to a minimum so that all carers can avail of the suppor ts, social oppor tunities, and ser vices provided by the Duhallow Carers Network

Equality For Women & Childcare

IRD Duhallow ’ s Women’s Forum was established in 1997 and continues to advocate for women in Duhallow, providing a strong voice and a power ful platfor m to address issues affec ting women in the region Women often face unique social, economic, and educational challenges that can lead to isolation and limited oppor tunities The Women’s Forum continues to evolve in response to an ever- changing society, suppor ting and empowering women of all ages and backgrounds

The Forum is made up of representatives from women ’ s groups across the region, who organise regular meetings and e vents These groups br ing women together, foster ing strong social net wor ks that enhance communit y cohesion and improve overall qualit y of life Such connections often lead to lasting friendships, mentorship oppor tunities, and a shared sense of belonging

IRD Duhallow ’ s Women’s Forum is affiliated with the National Women’s Council of I reland, ensuring that the women of Duhallow are recognised and represented at local, national, and international levels

IRD Duhallow is proud to have an all-female management team and to have achie ved gender balance on its board We are committed to promoting inclusive and diverse leadership, reflec ting our core values and mission

Duhallow Women’s Conference International Women’s Day Event

To mar k I nter national Women’s Day 2026, IRD Duhallow hosted a sold- out celebration on 7th M arch under the theme “Give to G ain,” br inging together 80 women from across the region for a morning of inspiration, learning and community connection The e vent featured a distinguished panel of speak ers, including broadcaster Brenda D ennehy, M áiréad M or iar t y, Or la M ur phy, Lorraine Leahy and IRD Duhallow CEO M aura Walsh, who shared insights on personal growth, wellbeing, leadership, resilience and communit y de velopment

The gather ing was opened by Women’s Forum Chair person Judy O ’Lear y, with guests enjoying brunch prepared by Duhallow Communit y Food S er vices A highlight of the event was the recognition of Judy O’Lear y ’ s outstanding contribution and leadership of the Women’s Forum, as she was presented with a bouquet of flowers on the occasion of handing over the role of

Chairperson to Geraldine Galvin The strong attendance and waiting list reflec ted the significant interest in the e vent, which provided an empower ing platfor m for women to connec t, share exper iences and celebrate the valuable contribution of women to community and rural development

At the 2025 Duhallow Business Awards, female entrepreneurs featured strongly across a wide range of award categor ies, reflec ting the significant contribution women make to the economic and social fabric of the region From retail and hospitality to professional ser vices, health, wellbeing and the Hair and Beaut y sec tor, women-led businesses were recognised for their innovation, resilience and commitment to excellence Their success highlights the growing influence of female entrepreneurship in rural I reland and demonstrates how women are creating employment, driving business growth and contributing to vibrant local communities throughout the Duhallow region

Equality For Women & Childcare

based guidance on nutr ition for training, match preparation, recover y and long-term health The programme helped players develop positive nutritional habits, enhance athletic per formance and improve wellbeing, while also suppor ting par ticipation in women ’ s spor t and strengthening community-based spor ts development within the region This event was made possible through funding provided by SICAP

Duhallow Nor th Cork Childcare Network

The Duhallow Nor th Cor k Childcare Net wor k was established by IRD Duhallow 11 years ago to br ing together managers from communit y childcare ser vices across Nor th Cork and East Kerr y I t has become a key forum for collaboration, allowing members to share exper iences and de velop prac tical responses to challenges in gover nance, staffing, compliance, sustainabilit y, funding, and training The Net wor k now includes managers from 20 community-based childcare facilities, along with representation from Cor k Count y Childcare Committee and IRD Duhallow By promoting shared learning and peer suppor t, it strengthens the resilience and qualit y of communit y childcare ser vices across rural Cork

Workforce Development and Career Pathways

Workforce development and staff retention remain major challenges for communit y childcare ser vices in Cor k , par ticular ly in rural areas where recruitment pools are limited R aising awareness of childcare as a professional career is essential to addressing this issue Through collaboration with IRD Duhallow Sk illnet, accredited childcare training programmes from Le vels 5 to 9 have been de veloped and delivered These courses provide clear progression pathways for those entering and advancing in the sector Community childcare ser vices have suppor ted this approach by offering work placements to Level 5 students, helping to build practical experience and identify potential future employees

Training for managers in the area of human resource management and pensions have also been delivered with Sk illnet suppor t

Capacity and Growing Demand in Duhallow

There are cur rently six full-time communit y childcare facilities in the Duhallow region, as well as several preschools and school-age ser vices Demand is ex tremely high, with most ser vices operating at full capacity and, in some cases, no longer maintaining waiting lists Currently, over 672 children attend with 156 staff employed in these ser vices

Community childcare ser vices play an essential dual role providing early years education while also suppor ting local employment and strengthening communit y cohesion There is a clear need par ticular ly e vident in rural towns such as Ne wmar k et, K antur k , and M illstreet for additional investment with fur ther establishment of more communit y childcare ser vices in our towns and villages This future investment is being tack led by the current Government ’ s €135 million programme for new Early Years and School-Age Childcare facilities I t is due to commence in 2026 and will present a significant oppor tunit y for expansion I t is hoped that at least one town in Duhallow will benefit from this initiative Addressing bar r iers to par ticipation will be impor tant to maximise its impact

Community childcare in Nor th Cork remains vital to suppor ting families, sustaining rural communities, and enabling economic par ticipation Through the leadership of the Nor th Cor k Childcare Net wor k and IRD Duhallow, significant progress has been made Continued investment, workforce development, and strategic planning will be essential to ensure sustainable growth and meet future demand for the region

Good gover nance is essential in all communit y childcare ser vices as it ensures boards and managers understand their respec tive roles and responsibilities, leading to more effective decision mak ing I t promotes accountability, transparenc y and compliance with legal and regulator y requirement, suppor ting the development and regular review of policies, procedures and strategic plans, helping ser vices to operate efficiently and sustainably

Saoi Network

I n traditional I rish culture, older people were deeply valued within their communities for the k nowledge and wisdom the y had gained over a lifetime The word “Saoi” was used to describe an elder k nown for insight, exper ience, and guidance R eflec ting this tradition, IRD Duhallow established the Duhallow Saoi Net wor k as a suppor t system for older people in the region

The network brings together representatives from 21 active retirement groups, who meet quar terly at the James O’Keeffe Institute in Newmarket Suppor ting people in later life is a key focus for IRD Duhallow, par ticularly as almost 16% of the local population is over 65 considerably higher than the national average

To better respond to this demographic, IRD Duhallow has carried out a detailed assessment of the needs of older people This has highlighted the impor tance of targeted initiatives that promote social inclusion Key areas of focus include health and well-being, transpor t, housing, safety, social connection, and financial security

The Saoi Network plays an impor tant role in representing these needs, helping to shape initiatives that encourage ac tive ageing and ensure older people remain connec ted, suppor ted, and involved in their communities

IRD Duhallow ’s 7th Annual Seniors’ Conference

IRD Duhallow ’ s 7th Annual S eniors’ Conference took place in O c tober 2025 at the James O’Keeffe I nstitute in Newmarket, welcoming over 220 guests The event was a huge success, with demand so high that many people had to be placed on a waiting list

The conference was officially opened by Saoi Net wor k Chair K athleen Moylan Saoi is IRD Duhallow ’ s Active Retirement Network , representing 21 groups across the region and suppor ting older people to stay active, connected, and involved in their communities

Guest speaker Aoife McDonald delivered an informative talk on nutrition and healthy ageing, encouraging attendees to mak e small lifest yle changes to improve wellbeing Shane McHale outlined the wide range of suppor ts available through IRD Duhallow, including walk ing groups, book clubs, and listening ser vices Enter tainment was provided by John O’Sullivan, whose jokes and recitations brought plenty of laughter to the marquee Popular speak er Colette Vaughan returned to provide advice on welfare r ights and entitlements, while Nora K eane led an uplif ting chair yoga session The e vent concluded with an inspir ing k e ynote address from Aileen H ick ie, CEO of Parentline Guests also enjoyed lunch from Duhallow Communit y Food S er vices and music from Sheila Fitzgerald

The event was made possible through funding from the Social I nclusion and Communit y Ac tivation Programme (SICAP), co -funded by the I rish G over nment through the D epar tment of Rural and Communit y

Development and the European Social Fund Plus under the Employment, Inclusion, Sk ills, and Training (EIST ) Programme 2021–2027, as well as HSE funding

Bealtaine

Bealtaine is a month-long festival held in May that celebrates active ageing and encourages older people to engage with and par ticipate in their communities To launch the Duhallow Bealtaine Festival, the IRD Duhallow Saoi Net wor k was delighted to host the annual Dawn M ass at the Source of the Black water on May 1st, 2026 Blessed with mild, dr y weather, it was a truly special and memorable mor ning for all who attended Mass was celebrated by Fr Tom Looney, with beautiful musical per formances by Laura Dunlea

A total of 18 events took place as par t of Bealtaine 2025, including a M ovie afternoon, conversational I rish class, Grief and loss information session, and a variety of ac tivities organised by local ac tive retirement groups to mark the festival

Jack ’ s Myster y Tour is always a highlight of the Bealtaine calendar as we fondly remember Jack R oche, for mer chair man of the Saoi Network , who passed away in Januar y 2024 On Thursday, 28 M ay, members from various Active Retirement groups travelled to Count y K err y for this year ’ s Myster y Tour The day began with tea and scones at The Rose Hotel, followed by a visit to Dingle O ceanwor ld Aquar ium M embers then enjoyed lunch at the famous Páidí Ó S é’s Pub before travelling on to Blask et Centre The group also took a scenic dr ive through Dingle Peninsula before finishing the day with an excellent dinner at Devon I nn Hotel I t was a most enjoyable day for ever yone and a lovely oppor tunity for members from different groups to come together and enjoy each other ’ s company

WorkAbility: Progressive Pathways to Employment

Without access to meaningful work , many individuals struggle to access employment or to upsk ill through education Co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) through the Employment, I nclusion, Sk ills and Training (EIST ) Programme 2021–2027 alongside the D epar tment of Social Protection (DSP) the IRD Duhallow WorkAbility programme aims to bridge this gap by suppor ting people into sustainable and fulfilling employment

I t focuses on those of ten underser ved by traditional education and employment systems, par ticular ly individuals with disabilities or nontraditional learning needs

I n Cork County, access to employment remains unequal with 21% of the population living with at least one disabilit y M any others exper ience hidden disabilities, including mental health conditions and autism, which fur ther limits oppor tunities The lack of adequate public transpor t is another barrier These challenges are a reality in Duhallow

Our Work ability programme has evolved with a unique person- centred approach placing strong focus on one -to - one mentor ing and tailored career guidance With suppor t from tutor Ailbe Coffey and co - ordinator Melissa Holland, par ticipants identify and develop their strengths More than 30 individuals have benefited from this approach to date, demonstrating its impac t Dr iving lessons are also a pr ior it y where par ticipants are suppor ted to obtain lear ner per mits and full dr iving licences

The programme also combines individual suppor ts with group -based learning, where they join as a group twice a week Group programmes are typically for those aged 18 to 30 and complement suppor ts available to people of all ages Sessions throughout the year have included:

• Financial literac y and budgeting with MABS Mallow

• Digital technology and social connection

• Creative writing and drama

• Social farming

WorkWise and social relationships

• Mental health awareness

• Life Coaching

These sessions help build confidence, sk ills and readiness for employment Our current par ticipants will graduate from the programme this August with new par ticipants already enrolled for the nex t semester

J ob -shadowing has been a k e y highlight of the programme I t allows par ticipants and employers to better understand each other and eases the transition into the wor k place This was delivered in collaboration with local businesses, including R adio Kerr y and Doneraile House Additionally, some par ticipants have also progressed into TÚS or CE schemes that This has helped

people develop confidence in a real-wor ld setting, without the added pressure of full-time hours

Par ticipants also took par t in social and educational trips A highlight was a visit to Crok e Park in November, a first-time experience for many On the same day, they visited the Europa Exper ience, where they lear ned about the role of the European Union and its relevance to I reland

I n Januar y IRD Duhallow hosted Amanda Fox of Autastic for a workshop on neuroaffirmative work places She shared practical ways employers can adapt roles and environments to suppor t neurodivergent and disabled staff The session also highlighted suppor ts available through the Depar tment of Social Protection This was a ver y informative workshop for IRD Duhallow staff who suppor t so many par ticipants on programmes, local businesses and social enterprises across Duhallow

Look ing ahead the programme will deepen engagement with local businesses and pr ior itise job -shadowing for the par ticipants in the programme The aim is to promote inclusive practices and highlight the value of a diverse workforce This is essential for the continued growth of the Duhallow economy, as greater inclusion can help address labour shor tages while promoting social equity Accredited training courses will also feature in assisting those suitable to upsk ill

Disability And Mental Health

The last 12 months has seen IRD Duhallow broaden our effor ts in addressing mental health with a whole of life, whole of communit y approach Mental Health is ever yone ’ s business, relevant to all, and IRD Duhallow has taken significant steps towards creating a community that is empathetic, empowered and educated on matters relating to our mental health

Our Role in Mental Health Suppor t

The role of IRD Duhallow is to provide ongoing, easy to access, nonclinical ser vices that act as suppor ts in mental health recover y, or ideally, play a par t in preventing challenges arising in the first place This cannot be done in isolation of course Much of our effor ts are complementar y to existing mental health ser vices where we ac t as a br idge for those either seek ing to engage with, or step down from, mainstream mental health ser vices We also work alongside other ser vices in IRD Duhallow, such as the Local Area Employment Ser vices, Work ability and Tús all of whom are suppor ting par ticipants and clients in the area of employment and progression but can encounter mental health and wellbeing challenges also

However, our biggest collaborators towards reaching our goals are the communit y members of Duhallow themselves Lived Exper ience has become an integral par t of our approach Lived Experience in this case refers to people who have experience of living with and recovering from mental health challenges Therefore, when community members engage with us the y k now that we are not merely talk ing the talk , but have walked the walk too

The Wellbeing & Recover y College

The first ser vice of its k ind in this region, the Wellbeing & Recover y College has Lived Exper ience at its core Shane M cHale who coordinates this ser vice is not just presenting information, but also draws upon his own experience of living with depression, recovering over time and rebuilding a life and sense of self that goes beyond his diagnoses This opens the door for others to share their own experience and insights, struggles and successes

Attendees of this ser vice are refer red to as students, and our modules follow the academic calendar Students may find themselves suppor ting someone the y care about, others are in recover y from mental health challenges themselves and many simply want to learn more about how to tak e care of their own wellbeing Students get to enjoy a sense of community, of connection and of belonging to something bigger

Rural Isolation

The Rural Community Health Project, a collaborative effor t between IRD Duhallow and the HSE, is the only one of its k ind in the countr y and operates in three locations across Nor th Cor k : Duhallow, Ballyhoura Development and Avondhu Black water Established to address the high levels of mental health challenges and suicide in our region, the project is now in its four th year and has recently been extended for another three years IRD Duhallow ’ s many years ser ving the community means that it is an ideal host for this project as it presents us with the oppor tunity to build upon pre - existing links and relationships in the community

Disability And Mental Health

Creating oppor tunities to tack le rural isolation is a priority of this project

This can tak e many for ms, one of the most successful of which is the Walk ing & S ocial Club Ever y week our walk ers meet t wice a week for exercise and conversation, usually the walks take place in the Island Wood in Ne wmar k et For those look ing to exercise the mind, we have our ‘Reading For The Brain’ Bookclub who meet week ly to discuss the current book they are reading, and perhaps discuss a few other topics too! Our New Directions group for people experiencing long-term challenges to their mental health and wellbeing meet ever y Fr iday, and tak e par t in activities such as ar ts and crafts, computer sk ills, mindfulness and much more under the guidance of activities coordinator Thomas Dillon In Social Farming, the group help out with ever y stage of the garden’s production, from setting seeds to planting, weeding and eventually har vesting They have also recently suppor ted a ver y successful plant sale here in Newmarket

All of these clubs provide valuable social outlets, that are free to attend, where lik e -minded people come together to enjoy the presence of others and par ticipate in the community life of Duhallow

We also wor k collaboratively with other e vents and teams in IRD Duhallow, such as the recent session on “Grief & Loss” which was held as par t of the Bealtaine Festival, or addressing the S eniors Conference to raise awareness of mental health challenges When one -to - one suppor t is required, our Listening Ser vice is available to provide free, confidential suppor t to community members who are experiencing difficulties of any k ind

Planning For Tomorrow

The long-term safet y, health and wellbeing of our farming communit y was the pr imar y focus of “Planning For Tomor row ” , a ser ies of e vents suppor ted by the D epar tment of Agr iculture, Food and the M ar ine A wide range of activities were under taken including tractor safety training for teenagers and chainsaw safety courses The highlight was our Farm Succession event headlined by agricultural solicitor Aisling Meehan which was a complete sell out with over 100 farming families in attendance We took the oppor tunit y to provide free blood pressure checks for the community, provided by the I rish Hear t Foundation, and our range of mental health suppor ts were highlighted in a presentation during the event

themselves Men’s Sheds have emerged as a key piece of infrastructure in reaching the men of our community and this year IRD Duhallow has continued to suppor t their development locally by suppor ting, through grant aid, the Western Duhallow Men’s Shed with an ex tension to their base in K iskeam

Whole of Community approach

Ever yone has mental health and mental health and wellbeing is for ever yone That ’ s why IRD Duhallow places great emphasis on training our staff so they are equipped to suppor t community members in whatever they encounter This year staff have under taken ENGAGE Connecting With M en training, delivered by the M en ’ s D e velopment Net wor k , to lear n more about how to tailor their wor k to meet the needs of men and encourage par ticipation IRD Duhallow staff also completed SafeTALK this year This suicide awareness and inter vention training equips staff with the sk ills to identify people who may be at risk of suicide and the sk ills and confidence to engage with these people in a suppor tive manner

Duhallow Emotional Suppor t and Counselling Ser vice

The Duhallow Emotional Suppor t and Counselling S er vice offers an emotional suppor t, and an in-house counselling ser vice Trained professionals overseen by Co Ordinator Chr istine O ’R iordan offer guidance, coping strategies and a listening ear to help manage stress, anxiet y and other mental health concer ns in a safe and confidential space This free ser vice is easily accessible and is proving increasingly popular, with 5 volunteer counsellors now meeting clients I t is available to anyone living in the Duhallow area to access

Men’s Mental Health

2026 will see the launch of the IRD Duhallow Men’s Forum, which will add value to the wor k already being done by the lik es of the M en ’ s Sheds and will be a forum for raising the issues that are impacting men This structure will ensure bottom up par ticipation and solutions from the communit y members

Local Area Employment Ser vice (LAES)

IRD Duhallow Local Area Employment Ser vice (LAES) provides tailored employment suppor t and guidance to jobseek ers, assisting individuals to access, retur n to, or progress within the wor kforce The ser vice is delivered on behalf of the D epar tment of S ocial Protec tion under the National Employment Ac tion Plan, with a strong emphasis on one -toone engagement, career planning, and link ing clients with rele vant training and employment oppor tunities

Following national reform, a new Regional Employment Ser vice model was introduced to replace the pre vious J obs Clubs and Local Employment S er vices in ur ban areas IRD Duhallow became par t of a successful consor tium in August 2022 to deliver this ser vice across the Cor k region, promoting a more streamlined and consistent approach while still responding to local needs

Cor k Cit y Par tnership leads the consor tium, alongside IRD Duhallow, SECAD, Avondhu Black water Par tnership, and Ballyhoura Development

Cor k Cit y Par tnership delivers ser vices within the cit y area, while each par tner organisation works within their own LEADER regions, ensuring strong local k nowledge and consistent suppor t across communities This collaborative structure allows ser vices to remain accessible, responsive, and tailored to the needs of both rural and urban clients

Key Highlights from This Year:

• 736 referrals to date: A total of 736 individuals have been suppor ted through LAES, reflec ting continued demand for accessible, locally delivered employment suppor ts

• New office space: The

Ne wmar k et office relocated to a ne wly renovated ground floor space, improving accessibility and client engagement The upgraded facilit y includes a welcoming waiting area, infor mation screens promoting IRD Duhallow ac tivities, and access to useful resources such as leaflets and Social Welfare forms

The Macroom office also remains an impor tant hub for ser vice deliver y in M id- Cor k , with improved signage increasing its visibilit y along the town’s main street

• Ongoing staff training: Case officers continued to strengthen their sk ills through professional development oppor tunities including suicide prevention training, financial awareness for non-financial wor k ers, and I nsights profile training, ensuring high- quality suppor t for clients

Progression:

Suppor ting progression into employment remains a key focus of the LAES programme To date, 34 par ticipants have successfully progressed into full-time employment through the guidance and suppor t provided Through SICAP and internal IRD Duhallow training oppor tunities, clients have developed valuable sk ills, increased confidence, and moved closer to entering the workforce

Suppor t continues after employment has been secured, with case officers carr ying out follow-up meetings ever y 17 weeks to monitor progress and identify any additional suppor ts required Par ticipants remain connected with IRD Duhallow for up to 52 weeks af ter enter ing employment, helping to promote sustainable long-term employment outcomes and ensuring individuals feel suppor ted throughout their transition into the work place

‘My experience with the LAES programme was really positive. I gained new information and learnt about new oppor tunities/suppor t that was available to me The LAES officer I worked with was ver y easy to talk to and always helpful with any questions I had They took the time to go through ever ything clearly and always replied promptly any time I had a question bet ween meetings. The meetings were flexible and always worked around me, which made things much easier I was able to go from par t-time to full-time employment with their suppor t so I’m really glad I took par t ’

Sandra - LAES Client

Community Employment

IRD Duhallow continues to deliver its Community Employment (CE) S cheme on behalf of the Depar tment of Social Protection, providing struc tured employment suppor ts to individuals who are long ter m unemployed across the Duhallow region

The CE Scheme operates as par t of IRD Duhallow ’ s broader employment and communit y suppor t ser vices While the Tús initiative suppor ts individuals tak ing initial steps back into the work place, the CE Scheme offers a more struc tured and de velopmental pathway Through tailored I ndividual Lear ner Plans, par ticipants are suppor ted to identify career goals, gain relevant work experience, and build the sk ills necessar y to transition into sustainable employment The complementar y nature of Tús and CE ensures a clear progression route for par ticipants

Scheme Capacity and Community Reach

The CE S cheme has now been expanded and has been granted 51 places, reflec ting both demand and the continued confidence in the programme ’ s impac t This increase allows the scheme to fur ther strengthen its contribution across the region

The scheme suppor ts communities in:

Ballydesmond, R athcoole, Boherbue, Ballydaly, K ilcorney, Dromtariffe, Lyre, Newmarket, K iskeam, K nock nagree, Cullen and Banteer

I n addition to these areas, CE par ticipants contr ibute to a number of established communit y enter pr ises including: M eals on Wheels, Communit y Laundr y, Fur niture R e vamp, Duhallow Communit y Food Ser vices and Discover Duhallow

Ne w areas of suppor t include: The Glen Theatre, Duhallow Walks Development and Circular Cups I nitiative

These placements fur ther diversify the wor k exper ience available to par ticipants, par ticularly in community tourism, environmental initiatives and sustainable prac tices The continued expansion of placement oppor tunities ensures the scheme remains responsive to both community needs and par ticipant interests

The contribution of CE par ticipants across these ser vices is significant and continues to play a vital role in sustaining local community infrastructure

Purpose and Par ticipant Development

The core objective of the Community Employment Scheme is to suppor t individuals who are long-term unemployed in re - entering the workforce

Par ticipants may remain on the scheme for up to three years, subject to meeting the requirements for progression, during which time they :

• Gain structured work experience

Under take accredited training

• Par ticipate in personal and professional development

Work through an I ndividual Learner Plan

The CE Super visor and Assistant Super visor play a central role in mentoring and guiding par ticipants, ensuring they build competencies, confidence, and practical experience The role also involves maintaining strong administrative oversight and effec tive management of financial and material resources

To be eligible for the CE Scheme, applicants must register with their local I ntreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch O ffice and must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for a minimum of 12 months prior to application

Training and Upsk illing Oppor tunities

A distinguishing feature of the CE S cheme is the strong emphasis placed on accredited training

The D epar tment of S ocial Protec tion funds a range of cer tified programmes, with qualifications awarded through recognised bodies such as QQI, SOLAS and City & Guilds

Training is viewed not only as a pathway to employment but also as a means of building confidence, self- esteem and personal growth Par ticipants are actively encouraged to under take specific sk ills training aligned with their career goals

Training Under taken This Year

O ver the past year, par ticipants engaged in a wide var iet y of cer tified training programmes, some of which included: M anual Handling, Chainsaw Crosscutting & M aintenance, PHECC First Aid R esponse FAR Training, Graphic Design Diploma, Upholster y, Adult Education, Microsoft 365 and First Aid Training for Coillte

All courses under tak en were accredited through SOLAS, QQI or Cit y & Guilds, ensur ing par ticipants receive recognised and transferable qualifications

Testimonial

“ While on the CE S cheme, I have learnt many new skills and have advanced my work skills though the laundr y. It makes you feel like you are par t of things and boosts your confidence.”

Youth and Education

The IRD Duhallow Youth and Education Wor k Group is the umbrella struc ture for all that we do in relation to youth and their families in Duhallow, promoting social, inclusive, personal, and education development of young people Community youth and spor ts groups play a vital role in rural Duhallow by suppor ting young people’s social development, wellbeing, and sense of belonging while providing positive activities and oppor tunities for engagement within their community I t is imperative volunteers are suppor ted to continue this great work

Future Planning with Apprenticeships

Through SICAP, an Apprenticeship Assessment Workshop was delivered which provided par ticipants with comprehensive insight into the selec tion tests and inter vie w procedures commonly used in national apprenticeship competitions, including those organised by respec ted employers such as ESB and Aer Lingus Through a combination of interac tive sessions, and mock assessments, attendees were guided through each stage of the application process This is from aptitude and psychometr ic testing to struc tured inter vie ws and presentation techniques The training emphasised the development of transferable sk ills that are valuable not only for apprenticeships but for any future employment oppor tunities The thir t y-six students par ticipating from three secondar y schools and some par ticipants from our Wor kAbilit y programme, strengthened their communication and interpersonal sk ills, repor ting after wards, more confidence in professional self-presentation I n addition to the in-person component, each par ticipant was granted access to an exclusive online learning platform for 12 months, designed to suppor t ongoing preparation and self- direc ted learning This digital resource allows users to revisit course mater ials, prac tice sample tests, and refine their inter view strategies at their own pace

Children and Family Empowerment: Also through SICAP a workshop 'Ex traordinar y Me: Turns I nside Out' was facilitated by Grace Dorgan, Play Therapist This wor kshop brought parents and children together in an

interac tive environment focused on emotional wellbeing and selfexpression The wor kshop explored self-awareness, empathy, and resilience through creative and play-based ac tivities, encouraging children to better understand and communicate their emotions Parents par ticipated alongside their children, engaging in reflective exercises that strengthened emotional connection and positive communication within the family The workshop created a safe and suppor tive space for shared learning, helping to build stronger family relationships

Due to its success a second programme was delivered ‘Ex traordinar y Me’ specifically for children struggling with anxiet y and over whelming emotions The workshop focused on their strengths and building on their self-wor th, while recognising the emotions and connec tion bet ween feelings and actions

Literac y Advancement Initiative

Running for over two decades, IRD Duhallow provides invaluable literac y classes and Touch Type Read Spell ( T TRS) sessions week ly, throughout the school year, for children that require additional suppor t with literac y I t is led by teachers with a low student-to -teacher ratio, focusing on enhancing students' reading, writing, and spelling sk ills through a variety of ac tivities The T TRS computer programme employs modules, repetition, and dictation exercises to boost reading, listening, and typing proficienc y while reinforcing overall lear ning This programme helps children develop essential computer sk ills, including proper mouse usage and cor rec t finger placement for t yping I n conjunc tion with IRD Duhallow Newmar k et Af terschools, IRD Duhallow also offers suppor ts throughout the summer running t wo weeks of summer camps which have a special focus on literac y ac tivities through science experiments

Youth and Education

and computer sk ills To celebrate the dedication and progress of par ticipants at the end of the school year, IRD Duhallow hosts an annual Recognition of Learning Evening This year the event recognised twentyfour children who completed the 2025-2026 Literac y Advancement and T TRS for Children programmes Families, teachers, and tutors gathered to celebrate each child’s achievements The celebration, attended by tutors K atie H ick e y, Sarah J ones, Ciara Har nett and staff Nollaig M ur phy, and M elissa Holland, was a hear t-war ming reminder of the impor tance of empower ing young lear ners and a testament to the sustained commitment of both the children and their educators

Public Speaking

The James O’Keeffe Institute in Newmarket was the venue for a wonder ful occasion in O c tober 2025, when Duhallow national school students gathered to deliver speeches for the annual IRD Duhallow public speak ing event Funded through the SICAP programme and suppor ted by the IRD Duhallow Youth and Education Wor k ing Group, the day mar k ed the culmination of wor kshops focused on de veloping public speak ing sk ills and confidence

Under the exper t guidance of Dr Siobhán Fitzgerald, creator of the Let ’ s Stand Programme, a range of engaging speeches were eloquently delivered Let ’ s Stand is designed for primar y school children, break ing public speak ing into an accessible, enjoyable for mat Dr Fitzgerald, a teacher, author, podcaster, Dragons’ Den contestant and TEDx speak er,

encouraged the students, saying: “If you can speak well, you can influence and change lives, your own and others ” Adult e valuator and accomplished speaker Amanda O’Sullivan provided positive feedback on behalf of the IRD Duhallow Board She praised the children’s speech content and offered guidance on techniques, highlighting the impor tance of their achievement The students demonstrated sk ills such as intonation, struc ture, e ye contac t, voice projec tion and expressive deliver y IRD Duhallow D e velopment O fficer Nollaig M ur phy thank ed parents, guardians and teachers for their suppor t and commended the children’s enthusiastic par ticipation Each child received a trophy and cer tificate to mar k their achie vement The e vent concluded with a power ful group recital of the poem I Have a Voice, leaving a strong impression of the bright future ahead for these young speakers

Understanding ADHD

Though the Duhallow Child & Family Suppor t Net wor k we wor k ed in collaboration with Tusla to facilitate an infor mation e vent on Understanding ADHD which we co funded under the Parent Peer Suppor t Fund The e vent helped parents in the region to understand more about themselves and their children Annamar ie Bour k e Chairperson of IRD Duhallow opened the event spoke on the impor tance of awareness and education around neurodivergence M ar tin Finn, Ser vice Development M anager from ADHD I reland Cor k was the main speak er for the e vent along with Stephanie Heffer nan Tusla who coordinated it Mar tin spoke candidly about his lived experience of having ADHD and dispelled myths commonly associated with it highlighting the superpower within ADHD that can contribute to a fulfilling career and life

Employment and Training

Community Education and Lifelong Learning

Community Education and lifelong learning play a vital role in suppor ting individuals to build confidence, develop new sk ills, and progress along educational, social, and personal development pathways IRD Duhallow places a strong emphasis on providing accessible, lear ner-led oppor tunities that respond to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalised groups within the community By creating suppor tive and inclusive lear ning environments, these programmes encourage par ticipation from individuals of all ages and back grounds, helping to reduce isolation and promote equality of oppor tunity

O ver the past year, a wide range of community-based learning initiatives were delivered across the Duhallow region These included se wing classes, Far ming IT, I nter mediate Computers, and ar t classes, each designed to meet the var ying interests and needs of par ticipants The sewing and ar t classes provided creative outlets that encouraged selfexpression, confidence building, and social interac tion, while also suppor ting wellbeing and community engagement The Farming IT and Intermediate Computer courses focused on improving digital literacy and prac tical technology sk ills, enabling par ticipants to become more confident in using online ser vices, communication tools, and digital resources in both their personal and professional lives

These initiatives not only suppor ted lifelong learning and digital inclusion but also fostered stronger community connections by bringing people together in shared learning experiences Par ticipants had oppor tunities to build friendships, exchange k nowledge, and suppor t one another in a welcoming and encouraging environment M any lear ners repor ted increased confidence, greater independence, and a renewed interest in fur ther education and training oppor tunities as a result of tak ing par t in these programmes

Through continued investment in Communit y Education and lifelong learning, IRD Duhallow remains committed to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and ensur ing that accessible lear ning

oppor tunities are available throughout the region

Job Centre:

IRD Duhallow ’ s Job Centre continued to provide dedicated one -to - one suppor t to individuals seek ing to improve their employment oppor tunities and progress towards sustainable employment Through confidential meetings with our Development O fficers, clients received tailored guidance in areas such as C V preparation, cover letters, inter view sk ills, career planning, and identifying suitable education, training, and upsk illing oppor tunities

The ser vice remains accessible to individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, or facing barriers to entering the workforce, including young people, lone parents, migrants, and those from disadvantaged back grounds Alongside personalised suppor t, the J ob Centre also provides valuable insights into the local labour market and assists clients in connecting with potential employers and employment oppor tunities

B y offering prac tical guidance, encouragement, and ongoing suppor t, the Job Centre continues to help individuals build confidence, develop ne w sk ills, and tak e positive steps towards achie ving long-ter m employment and career progression

Labour Market Ac tivation:

Training and upsk illing remained a key focus for IRD Duhallow throughout the year, with a strong emphasis placed on providing accessible learning oppor tunities for people across the rural community Through the SICAP programme, par ticipants were suppor ted to gain practical qualifications and experience through courses such as Safe Pass, Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (IPAF), AT V Quad Bike Training, Abrasive Wheels, and a range of other cer tified programmes designed to meet local employment needs

Employment and Training

Alongside community training initiatives, investment was also made in staff development, with four IRD Duhallow staff members successfully completing M anual Handling I nstruc tor Training dur ing 2025 This achievement strengthens the organisation’s internal capacity while also suppor ting the future deliver y of training within the region

The continued demand for these programmes highlights the impor tance of flexible and locally delivered training oppor tunities By suppor ting individuals to gain recognised qualifications and develop practical work place sk ills, IRD Duhallow continues to promote confidence, progression, and greater access to employment oppor tunities throughout the Duhallow area

REACH Funding 2026

I n 2026, IRD Duhallow was granted REACH Funding under the Communit y Education programme, suppor ting the organisation’s continued commitment to lifelong learning, social inclusion, and communit y de velopment across the Duhallow region This funding will help expand access to educational oppor tunities, sk ills development initiatives, and lear ner suppor ts for individuals and communities who may face bar r iers to par ticipation in education and training

Training booklet

IRD Duhallow ’ s training book let is an excellent and infor mative publication that effec tively promotes the wide range of programmes, wor kshops, and training oppor tunities available within the local communit y The book let is professionally presented and clear ly organised into three main sec tions Programmes for Youth / Children / Parents, Self Improvement Courses, and Industr y Related Programmes mak ing it easy for readers to find courses suited to their interests and needs

I t is produced t wice year ly in Spr ing / Summer and Autumn / Winter editions, ensur ing the communit y stays updated on ne w courses, e vents, and seasonal oppor tunities throughout the year Approximately 4,000 copies are pr inted and distr ibuted locally each edition, helping to ensure wide accessibility across the region I n addition, the book let is available on our website, which ser ves as a one -stop shop for all announcements, events, and up -to - date information about IRD Duhallow activities and ser vices

Bursaries

The SICAP programme continues to make a positive impact across Duhallow, suppor ting individuals through the provision of small grants under the Adult and S econd Chance measure These suppor ts have helped people build additional sk ills, de velop confidence, and experience new educational oppor tunities Under this initiative, IRD Duhallow can accept applications for bursar ies intended to alleviate the financial burden associated with returning to education Bursaries have suppor ted individuals with costs such as course fees, mak ing training more accessible for those who may other wise be unable to pursue fur ther learning Grants are especially designed to suppor t individuals who are unemployed, on low incomes, or mak ing the significant decision to return to education after a period away I n 2025, through the SICAP Adult and Second Chance Education suppor ts, three individuals were awarded bursar ies This funding enabled them to upsk ill in k ey areas, including nursing and specialised first aid training

Rural Social Scheme

The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is an impor tant initiative suppor ting lowincome far mers and rural communities across I reland The scheme provides par ticipants with a supplementar y income while also delivering valuable ser vices that benefit local communities and organisations RSS enables people to remain ac tive within their own communities while balancing their farming commitments and maintaining their connection to rural life

Under the scheme, par ticipants work 19 5 hours per week on communitybased projects and activities The hours are structured around a farmerfriendly schedule, ensuring that individuals can continue to manage their farming activities alongside their RSS placement In addition to the week ly payment, par ticipants also receive a Class A PRSI contribution, helping to protec t future social insurance entitlements such as pensions and benefits The scheme also offers paid holidays, training oppor tunities and valuable wor k exper ience, mak ing it an attrac tive option for people seek ing additional income, social engagement, and sk ills development

The RSS plays a vital role in rural I reland, not only suppor ting par ticipants financially but also helping community groups, spor ting organisations, environmental projec ts, heritage centres and social care initiatives that rely heavily on the work carried out by RSS par ticipants Across the IRD Duhallow region, RSS par ticipants contribute significantly to maintaining communit y facilities, suppor ting older people, enhancing villages and public spaces, and protecting local amenities

Improvements to the Rural Social Scheme in 2026

I n Januar y 2026, the M inister for S ocial Protec tion, Dara Callear y, announced a number of significant improvements to the Rural S ocial Scheme ar ising from Budget 2026 These changes were introduced to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the RSS and to ensure that the scheme continues to suppor t both par ticipants and rural communities into the future

One of the most significant developments was the introduction of the Rural D weller Pilot S cheme, which became operational from Januar y 2026 This pilot scheme includes 250 ringfenced placements nationwide for people aged 50 years and over who are living in rural areas and receiving a qualifying week ly social welfare payment The initiative aims to suppor t older people in rural communities who may not have a direct farming background but who still wish to contribute to their local area while receiving additional income suppor t

IRD Duhallow was allocated seven places under this pilot initiative The scheme has generated strong local interest and provides another pathway for rural residents to become involved in community-focused work Par ticipants on the Rural D weller Pilot can work across a variety of placements while remaining ac tive and connec ted within their local communities

The Rural D weller Pilot Scheme was one of the k ey recommendations arising from the national Review of the Rural Social Scheme, published in July 2024 IRD Duhallow CEO Maura Walsh was a member of the review group that produced the repor t The re vie w outlined 19 recommendations aimed at strengthening the sustainabilit y of the scheme while ensuring that RSS continues to provide income suppor t, social inclusion and essential community ser vices in rural I reland

Expanded Eligibility under RSS

Fur ther recommendations from the review were also introduced in 2026, significantly broadening eligibility for the scheme One impor tant change was the introduc tion of the RSS “D efined Connec tion” provision This allows people who are ac tively involved in far ming, but who may not hold the herd number themselves, to access the scheme

A defined connection applies where an individual is actively farming and is either a family member of the herd number holder or a person who is substantially involved in the farming activity Family members can include spouses, civil par tners, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, including in-laws This change recognises the realit y of moder n family far ming, where many people contribute significantly to farming enterprises without necessarily being named on the herd number

I n addition, the revised rules now allow couples who are jointly engaged in farming or fishing to both access the RSS using the same herd number Pre viously, only one individual link ed to the herd number could par ticipate in the scheme This was a major barrier for many rural families

Rural Social Scheme

The updated ar rangement now allows spouses, civil par tners or cohabitants aged 25 years or older, who are actively involved in farming or fishing and receiving a qualifying social welfare payment, to both par ticipate

Eligibilit y also ex tends to the spouse, civil par tner or cohabitant of a cur rent RSS par ticipant where the y are in receipt of a qualified adult allowance These changes are expec ted to mak e the scheme far more accessible and sustainable for farming families across rural I reland

Oppor tunities through IRD Duhallow RSS IRD Duhallow offers a wide range of RSS wor k placements across the region The organisation works closely with par ticipants to match them with placements that suit their interests, sk ills and exper ience RSS provides an excellent oppor tunity for people who may wish to return to employment, gain new sk ills, or become more socially connected within their communities

Par ticipants have access to a var iet y of meaning ful and re warding placements including maintaining and enhancing waymarked walk ing trails, bog roads and recreational amenities; energy conser vation and environmental projects; village enhancement initiatives; community care suppor ts; and caretak ing roles within community and spor ting facilities Additional oppor tunities include wor k within communit y gardens, cultural and her itage centres, communit y administration and cler ical roles, and a number of IRD Duhallow social enterprise initiatives such as the Duhallow Communit y Laundr y, Duhallow Fur niture R e vamp and Duhallow Community Food Ser vices These placements provide valuable prac tical exper ience while suppor ting ser vices that are vital to local communities

The RSS team in IRD Duhallow suppor ts par ticipants throughout the application process and dur ing their placement The team provides guidance, encouragement and assistance to help individuals make the

most of the oppor tunities available through the scheme

Retirement Acknowledgement

I n M arch 2026, IRD Duhallow said fare well to long-ser ving RSS par ticipant William Walsh, who retired after many years of dedicated ser vice William joined the scheme in 2011 and made a significant contribution to the maintenance and development of walking routes and recreational trails throughout the Duhallow region H is wor k helped enhance local amenities for both residents and visitors alike IRD Duhallow would like to sincerely thank Willie for his dedication and commitment over the years and wish him ever y happiness and good health in his retirement

IRD Duhallow ’ s Tús Communit y Wor k Placement I nitiative is a labour mark et ac tivation scheme providing 12-month, 19 5-hour week ly par ttime placements for long-term unemployed individuals I t is managed by IRD Duhallow on behalf of the Depar tment of Social Protection The schemes play a vital role in suppor ting individuals who are long-ter m unemployed whilst strengthening communit y ser vices across the Duhallow region A total of 70 par ticipants have been actively engaged across a diverse range of placements dur ing 2025/2026, including communit y centres, spor ts organisations, environmental projec ts, and care ser vices The var iet y of placement oppor tunities ensures that par ticipants can access roles suited to their interests and abilities, while also addressing genuine community needs IRD Duhallow has continued to prioritise high standards of programme management and par ticipant suppor t

To qualify for Tús, a person must have been continuously unemployed for at least 12 months and ‘signing’ on a fulltime basis, and

• I n receipt of a Jobseekers payment for DSP for at least 12 months, and

• Currently in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance

You must also meet one of the following criteria:

Be currently receiving Jobseeker ’ s Allowance ( JA) Be 18 or over, fully unemployed and in receipt of Disability Allowance (there is no qualifying period, applications are by self-referral only)

• Be 18 or over, with refugee status and getting Jobseeker ’ s Allowance payment (no qualifying period applies)

Strengthening Skills, Confidence, and Career Readiness

A k e y focus throughout this per iod has been enhancing the employabilit y of par ticipants Each individual receives an induc tion and a tailored de velopment plan, identifying existing sk ills and areas for growth R egular one -to - one meetings with super visors have been instrumental in track ing progress and addressing any bar r iers to par ticipation Wor k exper ience can be par ticular ly beneficial for individuals who have been out of wor k for an ex tended period, as it helps them develop and enhance their sk ills, build their confidence, and reacquaint themselves with a structured work environment Par ticipants have repor ted improved routine and a rene wed sense of pur pose as a result of their involvement in the programme

Par ticipants are suppor ted in accessing both accredited and nonaccredited training oppor tunities that can be directly applied to a variety of jobs Courses offered include technical sk ills related to the specific work

being done, as well as transferable sk ills such as communication, teamwor k , time management, and problem-solving These include courses in manual handling, first aid, digital literac y, for k lif t, abrasive wheels, quad bike training, safe pass cer tification and customer ser vice sk ills Where possible, training is aligned with par ticipants’ career goals, thereby increasing their chances of secur ing employment upon completion of the programme

As par ticipants approach the end of their placement, IRD Duhallow provides guidance on nex t steps, including job search suppor t, C V preparation, and inter view sk ills Links with local employers and training providers have been strengthened to facilitate smoother transitions into employment or fur ther education While outcomes var y, there have been several positive examples of par ticipants moving into paid employment or enrolling in fur ther training programmes

Building Stronger Communities Through Tús Par ticipation

Communit y impac t continues to be a defining strength of the programme TÚS par ticipants have contr ibuted thousands of hours of ser vice across the Duhallow region, suppor ting the maintenance and de velopment of vital community infrastructure This has included the upk eep of walk ing trails, enhancement of recreational spaces, assistance in communit y childcare settings, and suppor t for older persons living independently M any host organisations have expressed their appreciation for the reliabilit y and dedication of

par ticipants, noting that their contr ibutions have enabled ser vices to continue that might other wise have been reduced or discontinued I n addition to prac tical contr ibutions, the programme has fostered stronger communit y connec tions

Par ticipants of ten become more engaged in their local communities and de velop a deeper sense of belonging This social aspec t is par ticular ly impor tant in rural Duhallow, where isolation can be a significant issue B y par ticipating in Tús, individuals are not only gaining work experience but also rebuilding social net wor ks and confidence in interacting within their own communities

Addressing Barriers to Par ticipation

Challenges during this period have included transpor tation barriers for some par ticipants, par ticularly those in more remote areas Effor ts have been made to address these issues through careful placement matching and, where possible, also encouraging infor mal solutions such as carpooling where feasible Childcare commitments have also presented a notable challenge for some par ticipants, par ticular ly for those who cannot secure childcare places locally The struc tured nature of TÚS placements, with set work ing hours, can be difficult to balance alongside school schedules, unexpec ted closures, or car ing responsibilities for younger children While some have been able to rely on informal suppor t net wor ks, such as family members, this is not always consistent or available I n response, IRD Duhallow has sought to accommodate par ticipants where possible through flexible star t times helping to reduce pressure and suppor t continued par ticipation in the programme

Testimonial

‘I star ted the Tús scheme in November last year and it has been a par ticularly enjoyable experience I have been in a variety of jobs and met a lot of different people The staff are always helpful, and I would recommend it to people I t is a fantastic way to get back out there, and I have done se veral training courses which are ver y helpful

Duhallow Circular Economy Hub: Revamp and Relove Paint

Since 2016, IRD Duhallow, with the vital suppor t of the Communit y S er vices Programme, has operated the Duhallow Fur niture RE VAMP project This social enterprise provides high-quality second-hand furniture and restoration ser vices, ensur ing that sustainable living remains accessible to ever yone par ticularly social welfare recipients, low-income households, carers and students

Upskilling & Employment: Investing in People

At RE VAMP, the best thing to do with a sk ill is to pass it on We provide an inclusive environment for par ticipants of work activation schemes, including Tús, Communit y Employment (CE), and Rural Social Schemes (RSS)

Peer-to -Peer M entorship:

REVAMP is more than a furniture shop; it is a community- driven initiative that promotes the circular economy while empower ing individuals through sk ill development I ts success in the 2025–2026 period highlights its role as an essential par t of the region’s social and environmental fabric

In addition, in collaboration with Cork County Council and the Paint Reuse Net wor k I reland, the R elove Paint projec t has been in operation in Revamp since 2021 The project sees unused paints being diver ted from local civic amenity sites to be remixed and sold in our Revamp shop in Newmarket

Comprehensive Furniture Ser vices

We have expanded our offer ings to meet the diverse needs of our community, helping families preser ve sentimental heirlooms and reduce household waste:

Full Re -upholster y: From dining chairs to favourite armchairs, giving a new lease of life to tired fabrics

Wood Restoration & Refinishing: Careful repairs for ever ything from modern furniture to family heirlooms

Structural Couch Repairs: A high-value ser vice involving spring fixing and cushion re -filling to keep bulk y goods in use for years to come

Staff and senior par ticipants share their exper tise in upholster y, woodwor k , fur niture repair and customer ser vice, foster ing a culture of confidence and capability

Career Advancement: I n the 2025–2026 per iod, three RE VAMP par ticipants were granted ex tended placements on the CE S cheme to fur ther their education and sk illsets

Cer tification oppor tunities: Through our par tnership with the Skillnet programme, par ticipants access cer tified training to formalise their learnings

The Voice of Our Community

“I just love my new hallway stand from IRD Revamp I have had so many compliments about it and it ’ s my favourite piece of furniture in my house

Thank you to the team!” Aileen

Looking For ward

Duhallow Furniture REVAMP continues to ser ve as a model for how a local, community-based initiative can make a tangible difference With strong foundations and continued suppor t, we look for ward to another year of meaningful ser vice to the Duhallow region

IRD Duhallow Circular Cups

Ireland’s First Reusable Cup Social Enterprise

The Circular Cups for Community Events is a new initiative coordinated by IRD Duhallow, designed to transition festivals and communit y gather ings away from single -use plastics toward a sustainable circular economy model, a first of its k ind in I reland

I n 2021, I reland generated over 1 2 million tonnes of pack aging waste, with an estimated 200 million single -use plastic cups consumed annually The Circular Cups for community events provide specially designed and branded reusable coffee cups, pints and half-pints that can be washed up to 300 times, promoting circularity and helping to reduce single -use plastic waste

I n collaboration with the Southern Region Waste Management Planning O ffice and with grant-aid from the Anti-Dumping I nitiative, the project was launched in November 2025, by M r Alan Dillon TD, M inister of State for Small Business & R etail and Circular Economy What began as a localised pilot has now been rolled out across the entire Southern Region, encompassing Carlow, Clare, Cork City & County, Kerr y, Kilkenny, Limerick , Tipperar y, Water ford and Wexford This expansion is made possible through dedicated par tnerships with the ten local authorities, ensuring that sustainability is accessible to ever y parish and town in the Southern region

Ser vice over view

The ser vice manages a comprehensive inventor y of reusable cups, designed specifically for ease of access and logistical efficienc y : Book ing & Logistics: Organisers place orders via a dedicated online por tal IRD Duhallow manages the logistics, delivering sanitised stock in specialised crates directly to event venues

• On-Site Usage: The ser vice allows organizers to eliminate waste without requiring their own washing and/or storage facilities

• Cleaning: After the events, soiled cups are collected and transpor ted to our specialised washing facility in Newmarket, Co Cork

• Processing: Here, the ser vice under takes rigorous cleaning, high-heat dr ying, quality control inspections, and hygienic storage to ensure all stock meets health and safety standards for redistribution

A vision for behavioural change

The IRD Duhallow Circular Cups project is more than just a rental ser vice; it is a vehicle for cultural change By integrating these cups into the fabric of I r ish social life from GAA tour naments to ar ts festivals we are educating the public on the tangible benefits of the circular economy

The initiative has seen strong initial uptak e, with over 37,000 cups having been hired so far since the launch of our projec t, proving that I r ish communities are ready to embrace a more sustainable way of gathering

As we look toward the future, we remain committed to expanding our reach, reducing plastic pollution, and ensur ing that our communit y legac y is one of environmental stewardship rather than waste

Duhallow Community Laundr y

Duhallow Community Laundr y is one of IRD Duhallow ’ s established social enterprises that was established in response to issues raised by both the IRD Duhallow Carers Network and our SAOI Network both highlighting the need for a ser vice for our elderly, low-income households and carers in the Duhallow region

This ser vice helps to lessen the pressure on people and guarantees a fresh supply of clean linen, towels and clothes regardless of the weather This ser vice is pr imar ily aimed at the elder ly, lone parents, carers, Family I ncome Supplement, unemployed, disability, farm assist and Tús/RSS/CE scheme workers

Community Ser vices Programme

The Community Ser vices Programme (CSP) is administered by Pobal on behalf of the D epar tment of Rural and Communit y D evelopment and the Gaeltacht The CSP suppor ts communit y-based organisations such as Duhallow Community Laundr y to deliver local social, economic and environmental ser vices through a social enterprise model, with a focus on communities where ser vices are limited due to geographic or social isolation, or where demand deficits exist The Programme aims to tack le disadvantage by providing a co -funding contr ibution towards direc t salar y cost which increased in Januar y 2026, we welcomed this news that was announced by M inister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Callear y TD, and M inister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerr y Buttimer TD

AT+ programme

Duhallow Community Laundr y is now an alumnus of the AT+ programme being one of a number of communit y ser vices programmes who par ticipated in the inaugural year which concluded earlier this year This programme helps organisations to de velop their enter pr ise and are suppor ted to adapt and improve what they do so they can stay relevant, sustainable and generate enough income to suppor t their social goals This programme is co -funded by the G over nment of I reland and the

European Union under the Employment, I nclusion, Sk ills, and Training Programme (EIST ), I reland ’ s ESF+ programme for 2021-2027, which is managed by the Depar tment of Fur ther and H igher Education, Research, I nnovation and Science

We would lik e to express our gratitude to R óisín Liston the AT+ Coordinator who was always on hand to assist and guide us and to Lorraine Cur tin who was our assigned Business Coach who through the process was ver y suppor tive and informative

Social Economy and staffing

IRD Duhallow ’ Social Economy Work ing Group continues to suppor t the wor k of this ser vice under the ste wardship of its Chair person M ar y Wallace

The team in the laundr y is led by Anita Castle who ably super vises a team which consists of par ticipants from the schemes operated by IRD Duhallow including Tús, Rural S ocial S cheme and the Communit y Employment S cheme The laundr y provides a great wor k placement oppor tunit y for any person seek ing to retur n to the jobs mar k et developing sk ills such as customer care, administration and being par t of a team who are committed to delivering a high- quality ser vice

“I

have been a ver y satisfied customer of IRD Duhallow

’s Communit y Laundr y S er vice for many years

It’s a great ser vice and I cannot speak too highly of the reliable, friendly and professional ser vice provided by their staff ”

War mer Homes Initiative

Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme (BEWHS)

Since its establishment in 2006, the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme (BE WHS), delivered by IRD Duhallow, has insulated more than 5,190 homes across Cork City and County, South Limerick , and County Kerr y The scheme continues to play a significant role in improving energy efficienc y, reducing fuel pover ty, and enhancing comfor t for households throughout the region

Wor ks completed by IRD Duhallow installation teams include attic insulation, cavity wall insulation, roof and wall ventilation The scheme is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of I reland (SEAI) and Pobal through the Community Ser vices Programme (CSP)

Better Energy Homes (BEH)

Dur ing 2025, IRD Duhallow completed insulation works on 51 homes under the Better Energy Homes (BEH) Scheme

I n Januar y 2026, SEAI announced increased grant suppor ts for attic and cavity wall insulation wor ks Under the revised grant structure, suppor ts for detached houses increased from €3,200 to €3,800, alongside an additional €50 contr ibution towards a Building Energy R ating (BER) assessment

Fur ther enhancements were introduced in March 2026 for households in receipt of specified social protection payments Under this enhanced suppor t scheme, grants are now available up to:

• €4,800 for detached houses

• €3,600 for semi- detached houses

• €2,900 for mid-terrace houses

I n addition, an increased BER grant of €280 is available for qualifying applicants

Energy Audits and Solar PV

Through collaboration with IRD Duhallow and SE Systems, free energy audits are available to businesses and communit y centres with annual energy expenditure exceeding €10,000 These audits identify prac tical energy-saving oppor tunities aimed at reducing operational costs and improving sustainability

IRD Duhallow also offers free household sur veys to assess suitability for Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV ) installations SEAI grants of up to €1,800 are cur rently available to suppor t S olar P V installations for eligible householders

Continuous Training and Quality Assurance

Continuous professional de velopment and qualit y assurance remain central to the deliver y of IRD Duhallow ’ s energy ser vices Staff training programmes ensure compliance with industr y standards and best

practice across all operational areas

Training under taken during the year included:

• Manual Handling

• Work ing at Heights

• Abrasive Wheel Training

• Mobile Tower Scaffold Training

• I nstaller I nsulation Training

• Safe Pass Cer tification

The cavity wall insulation team also completed specialist sur veying and installation training with Envirobead I nsulation and holds cer tification from the National Standards Authority of I reland (NSAI) for the deliver y of cavity wall insulation works

Qualit y assurance across all SEAI-funded schemes continues to be overseen by KSN

Local Employment and Community Impac t

The Warmer Homes Scheme continues to provide valuable local employment oppor tunities through the Community S er vices Programme (CSP) Funding currently suppor ts the employment of a coordinator and five Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions across administration, attic and cavit y wall insulation teams, ventilation ser vices, sur veying and quality control

I n 2026, Pobal increased funding suppor t for CSP-suppor ted organisations As par t of this increase, IRD Duhallow received an additional €1,160 per FTE, bringing the annual suppor t rate to €26,090 per FTE

The scheme is fur ther strengthened through the suppor t of labour activation initiatives including the Rural Social Scheme (RSS), Community Employment (CE), and Tús programmes Par ticipants from these schemes contr ibute significantly to the deliver y of insulation wor ks across the region

Achieve Together+ S ocial Innovation Coaching and Mentoring Programme (AT+)

I n 2025, Pobal introduced the Achieve Together+ (AT+) Social I nnovation Coaching and M entoring Programme to suppor t Communit y Ser vices Programme -funded organisations in enhancing per for mance, sustainability, and long-term impact

IRD Duhallow ’ s Communit y Laundr y, R e vamp, and War mer Homes Scheme ser vices par ticipated in the programme, engaging with exper t mentors and coaches to identify oppor tunities for innovation, growth, and ser vice de velopment Par ticipation in the programme was successfully completed in 2026

Remembering our Colleague

We were deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our colleague Noel Heffer nan, earlier this year Noel worked across various ser vices within IRD Duhallow for more than 10 years H is dedication, commitment, and k indness left a lasting impact on all who had the pleasure of work ing alongside him Noel is greatly missed by colleagues and fr iends alik e We ex tend our sincere sympathies to his family, friends, and all who k new him

Duhallow Community Food Ser vices (DCFS)

Manager

Linda O’Connor, Manager of Duhallow Community Food Ser vices (DCFS), continues to guide the organisation through a per iod of sustained growth, development, and ser vice enhancement Appointed in 2021, she has been central to strengthening operational standards and ensuring the organisation remains responsive to the e volving needs of the communit y She holds qualifications in Culinar y Ar ts, Professional Cook er y, and Super visor y Management, and brings almost 20 years of professional experience across the public, private, and healthcare catering sectors

About Us

Duhallow Community Food Ser vices (DCFS) was established in 1994 in Boherbue with just eight Meals on Wheels customers O ver the past 32 years, the organisation has developed into a nationally recognised, awardwinning social enterprise delivering a wide range of essential community food ser vices across the Duhallow region, employing over 70 staff in Newmarket A major milestone in its development was the relocation in 2014 to a pur pose -built facilit y at the James O ’K eeffe I nstitute in Ne wmar k et, which enabled significant expansion in ser vice capacit y, operational efficienc y, and communit y reach Today, DCFS delivers in excess of 800,000 meals annually across all ser vices, including Meals on Wheels, school meals, childcare cater ing, communit y dining, bak er y production, and outside catering ser vices The organisation has received significant national recognition for its wor k , including being named Winner of the Communit y Categor y at the National S ocial Enter pr ise Awards 2025, a Finalist in the National Lotter y Good Causes Awards 2025, and a Winner of the Community Food Award from the I rish Food Writers’

Guild These accolades reflec t the organisation’s commitment to excellence in social enterprise, food quality, and community impact Our core strength is a commitment to suppor ting our local economy Where ver possible, local sourcing is pr ior itised, wor k ing closely with farmers, producers, butchers, and suppliers This ensures the use of fresh, high- quality ingredients while directly suppor ting local businesses and sustaining employment within the region I ncome generated through ser vices is consistently reinvested back into the communit y, ensur ing long-term sustainability and continued community benefit This model ensures that DCFS not only delivers essential food ser vices but also makes a strong and measurable contr ibution to the social and economic wellbeing of the Duhallow region

M eals on Wheels remains the cornerstone ser vice of DCFS and continues to provide an essential lifeline to older and vulnerable individuals across the region Dur ing 2025, over 41,000 freshly prepared meals were delivered to elder ly and vulnerable members of the communit y, suppor ting independent living and helping to reduce social isolation, par ticular ly in rural and isolated areas

Be yond nutr ition, this ser vice provides daily human contac t, reassurance, and connec tion, which is especially impor tant for individuals living alone I t plays a vital role in suppor ting wellbeing and enabling people to remain in their own homes for longer All meals are freshly prepared on-site daily by a team of exper ienced and highly sk illed chefs, ensuring consistently high standards of quality, taste, and nutrition Nutritional value is central to menu planning, with carefully balanced meals designed to suppor t health and wellbeing across all age groups Sauces and dishes are enr iched with hidden vegetables, suppor ting improved nutr ition for younger and more selec tive eaters while maintaining familiar flavours and appeal This approach ensures that all meals are both nutr itious and enjoyable, encouraging healthy eating habits and suppor ting overall wellbeing

Duhallow Community Food Ser vices (DCFS)

Other Ser vices

I n addition to Meals on Wheels, DCFS delivers a wide range of food and catering ser vices that suppor t education, childcare, and community life across the region Through the Hot School Meals Programme, 30 primar y schools in the local area now receive freshly prepared hot meals delivered daily This ser vice plays a k e y role in suppor ting children’s growth, development, concentration, and overall wellbeing by ensuring access to a nutritious and balanced meal each school day Catering ser vices are also provided to secondar y schools, childcare facilities, and community organisations, ensur ing consistent access to high- qualit y, nutr itionally balanced meals across all age groups The Communit y R estaurant in Newmarket continues to ser ve as an impor tant social hub, providing a welcoming environment that suppor ts social interaction and community engagement The in-house baker y and outside catering ser vices fur ther enhance ser vice deliver y and sustainability, suppor ting a wide range of events including family celebrations, funerals, corporate func tions, and community gatherings Across all ser vices, there is a strong and ongoing commitment to suppor ting local producers and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers within the region

Staffing

DCFS continues to be a significant local employer, providing meaningful employment, training, and wor k exper ience oppor tunities within the community Staff are engaged across all areas of operation, including food preparation, bak ing, logistics, deliver y, customer ser vice, and front- ofhouse ser vices Employment and training oppor tunities are suppor ted through key programmes including the Community Ser vices Programme (CSP), Rural S ocial S cheme, Tús, and Communit y Employment (CE) Schemes These initiatives are central to promoting social inclusion, sk ills development, and pathways to employment A strong team culture is maintained throughout the organisation, with a shared commitment to deliver ing freshly prepared, high- qualit y meals using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible The dedication and professionalism of staff

remain fundamental to the organisation’s continued success and reputation

Governance

The organisation is governed by a voluntar y Board of 15 members who provide strategic leadership, oversight, and governance The Board meets regular ly to ensure DCFS operates in a transparent, accountable, and financially responsible manner, while maintaining a strong focus on communit y need and ser vice qualit y E ffec tive gover nance has been central to the organisation’s long-ter m sustainabilit y and growth, suppor ting its de velopment from a small local initiative into a major communit y food enter pr ise The Board continues to ensure that all decisions align with the organisation’s core values of community ser vice, social responsibility, and local economic contribution

As Duhallow Communit y Food S er vices mar ks 32 years in operation during 2026, the organisation reflec ts with pride on its journey from a small rural initiative in Boher bue to a nationally recognised awardwinning social enterprise While the organisation has grown significantly, its core mission remains unchanged: to provide nutritious meals, suppor t independent living, reduce social isolation, and enhance communit y wellbeing across the Duhallow region With the continued dedication of staff, volunteers, board members, programme par ticipants, and community par tners, DCFS remains committed to building on its strong foundations and continuing to ser ve the community into the future

Large Scale Capital Projects 2026

Duhallow Rural Development, Education and Training Centre

The James O Keeffe Complex is home to Local D e velopment Company IRD Duhallow and S ocial Enter pr ise Duhallow Communit y Food S er vices

Over the years, the complex has been de veloped into a busy rural de velopment hub The complex is the biggest employer in Ne wmar k et with 100 employees and 40 scheme par ticipants based here

The James O'K eeffe M emor ial Foundation is cur rently in the process of submitting a planning application to Cor k Count y Council for permission for modifications to our existing Communit y Food S er vices Building, operated by IRD Duhallow Communit y Food S er vices, here in Newmarket

This new facility, the Duhallow Rural Development, Education & Training Centre will allow IRD Duhallow to build upon the hard work completed over the last 35 years and allow us to continue to meet the needs of the wider Duhallow region under our four key strategic development pillars: economic, community, cultural, and environmental

The proposed ex tension will mar k a significant and transfor mative expansion of the existing ser vices provided by IRD Duhallow and will provide an overall master plan for the future de velopment of DCFS to allow for increased food preparation and produc tivit y along with the development of the Duhallow Rural Development, Education & Training Centre, which will be able to facilitate local thematic e vents of an enter pr ise, environment, educational or communit y nature that are relative to the work of the IRD Duhallow and James O'Keeffe Memorial Foundation and will put Newmark et on the map as a regional training location

The t ypes of e vents envisaged to be held in the ne w Duhallow Rural Development, Education & Training Centre are ones which will benefit the entire communit y of the Duhallow region and promote rural development including:

• Training / Workshops

• Seminars /Conferences

• Graduation Ceremonies

• Demonstrations/exhibitions/Sk illnet QQI Major Award lectures

• Awards ie Enterprise Awards/Business Breakfast briefings

• Cultural events ie the Duhallow Bealtaine events during May / I nternational Women’s Day events / Events focused on the integration of migrants and new arrivals

Events ancillar y to the business of Duhallow Community Food Ser vices Events targeted at the community ’ s

area of interest such as the elderly, active retired groups, community mental health programmes, environment, women, enterprise, youth, agriculture, environment, beekeepers, hor ticulture, biodiversity, Tús, Rural Social Scheme, Community Employment, disabilities, unemployed and underemployed in the wider Duhallow communities

The proposed de velopment will result in the following as par t of the expansion of the existing DCFS building and par t of a long-term strategic masterplan:

• Construction of the Duhallow Rural Development, Education & Training Centre to cater for the hosting of various events organised and promoted by IRD Duhallow Expansion of food preparation and production areas and work ing stations to ser vice the new centre

• Expansion of existing restaurant/café to accommodate increased number of learners

• Provision of additional staff facilities including changing areas and staff canteen to cater for the increased level of staff in recent years

• Provision of increased food storage spaces as well as office/admin spaces to suppor t the day-to - day operations and centralise administration function

• Provision of a looped access deliver y and dispatch road to allow vehicles to manoeuvre around the site safely

• A revised car park layout and bic ycle spaces

The proposed development will generate employment in the area and will allow the overall James O’Keeffe Memorial Complex to continue to expand in a sustainable manner to meet the current needs of the ser vices provided on site DCFS currently employs over 70 people with 20 scheme par ticipants and 50 employees direc tly employed Through this expansion fur ther upsk illing oppor tunities in the food and hospitalit y sector will be generated, suppor ting pathways into work for those who are facing barriers such as long term unemployed, migrants or workforce retur ners Fur ther more, the projec t is intended to benefit the wider community and will not be utilised for leisure activities to compete with other businesses in Newmarket or K anturk

This de velopment is in k eeping with the James O ’K eeffe M emor ial Foundation’s ethos of advancing the complex to meet the needs of the rural and agr icultural population and will prove to be an essential communit y asset for years to come and will promote the moto of the JOK “Progress Through Lear ning” The James O ’K eeffe M emor ial Foundation and DCFS have come together with us to deliver this multimillion Euro project that has the potential to regenerate the town of Ne wmar k et and provide essential ser vices to the entire S outhwest region, not least an appropr iate training and education facilit y to the standard of facilities provided in other third level institutions

O M M U N I T Y G R O U P S I N D U H A L L O W

Wester n Duhallow Communities

Ballinahulla

Ballydaly

Ballydesmond

Boherbue

Cullen

Foil

Glash

Gneeveguilla

Kiskeam

Knockaclarig

Knocknaboul

Knocknagree

Meelin

Rathmore

Rockchapel

Shrone

Taur

Tureencahill

North Easter n Duhallow Communities

Tullylease

Freemount

Castlemagner

Dromagh

Kanturk

Kilbrin

Lismire

Newmarket

South Easter n

Aubane

Banteer

Bweeng

Der rinagree

Donoughmore & Stuake

Fir mount / New Tipperar y

Kilcor ney

Lahar n

Lyre

Millstreet

Nadd

Rathcoole

Mid Cork Car riganima

Clondrohig

Inchigeela / Kilbar r y

Macroom

Aghabullogue

R ylane

Ballinagree

Bealnamor rive

Rusheen

IRD Duhallow Representatives

Liam Doody and Annette O'Keef fe

Richie O'Connor and John O'Connor

Siobhan Moynihan and Aine Rohan

Margaret Murphy and Marie Casey

Der r y Morley and Lor raine Singleton

Philomena Cremin and Geraldine Cremin

Mossie Fitzpatrick and Timothy Collins

Cor mac Collins and Yvonne Crean

PJ O'Lear y and David Curtin

June Walsh and Eda O'Connor

Maureen Fleming and Brin McDonnell

Noreen McSweeney and Mairead O'Sullivan

Nora Shine and Denis McAulif fe

Michaela Donegan and Marie O'Lear y

Mike Allen and Breeda O'Callaghan

Conor Creedon and Kieran Cahill

Batt O'Callaghan and Jeremiah Murphy

Marie Fleming and Jackie Hickey

IRD Duhallow Representatives

Liam O'Gor man and Maureen Daly

PJ O'Sullivan, Mike O'Regan and Michelle Green

Thomas Linehan and Hazel Bourke

Richie Cullinane and Josie Leonard

Eddie Walsh and Tina Dunsten

Tom O'Riordan and Paulina Breen

Martina Aher ne and Marie Ar nold

Dan O'Riordan and Sharleen O'Keef fe

IRD Duhallow Representatives

John Kelleher and Noreen Kelleher

Denis W ithers and John Kir wan

Jeanette O'Connell and Sean Kelly

Judy O'Lear y and Andrias O'Sullivan

Marie Wallace and Monica Kennedy

Claire Hartnett and Peter Caf ferkey

Seamus Curtin and Dan Burke

Eileen Forde and Sheila Crowley

Billy Murphy and Alan Philpott

Sinead Corker y and Denis Hickey

Mar y Leahy and Paudie O'Shea

Dylan Condon and Kate Dennehy

IRD Duhallow Representatives

Martin McSweeney and Cait Ring

W illiam O'Riordan and Alan O'Riordan

Tim Maher and Mar y McSweeney

Declan Sheehan and Lisa Manning

Tim Murphy and Jonathan O'Connell

Martina Casey and John Crowley

Shane Lehane and Aongue MacSuibhne

Don McCarthy and Denis McCarthy

Gerald Coakley and Donal O'Callaghan