Donegal Placenames Committee
Coiste Logainmneacha Dhún na nGall
Placenames are an important aspect of our cultural heritage. They have the ability to communicate the relationships between people and their landscapes and environments in County Donegal. Placenames have the ability to provide insights into our history, culture, society, folklore, topography, ecology and natural heritage. There are 2,758 townlands in County Donegal and the placenames contained within them reflect the natural, built and cultural heritage of these localities. The placenames of County Donegal have the ability to convey and complement the county’s landscape character. The names given to man-made and natural features in our landscape give us insights into the attitudes, values, beliefs and aspirations of the people of County Donegal and contribute to landscape identity.
The Donegal Placenames Committee was established in 2007 to advise Council on approving names given to new developments. Information on the operation of the Place Names Committee is available to download or through the Placenames office, Donegal County Council, Dungloe Public Services Centre. Tel: 074 9561300 email: placenames@donegalcoco.ie.
Energy Conservation
The role of the Energy Conservation Development Officer (Ms. Toni Needham) is to oversee energy conservation development in all its forms and maximize financial and carbon savings within Donegal County Council sites and also at a county level. As outlined in the County Development Plan, the Council wishes to exploit all available renewable energy resources and maximize the amount of energy being sourced from renewables, therefore, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and working towards sustainable development. A number of projects are being developed internally to reduce energy consumption and costs for the Council, including an examination of the Council’s Public Service Centres to identify suitable technologies for renewable energy options. External projects are being developed to increase uptake of micro-renewable energies and to facilitate the development of large-scale renewable energies for the county.
Internal projects
Electricity costs for the Council amount to almost €3 million per annum with heating costs adding to this figure. The Energy Conservation Development Officer proposes to gain energy, carbon and financial savings through the following:
Tender for new Energy Supplier
500 sites, currently under the control of the Council are expected to be taken over by a new energy supplier early in the new year.
Streetlighting
An audit will be carried out on streetlighting and renewable energy options are being considered to power streetlighting.
Biodiesel
Donegal County Council is taking part in a biodiesel trial with ‘Frylite’ who collect waste cooking oil and convert it to biodiesel. Two other local authorities in Northern Ireland are also taking part in this project. It is hoped that Letterkenny Town Council will also join the trial. It is further proposed that between 4-6 of the Council’s vehicles will be converted to using 5% - 10% biodiesel for a trial period and if successful, steps will be taken to expand the project.
Staff Energy Awareness
A EU driven energy awareness campaign targeted at Council staff, called the DISPLAY campaign where a display will be erected showing the energy rating of the building. The aim is to encourage staff to reduce energy consumption at work and at home. Energy Champions for the various buildings will be selected to assist with ongoing energy awareness efforts.
External projects include:
Promotion of Renewables, Public Awareness Campaign, Development of the Use of Wave Energy, Establishment of Energy Forum and Energy Eco Centre.
Further information can be obtained by contacting tneedham@donegalcoco.ie or phone 07491 - 72567
Diaspora
Are you originally from or connected to the North West and interested in coming back?
The Diaspora project currently being undertaken by Donegal County Council and Derry City Council is aimed at people who are living and working in other parts of the country or the world and who want at some point to return. The projects aims to encourage individuals to come back to work, set up a business or be influential in an investment decision into the region.
If you are interested in coming home, setting up a business or would like to know about other ways which you can support development in the North West region – from wherever you are – then we want to hear from you.
Over the course of the this project we will be running a number of events both nationally and internationally aimed at keeping our Diaspora informed about what is going on and encouraging them to get involved in what’s happening at home.
The North West has a real opportunity to develop a sustainable and competitive economy for the future and we want to make sure that everyone who cares about the region has a part to play in that.
To get updates on what’s happening and so that we can invite you and to events where you are then register your details with us by e-mail to:
diaspora@donegalcoco.ie
diaspora@derrycity.gov.uk
The Diaspora project is part of a wider economic development programme branded, Ireland North West – Making Business Happen.
This is the brand of the North West Economic Partnership Project which is a collaboration between Derry City and Donegal County Councils, Donegal County Enterprise Board and North West Marketing. The project is part funded by the European Union under Interreg IIIA
Strabane And Donegal Councils “Have A Heart” For Rural Communities
The HEART (Heritage, Environment, Arts and Rural Tourism) project is targeted at twelve towns and villages on a cross border basis to give the area a much needed boost of investment. The project includes an environmental improvement scheme, shop front improvement scheme, public art scheme and additional signage in each town or village.
The HEART programme is funded through the INTERREG IIIa Programme managed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Border Action, the International Fund for Ireland, the private sector, Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council.
The target towns in the Donegal area are Lifford, Ballyshannon, Ardara, Raphoe, Ballybofey/ Stranorlar, Moville and Ramelton. Many works have now been commenced such as on the roundabout in Lifford and in the purchase and installation of street furniture in Ballyshannon. Other works are still in the planning stages and designs have been selected for the pieces of public art to be installed in each town. It is anticipated that these unique pieces of public art will be installed in each of the towns by April 2008.
Further information about the project can be obtained from Roisin Connolly, Programme Manager, Strabane Donegal HEART Project, Strabane District Council Offices, 47 Derry Road, Strabane. Tel: 028 71382204 Ext 266 or Mobile: 07841 970 200 Email: rconnolly@strabanedc.com
Donegal County Council Development Fund Initiative
Body Responsible for Administering Community, Culture & Enterprise Unit
Budget Allocation: Annual - €540,000 - 2007 / T.B.A - 2008
Level of Grant: Maximum grant of 100%
Eligibility to apply: In line with statutory provision, funding from the DFI is eligible for allocation to County Council led projects, Community Groups, groups with the purpose of carrying out a specific function such as festivals or events, groups with the objective of supporting various local economic, social, cultural, heritage or related activity, County Development Board Partner Organisations and any other group that can demonstrate a bona-fide role and function in supporting community, social, economic or related development as described in the various statutory bases as indicated above.
Eligibility excludes applications from individuals.
Subject to all other relevant statutory and regulatory requirements being satisfied, projects supporting capital expenditure, specific contributions to once off events, specific contributions supporting various social, economic, cultural, heritage and related type activities are all eligible for consideration under the DFI.
Projects requesting funding of a “running cost” nature and which are likely to re-occur on a multi-annual basis will be required to demonstrate clearly the specific area of running cost, where funding is currently deficient and where DFI funding is required. Furthermore, such proposals will be of a limited time period. Applicant groups will not be eligible for such funding beyond an initial three-year period, regardless of changes in types of running costs required.
The DFI will not provide funds to any project, which on evaluation, demonstrates a capacity to cause displacement to an existing initiative within the same catchment or service delivery area.
Type of Supports Provided: Financial assistance provided for local development initiatives.
Primary Target Groups: Examples:
County Council led projects
Community Groups
Festivals/Events
Local economic, social, cultural or heritage related activity
Closing Date: Contact relevant Area Manager for details
Contact Person Caroline McCleary
Contact No Telephone: 074 91 72575
Contact Fax: 074 91 42130
e-mail cmccleary@donegalcoco.ie
Website: www.donegalcdb.ie
www.donegal.ie