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Community Council lights up Rathmore and gets ready to play

carried out by local volunteers. Rathmore Community Council has a core committee of over a dozen members and the groups latest project has just been concluded, with illuminating results. With the assistance of IRD Duhallows LEADER 2007-2013 funding, the two-anda-half kilometre stretch between Rathmores two villages has nally been lit up, following a substantial fundraising initiative that saw the community group work alongside Kerry County Council and IRD Duhallow ahead of the big switch on. The brightened road section now gives local residents the option of using the footpaths for walking or running while the roadside is also much safer for cyclists too. And proof that Rathmore Community Council caters for all age proles, LEADER 20072013 funding has been secured again from IRD Duhallow for another project which will result in a modern, village centre playground adjacent to the local community centre. Equipment will include a range of items, including see-saws, a birds nest swing, stepping pads, carousel, balance beams and other similar equipment. The facility was given the green light in January and the community council is now embarking on a fundraising drive to provide match funding for work to begin. We would like to acknowledge the involvement of the entire community in our projects and we look forward to their support of the next four to six months as we go in search of funding for the new playground which will be a huge asset for every family in the locality, Rathmore Community Council Chairman, Diarmuid McCarthy, states. Formed three decades ago, the community council has been involved in various projects down through the years but its efforts in preparing Rathmore for Tidy Towns and national Pride of Place competitions has seen the east Kerry town come on leaps and bounds. Last year Rathmores Marian Players tasted success in the 32-county Pride of Place competi-

Rathmore

Focus on

Rathmore

he outlook in Rathmore is certainly brighter these days and its all thanks to the hard work currently being

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Derry McCarthy, Sheila Moynihan, John and Bridie ONeill, Diarmuid McCarthy, Margaret Hickey, David Twomey, Mary Dilworth, Michael OMahony and Brian Kelly at the Rathmore Community Centre where the proposed new playground will be built on the adjoining ground. tion with assistance from the community council, dozens more volunteers in the locality and support from IRD Duhallows Ts and Rural Social Scheme. Regular clean-ups, at least four times a year, will also help with Rathmores Tidy towns bid in its inaugural year in the respected competition. Clean ups are very well coordinated by Nora OConnor of the Washbasket, West End, Rathmore. Rubbish Pickers and bags are available to volunteers from Nora. Other initiatives driven by the community council include a new website which features the Rathmore Business Directory and the annual Rathmore Saint Patricks Day parade, undoubtedly the rst parade of the year held anywhere in Ireland. The initiatives are all driven by various sub committees and while there may be a core group of up to 14 volunteers in Rathmore Community Council, many more are involved in these committees. Meanwhile, the com-

The new Street Lighting at Rathmore. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin.

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munity council is also assisted by IRD Duhallows RSS and Ts Schemes, which has resulted in landscaping, painting and general

improvements throughout the area. So from street lights to playgrounds and everything in between, Rathmore Community

Council can be rightly proud of the great work it has carried out over the years, work that is set to continue for many years to come.

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Kids Chorus practicing their songs prior to going on stage in the Rathmore Marian Players Panto Aladdin in the Community Centre, Rathmore. Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin.

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