Roscommon town scores well in litter survey despite increased dumping at local wasteland
These include Roscommon GAA's home grounds in King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, Main Street and The Square.
The N61, N63 Approach, N63 Galway Approach Road and the 'absolutely spotless' Aldi deposit return scheme also received Grade A rankings.
The latest IBAL survey makes Roscommon town 'clean to European norms'.
In their report, An Taisce surveyors said the laneway between Fire Station and Circle K was 'a much-improved area compared to a couple of years ago, with much of the large pieces of metal waste and old sofas removed'.
'The installation of a gate appears to be having the desired effect i.e. preventing access. Litter items this time around were much smaller in nature e.g. fast-food wrappers and plastic bags, along with a sort of metal canister,' they stated.
Surveyors expressed concern about the level of dumping at the waste land adjacent to recycle facility, which received Grade D.
Roscommon County Council have told An Taisce that the site is 'beyond their remit' and have attempted to contact the owner of the site.
'While this site has been highlighted in many previous IBAL surveys, the level of dumping appears to be increasing. All manner and vast quantities of materials have been dumped upon a vast expanse of wasteland,' the IBAL report on Roscommon town stated.
Described as 'moderately littered' in an IBAL survey in June 2024, Roscommon town has risen from 27th place to 23rd out of 40 towns since the last IBAL survey was published in January.
The results of the latest report have been welcomed by Roscommon Tidy Towns.
In 2024, the town was awarded Ireland's Best Kept Large Town award in the all-island, Best Kept Town Competition.
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Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Richard Hogan: Being connected all the time doesn't always help loneliness
A study by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre found that Ireland has the highest rate of loneliness of all European countries. For such a small country, it is surprising that we should have such a prevalence of loneliness among our population. There have been a number of studies looking into loneliness. The World Health Organization recently said that teenage girls are the loneliest group in the world, and the Surgeon General in America classified loneliness as a new epidemic. In this modern world of extreme individuality and technology, something is getting left behind — us. Of course, you can be alone and feel like you're connected to everything, and then be at a party full of people and experience a profound sense of aching loneliness. In my experience, loneliness refers to the lack of mattering in your life. If we feel like our social connections are not strong, and that people don't respect us or see us, we can feel incredibly lonely. Every day, I hear young people tell me, in my clinic, that they feel irrelevant — like they don't even matter. They talk about themselves as if they are minor characters in a play. The pain this is causing them is difficult to sit with. We must understand what is causing such loneliness. Ireland has the second youngest population in Europe, with 60% of our population under 45 years of age. The median age in Ireland is 38.8. These statistics are important if we want to figure out how to do better as a country and develop policies that are loneliness-sensitive. I am currently carrying out a study into Gen Z, and my data so far has found that they are lonely, not going out socialising as much as previous generations, and are stuck on their phones. Young men are telling me that they would not go over and chat to a girl they found attractive at a bar, for fear of seeming 'creepy'. A heavy reliance on dating apps has made meeting someone transactional. If I looked at the following stats, I might swipe left: 'Loves Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, long walks, and doesn't care for cooking.' Yet, we are married and have three beautiful children. The brutal accuracy with which we are trying to connect with each other does not allow for anyone different or interesting to come into our lives. I'm seeing this in my research with Gen Z. Another aspect of this loneliness issue in Ireland is how the Government attempts to address the trend. All the research shows us that loneliness damages both physical and mental health. It can cause early death, cardiovascular issues, suicidality, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. So, it is in the government's interest to fix this problem — and it should be achievable in such a small country. The Government's policy of 'social prescribing' involves the provision of non-clinical community services. However, these services help individuals to manage their loneliness but don't deal with the root causes. Rurality and the lack of transport and infrastructure in low-density areas is another serious issue. We have people living in rural Ireland who are essentially cut off from their community. If our government is serious about tackling this issue, we need to address it as a matter of urgency. We know that connecting to our community is vitally important for our health, and yet there are people in rural Ireland unable to go to the local shop because there is absolutely zero transport to bring them there. I think when we analyse something like loneliness, we immediately think about teenagers and technology, and we forget about people who might be elderly, living in low-density areas, who have only the tramp of the milkman or postman to keep them company. We must do better by people living in rural Ireland. We must invest in them. Loneliness is something we all feel from time to time, but there is something happening in Ireland that is causing a profound sense of being alone. I don't think we spend enough on private and public healthcare. Low expenditure in these domains, research shows, is linked with higher country-level loneliness. We must do better. I also think we rely too heavily on commercial pathways — such as cafés and shopping malls — for teenagers to connect. We do not provide them with enough places to go and socialise that are fun and healthy. They quite literally have nowhere to go. With all this talk about who will be the next President of this great country, we need someone who understands the issues facing Ireland and who is strong enough to try and implement change by engaging with the government and advocating for those who do not have a voice in our society. I sincerely hope it isn't some fading star looking to have their ego stroked, or a politician who thinks it might be a nice way to end their career. We need someone vibrant and strong, with a deep love for this country and its people. Rural Ireland is such a beautiful place. It is what makes this country so special. But we have to do better by the people living there, so that they are connected and able to join their community. For such a small country, we are essentially one big community — we should be more connected to each other. The Government must deliver on their Roadmap for Social Inclusion, but also start to invest in our people so they are not lonely.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Irish Independent
Around the Districts: Around the Districts: Ardcath/Clonalvy, Curraha, Gormanston and Julianstown
Contact Any news or items of interest contact Niamh at 086 3477283 or email niamhuiloinsigh@ Ardcath Tidy Towns If anyone would like to be involved with Ardcath Tidy Towns, please WhatsApp 087 8354805 to be added to the Tidy Towns WhatsApp Group. Michael Fox Ardcath Tidy Towns Committee. Ardcath ICA Social Dancing continues every Monday evening in Bennetts Function Room at 7pm. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. Ardcath Guild Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in Bennetts Function Room Ardcath– St. Mary's Church Ardcath Special Thanks: Fr. Steve warmly thanks all who shared birthday wishes and heartfelt gestures. From secondary school days at 11, through philosophy and theology at 22, his first parish journey as parish priest at 33, to starting his mission in Ireland at 44: each chapter has been a step of grace, growth, and service. Your thoughtful gestures shine a light on his journey and bring warmth to his heart. Míle buíochas. Scorching temperatures ahead? Take a moment to check in on elderly or housebound neighbours: they might appreciate a helping hand with groceries, watering their plants, or simply someone to talk to. A small visit can mean the world in this heat. Summer in the Parish: As the season brings holidays and sunny distractions, heartfelt thanks go out to those who faithfully keep parish life running smoothly. From our Sacristans, Secretary, Readers and Ministers of Holy Communion, to the Collectors, and those who diligently count the weekly Offertory and Envelopes. A special nod to the Altar Society, Organists, Cantors, Altar servers and all the quiet heroes behind the scenes. Your commitment makes all the difference. First Friday Visits to the Sick, and Housebound: The First Friday Visits take place on the First Fridays of the Month and are an opportunity for those who are unable to leave their homes to receive Confession, Holy Communion and the Sacrament of the Sick. If you wish to be included in the pastoral visits, please contact the Parish Office on 018350136 or Fr. Steve on 087-3379031 St. Vincent's GFC Lotto – 21st July, 2025 Numbers drawn were 15-20-30. Monthly Draw Winners Eamon Waters and Patrick McGill. Jackpot €1,250. No winner. Make sure you play your favourite numbers. Windfall draw takes place on Monday night @ 9.00pm. Play before 6pm Monday at Text Alert Duleek & District Community Text Alert covering Duleek, Bellewstown, Ardcath/Clonalvy, Donore, Beamore, Rathfeigh, Stamullen, Gormanston, Julianstown subscription of €6 can now be paid for free by Revolut. Please send your name & address along with payment to 086 8097737. If you're not already registered with Text Alert, please consider doing so. Curraha Contact Curraha GAA Our Under 15s finished off the 7 aside tournament in St Mary's on Friday evening. Lovely few weeks of football, followed by a lovely evening of pizza and treats. Thanks to St Mary's for organising and hosting us every Monday for the past 4 weeks. Great to see all the girls out playing football. Everyone had a great time. Special thanks to Gillian in St Mary's for the warm welcome and wonderful organisation! Well done to all involved. Club Lotto Envelopes are available in Swans, The Becks and The Snail Box. Please note the deadline for online entries is 6pm Monday. Entries are available here– Curraha Tidy Towns Calling everyone to come out the 1st Saturday of each month to clean up your area. Bags can be provided if required ring Deirdre on 0868868917 or Marcella on 0876744691. Please drop the full bags back to the Church carpark for collection by the County Council. Let's be proud of our village. Cemetery Devotions Ardcath: Sunday 14th Sept. 1:30pm Support School Lotto Go to Gormanston Monthly beach & road cleanup We have our monthly beach & road cleanup on Saturday 2nd August starting at 10.30 in the small car park near the Huntsman pub. Cleanup bags, gloves and equipment supplied. All welcome. It's also a reminder for all Tidy Towns supporters to do their little bit to enhance the environment of Gormanston in whatever way they can. Car Break-in A car was broken into in the Gormanston area last week. We would just like to remind everyone to lock up, stay vigilant and stay safe. Julianstown Contact Any news or items of interest contact Niamh at 086 3477283 or email niamhuiloinsigh@ Julianstown Tidy Towns Clean up in Village: Many thanks to our Volunteers for all the work they are carrying out in the village each Saturday. Work is continuing on the beds in the Community Garden at 10.30 am on Saturdays. All equipment needed will be supplied such as gloves, high vis, tools etc., just wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Enjoy a cuppa and a chat afterwards. Community Garden: Many of our volunteers spent Saturday removing the weeds from the pathways, but it was during the week that things really got moving in the garden. Bob, Kevin, Gerard, Omar and Paul started removing hedging, trees, raised beds, plants so that the digger etc can access the garden. All this work needs to be done before mid-August so that we can get a base built for the Gazebo. If you happen to be free any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday mornings we could use a bit of extra help. Feel free to drop in anytime and see the work as it progresses. We will be erecting an outdoor Gazebo for teenagers in the garden mid-August, and we hope that when the call goes out for some helping hands to get the ground ready and move some plants that residents and teenagers will come along to help. We need to then put in a cement base for the Gazebo and also for some outdoor games tables which should be a fantastic outdoor play area for teenagers. Maybe some of our local teenagers would give a hand during their summer holidays – games will be table tennis, table top football, outdoor games table and a basketball practice area. Sincere Sympathy Condolences and sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Patrick McEnaney, Briarleas, Julianstown after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family. Predeceased by his beloved wife Clare. Loving dad to Shane, Lorna, Elizabeth and Fiachra. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Footpaths A new footpath linking Mosney Village to the crossroads at the main Julianstown Road is on the way. We are delighted to hear this and thank Cllr. Sharon Tolan for her request for the introduced at the latest meeting of the Laytown/Bettystown MD . This is urgently needed as there are many residents in Mosney Accommodation and, indeed, local residents using this very unsafe road. The estimate for commencement of this Part 8 process is early 2026. We have on numerous occasions asked the council to install a Bus Shelter at this crossroads as there are many people using the bus service and it is dreadful to think that in this day and age that they must wait in the pouring rain. The Julianstown & District Residents are also requesting that Councillors have a look at the lack of footpaths in Julianstown Village and perhaps they should approve continuous footpaths on either side of the road, especially given that we have Whitecross National School struck right in the middle of the R132. There are two pedestrian crossings in the village, and they are one kilometre apart and now that the schools are closed for their summer holidays it is a free for all vehicles going through Julianstown. Traffic calming for Julianstown is still a long off thanks in the main to Uisce Éireann and yet the council has not installed the speed ramps, which would go a long way to slowing down the speeding traffic. If there are any matters you would like raised concerning the village, please email us at julianstowndca@ or you can contact any member of our committee. Active Retirement Association East Meath Active Retirement Association (EMARA) meet every Thursday in St. Mary's Church of Ireland Parish Rooms, Laytown Road, Julianstown from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm each week. New members are always welcome to join this vibrant group of men and women. We have many events and outings lined up for the coming month. For more details contact Rose at 0868377033 and Eilish at 0863656951 . Adult Dance Classes Adult Dance Classes with Rachel Smyth will be held each Tuesday in the Julianstown Community Centre from 10 am to 11 am. Admission is €60 for a six-week term or €12 per drop-in class. Book now on 087 9420307 Julianstown Bowls Club Julianstown Bowls Club is recruiting new members. Why not come along to experience the game of bowls and have a very enjoyable evening, on Monday or Thursday from 8 to 10 pm in Julianstown Community Hall. Contact Sean on 086-8438803 or Marie 086-1525413. St Mary's Church of Ireland All Sunday services 10.30 am. 27th July: Morning Prayer, On Sunday 31st August the Back-to-School Service will take place. This now annual event marks the start of the new school year for children and young people, teachers, other people involved in education and parents. Children are encouraged to come along with their school bags and to receive a blessing. Charity Collections: The Collection during July will be for The Mission to Seafarers. Confirmation: The Bishop has given us a date for confirmation as the 19th of April 2026. Anyone from 5th Class upwards is welcome to come. The Confirmation Classes will take place on Sunday 4th January – candidates will be asked to come to church at 10.30 and to remain afterwards until 1pm for a class and to return on Monday 5th January from 7–8.30pm. Summer work parties: take place in the church grounds from around 7 pm every Tuesday evening and great work has been achieved around the church grounds. If you are free, on any summer Tuesday evening when the weather is fine, please come along. St Mary's and St. Patrick's Church Baptism Preparation: Our next preparation meeting takes place this Tuesday, 2nd September. If you wish to register your child for Baptism please contact our parish office. Flowers in our Churches: We sincerely appreciate those who care for the church flowers. Their dedication in checking, refreshing, and renewing them weekly brings beauty and warmth to our sacred space. Their efforts enhance our worship environment, and their commitment is truly commendable. Thank you for making our church more welcoming and vibrant! Supporting our Parish: We continue to receive donations towards the Projects which have been undertaken in our Parish, and we are very grateful to you all. Your support is very much appreciated. These projects benefit everyone, and we would like to thank all who support our Parish with these special donations and every week. Confirmation 2026: We have been advised from Bishop's Office that the Ceremony for Sacrament of Confirmation will take place in our Parish on Monday, 23rd March 2026. Enrolment Ceremony for those who which to receive the Sacrament will take place in September. St Patrick's GAA Lotto Jackpot € 9,600 and numbers drawn were 1,22,25,30. Jim Kenna match 3 Damian Gerraghty, Tony Reilly, Miriam Kenny. Next drawn on 29th July and Jackpot will be €1,000.
The Irish Sun
22-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
The little-known reason Scots should love BATS and why they're a lifesaver in the garden this summer
KING Charles is to provide a new home for bats at his Scottish mansion so work can go ahead. Surveys found evidence of potential roosting sites after he applied for permission to build a luxury wedding venue in Dumfries House near Cumnock, Ayrshire, where bat boxes have now been installed in the grounds of the A-listed building. 4 The common pipistrelle is having to fight for survival. 4 A cloud of dreaded midges, that can blight any summer event. 4 Dr Joe Nunez-Mino is one of the UK's top bat experts. But The King isn't the only one to be left in a flap over bats with a £100million 'bat tunnel' also constructed for the controversial HS2 rail line in Buckinghamshire. Chief Features Writer MATT BENDORIS speaks to a top conservationist about why we need to help these nocturnal flying mammals. DOCTOR Joe Nunez-Mino has many reasons why a thriving bat population is good for the environment but one should endear them to Scots more than others - their voracious appetite for midges. As the biting insects continue to cause havoc at family barbecues and day-trips this summer, the one thing helping to keep them at bay are Scotland's airborne mammals. And Dr Joe from the Bat Conservation Trust insists that our nine species of resident bats help in many other ways too. He said: 'We can only estimate but we do know bats eat a lot of insects, each individual bat eating hundreds or even thousands (of midges) every night. 'Different bat species specialise in eating different insects, from biting insects like midges through to moths, including some insects that damage crops and gardens. 'To give one example, a study published last year estimated that bats in apple orchards reduce the total weight of apples damaged by codling moths by 50 per cent.' Most read in Fabulous In the UK all bat species and their roosts are legally protected by both European legislation and domestic laws including Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017). But since the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 it has been a criminal offence to disturb a structure or place bats use for shelter or protection. 'He is spooked' - Moment The Open commentator hides under his jacket as BAT invades broadcasting booth at Portrush It means DIY and commercial builders have to carry out expensive bat surveys costing several thousands - or more if the mammals are found and need to be removed. Dr Joe said: 'There is a cost associated with protecting the environment just like there is with health and safety or protecting historical heritage. 'While we as an organisation don't have any control or influence on the costs of bat surveys, we have worked with some Statutory Nature Conservation Organisations (SNCO) to streamline the process where possible. 'To avoid delays, it's important to take bats into account from the earliest stages of planning work.' He adds: 'Having a bat roost does not prevent developing a property, bats just need to be taken into account as part of the process. Householders should seek advice from their SNCO.' However Dr Joe believes that bats get a bad press including the 1km long bat tunnel in Buckinghamshire that added an extra £100million to the runaway cost of the HS2 rail line. He said: 'We were not involved in the process. However, we do know that multiple cross-party inquiries have found that HS2's delays and cost overruns stem from mismanagement, not nature protections. 'HS2 did not carry out a timely strategic environmental assessment which could have identified viable alternatives that could have avoided significant expenditure and delay.' While in 2002 Scottish wildlife artist David McRae, 56, from Tayside, died from rabies after being bitten by a bat - it was the first case of indigenous rabies in the UK in 100 years. Dr Joe said: 'Two rabies-related viruses have been detected in two bat species in the UK and in only a very small number of individuals. 'If someone is bitten, licked, nipped or scratched by a bat they should wash and disinfect the area and urgently seek medical treatment. 'The NHS has said prompt post-exposure vaccinations have been 100 per cent effective in preventing the disease.' But Dr Joe believes that work done by organisations like his and the stringent laws are helping bats, which have been in decline, to slowly make a recovery. BATS HAVE DELAYED HOUSE DEMOLITION BUT I STILL WANT TO PROTECT THEM LAST March my wife and I bought an uninhabitable bungalow on Scotland's West Coast and wanted to pull it down before it fell down and replace it with a shiny new build. But 16 months on there hasn't even been a spade in the ground because late on in the planning process it was suddenly announced we needed a bat survey. The problem was by the time we were informed last year, the flying mammals would be hibernating for the winter and a dusk survey - with infrared cameras and sound equipment - couldn't be carried out until the spring. In the end we didn't have any roosting bats, but it has added a £1,800 bill to the project we hadn't budgeted for. Someone else in the area wasn't so lucky and it cost them £5,000 to have their bats removed by an ecologist. But surely with all the technology now available there has to be a quicker - and far cheaper - way of checking where they are roosting, so people can get on with their projects? And when I do finally get my new house built any neighbourhood bats are more than welcome to come and live rent free. He explains: 'All bat species have suffered historical declines in population numbers but we have seen signs of initial recovery in some species. 'We are currently able to monitor five of the nine resident bat species in Scotland through the National Bat Monitoring Program. 'Of these five, four species - Daubenton's bat, Natterer's bat, common pipistrelle and brown long-eared bat - show no significant change since the base line year of 1999 and one species has increased - soprano pipistrelle. 'Bat conservation is important because they are a vital part of our natural heritage which make up around a quarter of our mammal species and they also play a critical role in the ecosystem. 'There is very good evidence that bat populations help to reduce the need for pesticides which ultimately harms the health of other wildlife and people too.' Read more on the Irish Sun He adds: 'Scotland would have a lot more midges and other insects without them.' *For more information on the Bat Conservation Trust visit 4 Soprano Pipistrelle bat numbers are showing signs of recovery.
