Island Newsletter, 1st Edition December 2013. It highlights the activity of an island off the coast of Ireland and its search for a sustainable future.
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An carraig ed1
1. Welcome to An Carraig, Arranmore’s latest newsletter.
Failte Romhat go dti an Carraig
The newsletter is to promote the island activities with a focus on its survival and Future Job Opportunities. The
newsletter will promote community events, stories and an update for islanders at home and abroad so that we
can remain attached wherever we are. We hope it will be a one stop shop for people interested in Arran, its way
of life and promoting its future.
The newsletter will include stories from abroad that may help the promotion of Arran and its longevity. It will link
in with out, and out with in. Contact sgallagher@syspro.ie or 00353 85 8555792 or fb Shirley atsyspro
The plan is that this will be issued on a quarterly basis and at present it is self funded by
Shirley Gallagher, Adrian Begley and Paula Killeen. However, donations are gratefully accepted.
The wild Geese are
Inside this Issue back for the winter.
Arainn in pictures
3 They sit below my
2013
house, near old Tarbh
Kids
Christmas
4 Dubh. The geese can
Party
fly further, faster toConnecting
With
4
gether; in fact they
www
save 71% by flying in
The King of Ar5
ranmore
this formation. It alThink Global, Act
5 lows them to fly from
Local
the Arctic, their sumOgham
Bond6 mer feeding grounds,
Island Currency
home, safely together. They are clever,
Creating
Future
6/7
in that they take turns
Job Opportunities
playing follow the
Island Council
7 leader, so none get
Vision & Objectives
7 over tired and the
of SMILEGOV
What is a Sustainable Community?
Are you willing to join the flock?
flock remains intact until they reach their
destination.
On the 3rd November, at the first in the series of meetings on future job opportunities,
I questioned why Arran had stopped pulling
together as it once had to? I highlighted the
stark reality of a dying island, Arran has lost
More on P2
8/9
Island Fishermen Keep Up the Fight for Their Rights
Upcoming Meeting
9
Towards an Excellent Ireland
10
Holyhead
10
Greetings from
America
11
Arranmore Utd
Gaining Strength
12
Pulling For Gold
12
Island Events
12
The Donegal Island
Fishermen
Group,
which has a strong
input from Arranmore
Island
fishermen,
continue to work hard
and have been successful in the sense
that legislation has
been amended to the
benefit of not just island fishermen, but to
inshore fishermen all
along the Donegal
coast.
The island fishermen
group was formed in
2006 prior to the banning of salmon fishing
and the group lobbied
hard to try and conMore on page 5
Edition 1
Nollaig 2013
2. An Carraig
Page 2
Are you willing to join the flock?
Continued from front page
Arran
has
lost
1000
people
in 100
years
1000 people in 100 years.
This is not a unique problem we have alone, it is a
global phenomenon. People go to where the jobs
are. The jobs are in cities
in Dublin, Glasgow, Chicago and London and Arran
people are scattered all
over the globe. In fact we
flock like geese to the
same areas for generations, following in our Fathers, Grandfathers and
Great Grandfathers footsteps.
The comedian
Tommy Tiernan, describes
it well when he speaks of
the Irish invading countries with a 6 pack, a
sleeping bag and ‘the
start’. We are bred to go.
Your children are next,
mine has already gone.
Times have changed,
nowadays we go away
with an education yet we
still have the island resilience, where we will go
anywhere, do anything
and talk to anyone.
These are skills not everyone possesses; we as a
people are adaptable.
The island is turning into a
holiday resort, a quaint
hideaway to get away
from it all for some, and
for others to live it up,
whilst its islanders get older. I came home to record the stories, before
they are lost forever. In
July alone there were 4
funerals on the island. In
August the opportunity Io
revive Arran using the
sustainable platform was
a possibility, if I stuck my
neck out. I did.
On November the 3rd, I
made a statement that if
we continue as we have
done; we will continue to
get what we always have.
We will have less than
300 living here in the
next 20 years if we continue on the path we are
on. Yet there are people
that would love to come
home, to raise their family in a safe, secure environment.
I asked the
question, can Arran
change? Does it want to?
I asked the question can
we pull together to create
a vibrant community, that
will benefit all?
In November, I received
a resounding Yes, lets do
something
positive.
Many Islanders supported
the future jobs initiative
by writing a letter of support as have a number of
academic institutions, industry, Donegal County
Council, our local authority and elected politicians.
There are in excess of
130 letters at present
with more expected as
islanders return home
for the holidays.
A
copy of a draft letter
can be obtained from
Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh.
To date there
have been 3 meetings
(3rd, 21st and 28th November), with action
plans listed both here
and on facebook.
I
personally would like to
thank both co-ops for
the use of the venues
and also to those who
participated and attended the meetings.
The idea of working
together to form a sustainable island will take
time and agreement
from islanders. It is a
beacon of hope. It is
fragile like all new projects so it needs tending, but let’s build on it,
le cheile.
4. An Carraig
Page 4
CONNECTING WITH THE WORLD WIDE WEB
tions are increasingly used
wired broadband services
for everything from speak-
on the island. We are left
ing to friends and family
with a stop gap, a wireless
abroad, banking, booking
service that will not serve
flights, paying our bills to
our needs in only a few
playing games.
short years ahead. We
This connected world is
dependent on the rails of
communication being in
It is said that internet
years are like dog years;
‘Internet
years
are
place; the wires and cables that carry all of our
the passing of one year in
voices, messages, videos,
the real world turns to
songs and business across
seven online.
the country and across
Familiar
online services and sites
the globe. Without this
such as Skype, Google,
basic infrastructure we will
Facebook,
be left behind as everyday
Youtube,
dog
years’
services that we depend
sprung up in the last ten
on are moved online to
years or so and have be-
like
iTunes and others have
reduce costs and increase
come part of our daily
speed and efficiency.
lives for staying in touch,
At present there are no
work
plans for any of the com-
and
relaxation.
Phone and tablet applica-
Childrens’ Christmas Party
I went to the Christmas
party for the kids at Ionad
an Chrois Bhealaigh.
I
started a kids Xmas party,
19 years ago, with Margaret Baoille, Mary, Anne
and Bernadette Boyle because I wanted Elaina to
see Santa and the only
ones who had a party
then was the senior citizens. Angela donated a
gift from Alaska that
couldn’t be found in Ire-
land at the time, its still
on the go.
We raised
enough money in the first
year to have another party the following year.
That tradition has continued as various Moms have
managed the party down
through the years and the
money is still a year
ahead.
It is so much
more professional now
with John Greene the DJ
and a beautiful grotto by
panies to provide proper
the Begleys, the list of
children printed so they
know when their turn is to
see the man himself and
great gifts for the children
and the donations for the
raffles.
I met Mary
Frances there, she came
from Leitrim to spend time
with her family and
friends and for her boys to
meet Santa and play with
their cousins. The youngest baby there was Ruby,
Margaret’s granddaughter,
the Arranmore way is alive
and well.
urgently need to plan and
pressure the powers that
be to provide these services, much as the community did in the 1950’s
for electricity and in the
1970’s for our water. The
island recently lost a returned family of five to
the mainland through lack
of these services, we can
ill afford to lose anyone
else.
Seamus Bonner
5. An Carraig
Page 5
Island Fishermen Keep Up the Fight for Their Rights
Continued from Front page
vince the various
departments
to
overturn
the
goverments decision. The impact
of the banning of
salmon
fishing
cannot be underestimated and the
group continue the
fight which has
lasted close on
seven years. The
group have made
two
separate
presentations
to
the Joint Oireachtas Committee and
are
currently
awaiting the draft
report.
The Fishermen continue to be cautiously optimistic that a
satisfactory conclusion will come out of
the many years of
hard work carried
out by a few dedicated men. The issue of the ban on
'Area 6a' which effectively saw all the
island boats having
to target only two
species - crab and
lobster - has been
relaxed. This relaxation of the rules
has come about
because of the persistence of the Islands committee,
which has seen the
group meet with
MEPs from many
countries.
The
group met with the
European commissioner and again
through hard work
and
countless
hours of lobbying a
very
satisfactory
amendment
and
commitment
to
sustain island life was
introduced, which in
the long term will
have huge benefits to
the Island.
win explained evolution is
the survival of the fittest.
values which are based
on principles handed
down for generations.
We are a place apart; I
believe it is because we
are on the edge, of Ireland, Europe and the
world, allowing for more
diversity and ingenuity.
We hope to report on
the Oireachtas Committee on the next issue of the newsletter.
Jerry Early Spokesperson.
THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL
The global economy is
changing, jobs are changing, and life is changing at
a rapid pace. This year’s
top 10 companies didn’t
exist 10 years ago and the
flip side of the coin is that
many jobs that were popular 10 years ago are now
non existent. There will
be job roles like the little
match girl from the Victorian times that will be unheard of in years to come.
As many manufacturing
jobs and now servicing
jobs have moved to China
and other Eastern countries, it is apparent we
need to create our own
opportunities. We need to
be able to adapt to the
new environment as Dar-
The King of Arranmore
On Sunday 4th August Edward
Boyle “Smiler” was crowned the
first King of Arranmore. In a landslide victory Edward received
59.8% of the votes. Edward “84”
known to everyone as “Smiler” is a
very popular islander who was widowed at a young age and raised
three children. He is known for his
good humour, friendliness and is
an overall gem of a man. He loves
to collect dulce and carrageen
Arranmore is in a position
to lead the way, to think
with our heads, feel with
our hearts and work with
our hands.
We have a
strong sense of place; we
know who we are in a
world that has lost its
way.
We have shared
moss from the shore and regularly
hands it out to visitors and locals.
His hard working hands still have
the craft and skills they’ve had all
his life as you can see the stone
walls he and his best friend Paddy
built recently outside his house.
There must be royalty in the genes
as his granddaughter Aine Rodgers
represented Oilean Mary in this
years Mary from Dungloe International Festival.
Killeens organised the election and
274 votes were cast throughout the
month of July. There was great excitement on the day of the crowning
ceremony and Hugh Rodgers acted
as MC. The ceremony started with a
touching slideshow compiled by
Hugh O’Donnell. The Arranmore
Pipe Band played together with local
musicians Anne Conaghan, Jamie
Neeson, Paddy Gallagher and Connie McCauley. Smiler’s genuine character and good nature shone
through all day. It was a heartwarming event filled with community spirit. Long Live the King!
Paula Killeen
6. An Carraig
Page 6
Ogham Bond –Our Island Currency
The
local
currency er, Dr Shirley Gal-
unchartered
territo-
project on Arranmore lagher told ‘an Car-
ries. By empowering
was closed on the raig’ ‘that the project
the community and
28th September 2013 was
in
having
It
frank conversations, it
nesses cashed in their showed the ability of
raised awareness of
Ogham Bonds for Eu- the islanders to trust
the current situation
ro’s.
following the financial
and the local busi- many
a
triumph
ways.
The summer me, the project as
experiment
was
to well as each other.’
examine if there is a When
speaking
to
open
and
crash of 2008 and the
ongoing
recession.’
support Jerry Early, a local
So to summarise, the
and need for a local publican on the topic
a
talking
which
point
raised
awareness,
pro-
vided free advertisement for the
island
and
powered
emthe
community
think what else
can we do?
Ogham Bonds created
willingness,
currency on the is- he
exclaimed
‘of
land.
The plan was course we would sup-
that
this
initiative port it, sure you are
would deepen the un- one of our own’. The
derstanding of econo- quirky nature of the
my for communities project allowed peothrough
education. ple to think outside
The project develop- the box and explore
CREATING FUTURE JOB OPPORTUNITIES
It has been decided that
Arran wants a future, not
the one that was predicted, a resort but one with
a vibrant community and
a smart economy.
We have an educated
workforce, many multi
lingual, all English speaking.
We have skilled,
knowledgeable, creative
people. Many are scattered throughout the
globe but would return if
there was a place to live
and work on the island.
We have a
stunning environment
to live in but also to
harness energy from,
ensuring we are no
longer reliant on imported fuel. We are
working towards this
future with the help
of SMILEGOV.
We
have a strong social
capital, connections
and a trust that is
there due to shared
values. gotop7
to
Our industries, the tourist, fishing and farming sectors
are in need of help, we need to enable them to build
an infrastructure in order to create higher value stock
and produce. We need a modern communication link
with the rest of the world. We need jobs both highly
skilled and manual in order to ensure the island has a
future.
7. Page 7
An Carraig
CREATING FUTURE JOB OPPORTUNITIES continued from Page 6
We have ¾ of the requirements; we are looking for
suggestions on what could
be done with existing sectors but plan to create
new sectors for the future
of Arran.
a place
we can
live,
work and
GET IN CONTACT AND
WATCH THIS SPACE
play
together
The pie chart identifies that most of the Ogham Bonds were
used in 4 places on the island. Many thanks to all who participated including the businesses above but not forgetting customers such as Patrick Poolawaddy, Wee Sheila Gallagher, John (a
Bhad) O’Hara and Bridget Mc Gowan.
John Walsh from Bere Island will visit on Saturday
26th January 2014 at Ionad
an Chrois Bhealaigh to discuss and share his experiences on creating and running an island council. It is
hoped that this will lead to
open and frank discussion
on the topic, of creating an
island council.
It is proposed that the is-
land council will be based on
Muntir na Tire council concept
(www.muintir.ie). This movement that was set up in 1937, it
was designed to raise the
standard of living of rural Ireland in social, economic, cultural and recreational based on
participation of people themselves to promote the welfare
of their own community.
Objectives of Council
ISLAND COUNCIL
spirit of community service, neighbourliness and
self reliance in working for the common good.
To promote the welfare of the Irish people
through an organisation that is non party political
and non sectional.
To foster a sense of responsibility to the needs
and problems of the local community and to devise programmes of action and development
particularly those based on co-operation.
To unite Irish communities in a
VISION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SMILEGOV PROJECT
An Intelligent Energy Europe
funded initiative called SMILEGOV, is bringing together
a raft of islands it is proposed
that we as islands work together to create a model that
can be replicated in other
rural coastal regions. As we
have the potential to produce
renewable energy using
wind, wave, tidal and solar.
The project is bringing together islanders, government
agencies, trainers and investors bringing everyone
around the table. By investing in the green economy,
we can build something together faster and further
together.
My vision, which sits in the
community centre, has a
place we can live, work and
play together.
It is a sustainable future that is possible today. It shows a sense
of security in growing our
own food, creating energy,
using it wisely, creating jobs
and a place to have fun.
My objective as part of the
SMILEGOV project is for the
island to become an innovation hub, using our connections, and using the energy
generated on the island to
create employment.
I am
proposing that we examine
using the energy to grow
food for home use and for
market and processing local
produce, marketing and branding as one. This will create a
vibrant community that will be a
beacon for those wanting to live
in a safe and caring environment. I want to nurture the
care, craft and culture of our
island. I want to work together
for a shared and lasting prosperity for Arranmore.
8. An Carraig
Page 8
What is a Sustainable Community?
The definition of what is a
sustainable community has
been taken from SEAI
‘Guidelines for a Sustainable Community and related
back to the island by Shirley
Gallagher.
This is available from their site
www.seai.ie but also on the
facebook group sustainable islands, under files as is other
important documentation.
It should be a sustainable
energy zone-a specific geographical area. As Arran is
an island, our geographical
boundary is obvious.
This
should allow others to become
aware of the idea and allow us
to become a test site for innovative products.
An example is the KickTrike.
This is still in testing phase;
however we are currently in
talks to produce the product on
Arran and also to use them.
We are hoping it will be a disruptive
innovation
is
an innovation that disrupts, improves and replaces an existing
product over time in unexpected ways. The KickTrike
will be demonstrated at the upcoming event in Howth Yacht
Club ‘Ammunition for Success’
where Dr Shirley Gallagher and
Mr Axel Pohle, colleagues at
Irish Radio International
(www.irishradiointernational.co
m) will discuss how Arran is
leading the flock in sustainable
communities on the 9th January 2014. A demonstration on the island, including
a visit to the braes, School,
Glen, Jimmy Ward’s and
Barr an Baile Mor will be
hosted by SysPro;Systems
for Progress Limited on the
10th January 2014.
It should cover all aspects of society, residential,
educational,
commercial and public.
Stakeholders are from
all sectors, private and
public.
Many members of Arranmore society have received notification of the
SMILEGOV initiative, many
have returned their letters
of support and others are
encouraged to engage,
question and support initiative. Using face to face
meetings as well as the use
of social media has been
critical. It is believed that
the diaspora are part of the
solution, where many would
chose to return home if
work was available. As a
result they have been included in the consultation.
It should have strong
stakeholder community
commitment.
Ensure
momentum is maintained and improved.
Working on the council idea
came about from Shirley’s
visit to Scandinavia
and discussion of
their best practises.
Bere Island, Co Cork
created their council
in 2004. John Walsh,
Chairman
of
Comhdhaill will visit
Arranmore on Saturday 25th January 2014
to share his experience on Bere and on
the creation of the
West Cork Islands initiative. We would encourage everyone to
attend the meeting
that is interested in
creating a united and
fairer society in Arranmore.
It must have a defined management
structure and process.
This is where the
need for a council of
island representatives
is critical. It is perceived that we will
have a representative
for every 20 persons.
It has been proposed
that the townlands
and business sectors
should be represented as well as the educational and health
establishments.
A baseline energy
study must be fully
understood
We
are
completely
9. Page 9
An Carraig
What is a Sustainable Community?
continued from Page 6
dependent on fossil
fuel at present and as
cost rises we need to
think smarter in how
we
manage
these
costs. The feasibility
report will include a
baseline energy study
to ensure we know
where we started from
in terms of energy.
We need to create and
aim
for
SMART
(specific, measurable,
accurate, realistic and
timely) targets that are
integrated into our society with energy efficient projects and a
sustainable
energy
supply.
It must be replicable and a good practise study
This is to allow others
to follow our example
and benefit from our
knowledge and learning
experiences.
This will
provide a flow of people
to the island, eco tourists
eager to learn how they
can do the same. Other
places such as Samso,
Denmark, Orkneys, Scotland and Gussing, Austria
have found this to be the
case but also it has led to
an increase in population
and job opportunities.
The 8 inhabited West
Cork islands and Inis Mor
are also involved in SMILEGOV and are driving
forward on their islands.
health and increase tourism.
Funding of the projects that develop will
come from a number of sources.
CHECK OUT groupSUSTAINABLE islands
on facebook/Linkedin
It must provide clear
recognisable benefits
We believe that creating
a focus on energy and its
role in producing future
jobs, will increase community engagement, empower islanders, increase
population,
improve
UPCOMING MEETING 28th December 8pm
at Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh
In the upcoming
meeting on the 28th
December 2013 at
Ionad an Chrois
Bhealaigh the focus
will be on issues relating to SMILEGOV –
the ‘establishment
act’ and the ‘pact of
islands’. These have
been taken from an
international meetings and it is hoped
that all islanders will
support this initiative
on the 28th by agreeing to the pact of islands by writing a
draft letter of support. Over 130 letters already have
been gratefully received. This will complete our part of the
SMILEGOV initiative
and we will examine
the next phase of developing Arainn into a
thriving sustainable
community.
DEMO on 10th
January on a
brae near you
10. An Carraig
Page 10
Towards an Excellent Ireland, Ar Aghaidh Linn
Tangible Ireland was established in 2001 to provide support services to both indigenous start up enterprises and
foreign direct investment (FDI).
From the beginning at Tangible
we had a significant interest
and commitment to corporate
social responsibility (CSR) with
particular focus on community
empowerment, Social Enterprise and Cross Community
and Cross Border projects.
Since the fiscal crisis on 2008,
Tangible’s CSR activities have
further evolved into promoting
thought leadership around the
core values of collaborative
leadership, shared excellence
and the concept of ‘pay it forward!’
Tangible is positive in its outlook and pragmatic in its approach. We seek to add value
through our interventions and
to provide a beacon of leadership and inspiration for those
with passion and talent in the
battle for a positive future.
In early 2009, we initiated
the Tangible Leadership series bringing together a diverse collection of intellects
and advocates to face the
challenges of creating an
improved Ireland. With a
global network of over 1000
followers/contributors keen
to participate in Tangible
debate which is restriction
free, positive and pragmatic, we visit venues from Belfast to Sydney, Ballyhoura
to New York.
2014,
begins
with
‘Ammunition for Success’ in Howth on January
9th at the Yacht Club. Our
theme is based on centenary of the Howth Gun
Running in 1914, which was
the precursor to the Easter
Rising in 1916.
It was through Linkedin
that we heard of Shirley
Gallagher’s endeavours to
bring a more sustainable
economy to Arainn Mhor.
Her ideas about cultivating indigenous enterprise,
championing the fishing
industry and creating a
greater connectivity between island communities
around the world resonate well with our Tangible values.
We have
highlighted her work recently in the London Irish
Centre hosting the seminar ‘London, Our friend in
Europe’ in November
2013. We look forward
to hearing from Shirley in
Howth in January where
many will empathise with
her passion for positive
intervention in coastal
communities.
Ar Aghaidh Linn!
Raymond Sexton
Tangible Ireland-your partner in a global economy
raymond.sexton@tangible.ie
HOLYHEAD
I only recognise
and better suits and dressed
the strangers,
coming back home,
than the set of clothes and
Sunday best
as they came home,
they’d arrived in.
Home to a place that didn’t
every sun segued,
rain shaped summer, exist.
lugging suitcases and Restless with the urge to run
trunks off the ferry
They hid at the kitchen table,
On the street, in the pew, at
the counter.
They couldn’t breathe
For fresh air
And found
Longing where they least expected it.
Joseph Horgan
Taken from
‘An Unscheduled Life’
Agenda Editions 2012
11. Page 11
An Carraig
Greetings from America
Nathan Johnson, Ocean Renewable Power Company
Clean Predictable Power from Oceans and Rivers
My family has called
the islands of Casco
Bay, Maine, 2 hours
northeast of Boston
and in particular Long
Island home for hundreds of years. Long
Island’s population is
200 with many more
in the summer
months. My 3 children go to school
there and my family
have been lobster
fishermen for generations.
islander is a sense
of community,
character, and sustainabilitynecessities for living in an isolated
location. However,
global challenges
including climate
change (higher
ocean temperatures
and acidification),
loss of fisheries,
high energy costs
and the subsequent
departure of youth
are straining the
Island communities
viability of these
around the globe
share remarkably simi- communities.
lar principles, chalDespite these challenges and opportuni- lenges, many isties. Inherent in an
lands are blessed with
an untapped resource,
energy from the ocean
and the skilled mariners
familiar with working
this harsh environment.
I have been involved in
making energy projects
happen as a Director of
Ocean Renewable Power Corporation (ORPC).
In 2012, ORPC made
history by connecting a
tidal turbine to the electric grid, near Eastport,
Maine, a first for ocean
energy in the Americas.
Building on OPRC’s early
success, we are pursuing global opportunities
to develop ocean ener-
gy projects. Through
recent conversations
with Shirley Gallagher
and a meeting with
delegates from Donegal County Council we
are strengthening
connections and
learning about opportunities in the area. I
look forward to further communications
both personally and
professionally and encourage you to contact me if you have
further interest related to Maine’s island
communities and
ORPC.