Volume 11 - Issue 12 - Carlow Public Participation Network Members E-Bulletin, December 2025
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Influencing the Decisions That Shape Your Community!
Community & Voluntary ~ Social Inclusion ~ Environment
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🎄Welcome to the 12th edition of the Carlow PPN Members’ e-Bulletin.
The Carlow PPN Secretariat and staff would like to take this opportunity
to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year 🎄
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Thanks to all our Member Groups, Volunteers & Partners
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As we come to the end of another busy year, Carlow PPN would like to thank all our member groups, volunteers, and partners for your continued commitment and collaboration. Your energy, ideas, and community spirit have helped strengthen participation and representation across the county throughout 2024.
We look forward to building on this work together in the year ahead.
Wishing you all a restful Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.
From Carlow PPN Staff and Secretariat!
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Heritage Forum - New PPN Representative
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Carlow PPN is delighted to welcome St. Mullins Heritage and Tourism Group’s Maureen Dalton as the second PPN representative on the Carlow Heritage Forum.
We warmly congratulate Maureen on her appointment and wish her every success in this important role. Her dedication to heritage and community will be a valuable asset to the Forum’s work in protecting and promoting Carlow’s rich cultural legacy.
If you have any observations or concerns you would like your Heritage Forum representatives to raise, please get in touch with us or contact Brigid Fox at myshallmuintir@gmail.com
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Strategic Policy Committees in Local Government
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Introduction to Strategic Policy Committees (Introductory Webinar)
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Each County Council uses Strategic Policy Committees (SPC's) to review, create and inform policy decisions in their County. You can get involved and take part directly to make an impact for your community!
Learn more about the potential of the Strategic Policy Committees and how they work, hear examples of community driven policy from across Ireland, find out how you can get involved and what supports exist to help you in this role.
Please see presentation below, itincludes links to documents and videos mentioned.
Watch Introductory Webinar Recording here
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Follow us on our socials - for current, relevant local & national news @carlowppn
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Please avail of the opportunity to advertise in our monthly eBulletin.
Email/call Fiona on 087 276 0139/059 9136288
fbroadbery@carlowcoco.ie
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Exploring SDG 13: Climate Action
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Goal 13 of the Sustainable Development Goals is Climate Action. It calls for quick and effective steps to fight climate change and reduce its effects. The goal focuses on preparing for climate disasters, including climate concerns in national plans, and helping people and communities adapt.
Read more.
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Episode 6 - ECOChats Podcast
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Episode 6 of the ECOChats podcast is now available.
This episode, titled “Tidy Towns,” shares stories of local people who have spent decades caring for their communities.
Host Alan Swan speaks with Paddy Gardiner from the Bagenalstown Improvement Group, who has been involved for 55 years; Will Paton of Tullow Tidy Towns, marking 30 years of work; and Matt Cocci, Chair of Carlow Tidy Towns, who talks about how caring for a place creates a sense of belonging.
Find the links at:
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Community Climate Action Programme Fund
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This funding stream will award €378,000 to community groups in Co. Carlow. Application portal will close on Tuesday 16.12.2025.
Please contact Áine Byrne, on byrnea@carlowcoco.ie with any queries.
Apply here
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A Just Transition - Building Communities that Thrive
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A just transition extends beyond carbon reduction to include enhanced connection, creativity, and community resilience. In this session, Averil Rafferty from The Wheel discusses how social enterprises and community groups can advance this transition by combining environmental awareness, local empowerment, and principles from the science of play.
Watch the recording here
Link to Slides
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Climate Connected Project
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The Climate Connected Project helps communities across Ireland reduce carbon emissions and take meaningful action on climate change. It supports and empowers local communities to lead climate action, from planning to real change. The Project highlights what the project has delivered, how it supports Ireland’s climate goals, and recognises the contributions of all partners.
An event will take place at The Galmont Hotel and Spa on Dec. 8th from 10am to 3pm, to celebrate the achievements of the Climate Connected Project.
Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with others involved and learn about the next steps for the project.
Reserve your spot here
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Tullow Road Multi-Functional Community Hub
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Carlow County Council are delighted to report that the new Tullow Road Multi-Functional Community Hub is progressing very well through its construction phase. Works on site are advancing with positive momentum, and the project remains on track as an exciting new resource for the local area.
When complete, the Hub will be a truly multi-functional space, designed to adapt to the diverse needs of the community. It will provide an inclusive and welcoming environment where people can connect, feel supported, and explore a wide range of possibilities - whether that’s social inclusion initiatives, cultural events, recreational programmes, youth development or broader community led projects or initiatives.
By offering flexible spaces that can be used for learning, meeting, creating, relaxing, or organising, the Hub will empower individuals and groups, fostering personal growth, community resilience, and meaningful participation.
Carlow County Council thanks you, the community for your continued support and they look forward to keeping you updated as this important project continues to move forward.
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Féile Lonrach – Festival of Glow
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Carlow County Council recently launched its new Christmas programme, Féile Lonrach, featuring some exciting elements this year:
- The Santa Bus – Bagenalstown & Tullow, 6th & 13th Dec.
- Carlow Comedy Festival – 11th - 14th Dec.
Full Tickets & Shows
- The Santa Room at Carlow Library – Open from 29th Nov. through Christmas Break, where children can write letters to Santa.
- Shop Local & Community Activities – Includes competitions, events in the Exchange, Youth Services, schools, Library Events, and visual arts (details to be announced).
The programme is made possible thanks to Fiona O’Toole, Aine Donohue, Laura Kelly, Linda Culleton, and the wider council teams, An Garda, Civil Defence, Carlow Tourism, and Chamber.
More details can be found here
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Art in Every Place - 40 Years of Partnership
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The Arts Council and Ireland’s 31 local authorities marked 40 years of working together to bring the arts to every part of the country. A national event celebrating this milestone took place at Limerick City Gallery of Art.
Since the first local authority arts office was set up in the 1980s, every county and city now has one, supporting artists and communities locally. Between 2005 and 2025, the partnership invested €2.6 billion in the arts, helping to build cultural facilities and improve access nationwide.
Read more here
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Men’s Walk & Talk – Autumn/Winter Series
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A relaxed Walk & Talk series for men is taking place across scenic locations in Carlow and Laois. This offers a chance to get outdoors, meet others, and support wellbeing.
Sessions run on Mondays at 1:00pm.
Sign up here
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Dr. Sullivan, Carlow’s heritage expert, has traveled across the county to highlight the Féile Lonrach – Festival of Glow 2025: Shop Local, Shop Carlow Competition.
Five images show the places he visited. People are invited to guess the locations for a chance to win. Two winners will be chosen at random to receive a €500 SuperValu Shopping Voucher — one for Tullow and one for Bagenalstown.
The competition encourages supporting local businesses and celebrating Carlow this festive season. It is presented by Carlow Tourism and the County Carlow Chamber.
Enter the competition here
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What is ILMI’s VOICE Project?
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The Virtual Online Inclusive Communities for Empowerment (VOICE) Project, run by Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI), supports and empowers disabled people in several counties around southern Ireland.
It brings people together through online networking, peer mentoring and life‑coaching, and offers training, resources and a platform for disabled people to connect, share experience, and influence change locally.
Read their most recent Newsletter here
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Literacy Opens Doors Series
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A reminder that the final webinar in the Literacy Opens Doors series, Adult Literacy and Learning in Recovery, will take place on Friday, 5 December, from 10:00–11:00am.
Participants are encouraged to register now to secure a place.
Register here
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Research - Menopausal Women
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Catherine, a working master’s student at Dublin City University and EduFIT, is seeking women at any stage of menopause, residing in Ireland and with sufficient English skills, to participate in a research study. The study explores women’s preferences, barriers, and opinions regarding online evidence-based lifestyle programmes for menopause, including how such programmes could be better promoted.
The study has two parts:
- Part 1: A 10–15 minute online survey (Survey Link)
- Part 2: A one-hour conversation via Zoom or in person (Sign-up)
Eligible participants may take part in one or both parts. As an incentive, survey participants will be entered into a draw to win a €100 Spas.ie voucher.
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Age Friendly Ireland, based on the WHO’s Global Age Friendly Framework, is a local government-led initiative preparing Ireland for a growing older population.
Coordinated by Meath County Council, it supports 35 local Age Friendly programmes nationwide. The service ensures older people’s voices are heard through regular consultation, influencing policy and service delivery at every level.
Website: Age Friendly Ireland
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TFI Local Link Carlow Kilkenny Wicklow is dedicated to providing essential transport services to the rural areas of Carlow, Kilkenny, and Wicklow. Our reliable and efficient services aim to connect communities and ensure transportation access for all.
Website: ckwlocallink
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Health Services Executive (HSE)
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HSE Older People’s Services – Carlow & Kilkenny.
Comprehensive clinical, therapy, day services, home support, and convalescence are available.
Contact your Public Health Nurse at your local health centre.
For nursing home listings and subsidies, call (056) 778 4633.
Hospitals:
- Carlow District Hospital: (059) 913 6300
- Sacred Heart Hospital, Carlow: (059) 913 630
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The Impact Fund 2025 is a two-year fund aimed at supporting innovative, community-led responses to some of the most significant and interrelated challenges affecting communities in Munster and Wexford.
Closing date: January 16th 2026
Full details
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Local Biodiversity Action Fun 2026
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The Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, launched the Local Biodiversity Action Fund 2026.
€3 million is being made available for local authorities for biodiversity projects under the scheme.
The closing date for applications is February 5th 2026 and successful projects will be announced later in 2026.
Full report and funding details
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Community Water Development Fund 2026
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The Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO) announces that applications are now open for the Community Water Development Fund 2026.
Local communities and groups are invited to apply for financial support to deliver projects that enhance water bodies and improve water quality and biodiversity.
Previously funded projects include:
- Restoration of riverbank buffer zones
- Flood alleviation and nature-based solutions, including rain gardens
- Removal of invasive species such as Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed
- Surveys, assessments and action plans supporting water and biodiversity
LAWPRO administers the fund on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Guidelines and Application Forms can be found here
Find out more: https://bit.ly/3M7YegS
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Consultations, Surveys & Submissions
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Development of a Professional Doctorate in Community and Voluntary Sector Management
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A group of universities - TUS in Ireland, - are working together to explore a new Professional Doctorate in Community and Voluntary Sector Management.
The programme would include taught modules and a research thesis at Professional Doctorate level. It would be designed for people working in the community and voluntary sector, allowing them to study full-time or part-time while continuing in their jobs.
They are invited to take part in a survey to help shape the programme. The aim is to create a course that offers advanced professional development for leaders and practitioners in the community and voluntary sector.
Take the Survey here or scan the QR code.
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Woodlands of Ireland - Needs your views!
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Woodlands of Ireland is asking for your views to help shape a new Native Woodland Strategy for 2026–2030. This 5-year plan will be developed with partners across the native woodland sector.
See press release for more information and use the link below to share your feedback.
The consultation closes on Friday, 16 January 2026.
Webinars will take place in February, followed by an in-person meeting in March.
Submit your feedback
Press Release
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LGBTI+ Community and Homeless Services Survey
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This survey, created by GOSHH with ILGA Europe, looks at the experiences of LGBTI+ people using homeless services and the attitudes of people working in the homeless sector in the Midwest. It is open to anyone currently working, formerly working, or working in any role with people experiencing homelessness.
Take the Survey here
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The Irish Garden Bird Survey is a nationwide project encouraging people to record the birds they see in their gardens. It helps track bird populations, monitor trends over time, and support conservation efforts across Ireland.
The Survey will run for 13 weeks from Dec 1st. They are seeking records from as many gardens across Ireland as possible.
We would appreciate your support in sharing this information widely.
Take the Survey here
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Manage Scams and Common Type of Fraud Awareness
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Stay Alert. Stay Safe. Cybercrime is Real!
Join us, Carlow PPN, for an online Fraud Awareness session with the Crime Prevention Officer from An Garda Síochána. Learn about the different types of fraud and how you can protect yourself.
Date: Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Time:1 PM
Location: Zoom
Don’t miss this chance to gain practical tips, ask questions, and stay safe online!
Queries & bookings: carlowppn@carlowcoco.ie
Tel: 087 195 1444
Book here
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PPN Stakeholder Training | Social Justice Ireland
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Carlow PPN would like to let all stakeholders about the self-paced training currently available, which may be of interest to you.
PPN Stakeholder Training
This online-only, self-paced training programme has been developed in collaboration with Social Justice Ireland and is now open for registration. The training is provided on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The programme covers the following topics:
- Introduction to the PPNs (2 Modules)
- Local Government Budget
- PPNs and Local Government
- Effective Participation in Consultations
- Effective Facilitation
- Strategic Planning
- Measuring Outcomes and Impacts
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This training is designed for self-directed learning at your own pace. While there are no scheduled classes, limited support is available via a webform on each module page.
Who Can Participate?
The training is open to the following PPN stakeholders:
- PPN Workers
- PPN Secretariat Members
- PPN Representatives
- PPN Member Groups
- Local Authority Staff
- Elected Councillors
To register, please complete the registration form at the following link:
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Arts Office Meet & Greet Morning
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Following public consultations this year, local artists and creatives expressed interest in learning more about Arts and Creativity funding for 2026 and connecting with the Arts Office team and fellow creatives.
This December, an event will be held in Carlow open to everyone interested in the arts.
See poster for details.
RSVP Kelly at kmooney@carlowcoco.ie
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Community Connect - Irelands Baby Charity
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Christmas is a time of joy for many of us, however it can be a
particularly challenging time for families in need, especially those
with small babies.
Make a big difference to a mother and baby in need this Christmas, by
sponsoring a Community Connect gift package and support local families
in Kilkenny and Carlow.
Or give your family and friends the gift of giving, and sponsor on their behalf!
Every package sponsored by 19th December comes with a beautiful
Christmas card to share with family and friends, letting them know
about the gift given in their name (or to display on your own
mantelpiece, if you prefer)
Click the link to donate
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Community Roots Programme Wins Municipal District Initiative Award
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Carlow County Council’s Community Roots Programme has won the Municipal District Initiative Award at the 2025 Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards.
Launched in 2024, the programme provides certified training, civic awareness, and community involvement for young people aged 16–18, in partnership with local youth and community organisations.
To date, 44 participants from Carlow Town, Tullow, and Bagenalstown have completed accredited courses and gained hands-on experience with local groups and elected representatives.
Congrats from the Carlow PPN Team!
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New E-Scooter Laws (Ireland – December 2025)
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The new e-scooter regulations are now in force. E-scooters are legal to use once they meet the required standards: max speed 20km/h, max power 400W, max weight 25kg, proper brakes, lights and reflectors, and a manufacturer’s compliance plate.
Riders must be 16+, use cycle lanes or roads, and must not use footpaths. Only one person is allowed per scooter, and mobile phone use while riding is banned. Non-compliant scooters remain illegal and may be seized by Gardaí.
More details
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*Please click on the posters for a fuller image...
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