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A TOWN IN Leitrim is calling for people who are sick of the hustle and bustle of city life to come and live with them.
The school in Kiltyclogher, population 233, has just 14 pupils registered for the coming school year, meaning that it would have to close unless another family with a child moves to the area.
To try to save the two-teacher school, the locals have banded together to try to attract people to come and live in the town, which sits close to the Fermanagh border.
The KiltyLive campaign is aiming to attract people from cities to the town, which one local calls a “special, beautiful place”.
“We as a community have decided to take the initiative and campaign to secure our village school, not just for our generation but for future generations to come,” says photographer Joseph Sheerin who lives in the town.
“We are hoping to inspire all struggling villages with small schools not to give up”.
Natasha Pearson, a spokesperson for KiltyLive, says that the campaign is focused around keeping the school open and showing off the town.
“It’s an amazing school that has six green flags. As a teacher myself, I know that getting one of those is hard.
“We only need one or two families to keep the school open.”
Beyond the quality of the school, the town is being talked up by those wishing to sell it to potential settlers.
“We’ve a lovely village, we’re close to lakes, we have beautiful walks, beautiful mountains, we’re family friendly, pet friendly… It’s just an amazing place,” says Natasha.
“We’re looking for young families who want a safe place to raise children and pick up some Irish traditions.”
Natasha says that the campaign is going down well so far.
“We’re getting a fantastic response. We have houses that are done up and available. Rent allowance is considered and accepted.
“It suits people who might be tired of the hustle and bustle.
“We’re all very close-knit. It’s a very special, beautiful place.”
The town is offering young families with primary school-aged children a free overnight stay in the holiday centre in Kiltyclogher so they can visit and see what they think about relocating.
Resettling
One person who resettled in “Kilty” is Ciaran Rock. Originally from Ballymun in Dublin, he and his wife and two children moved to the town as part of the Rural Resettlement plan in the late 90s.
He told Shannonside FM that three other families have resettled in the town and become part of the community and said that rural resettlement officers were necessary across the country.
“We would suggest that all townlands and villages get onto their councils to have a resettlement officer working even half a week.
“We’re so remote that these are vital services.”
Sinn Féin councillor for Manorhamilton Padraig Fallon (SF) said that the “time had come to grasp the nettle” and begin to resettle people to rural communities.
Was through Kiltyclogher last week and a beutiful part of the country it is close to Sligo and the Wild Atlantic Way. But like so many other villages in the border areas of Leitrim and West Cavan suffers from an ageing population and fewer job opportunities. Hard to imagine families moving into these places until there is a genuine chance of employment or plan to encourage tourism. Councils unfortunately don’t create jobs, but could help the situation in disadvantaged areas by lowering business rates.
There’s a great drama festival there every year and you get a sense of what a great community Kilty is from the way your welcomed and treated there. Many a great night we had there with Bailieborough Drama group. Good luck with your initiative.
Kiltyclogher is a beautiful place to live and work. A safe, tranquil village where everybody knows your name
@Maura Weir: Cheers aka Ted Danson
@Maura Weir: what work is available there?, are there any factories or industry there? The IDA are not looking at rural villages as they should, local politicians need to pressurise the Government to do more for rural Ireland. I would love to see those small remote villages getting a boost, but that is way down the pecking order for the overpaid public Reps. , and especially those people in IDA and the likes who should be pressing thee case every day for the disadvantaged areas.
@Eugene Comaskey: hi Eugene! I’m at start up stage with a new business based here. I will be going into manufacturing in 2018 and have had amazing support from LEO and LEADER and now ENTERPRISE IRELAND. As for existing factories there are three thriving factories a few mins seat in manorhamilton – where they enjoy some of the highest employment rates in the country. Where there’s a will (and a bloody watertight business idea) there’s a way :) the world is what you make it!
Eugene Comaskey: hi Eugene! I’m at start up stage with a new business based here. I will be going into manufacturing in 2018 and have had amazing support from LEO and LEADER and now ENTERPRISE IRELAND. As for existing factories there are three thriving factories a few mins away in manorhamilton – where they enjoy some of the highest employment rates in the country. Where there’s a will (and a bloody watertight business idea) there’s a way :) the world is what you make it!
@Carol McGowan: That’s a great story , hopefully a few more families that can be assured of employment will re-locate there. I’m all for the local areas, just that I believe that elected Reps. do not do enough to highlight their areas, and that is no reflection on Leitrim Reps, I’m looking country wide here. They should all be fighting for their areas, unfortunately I think most of them are only in for what THEY can get for themselves.
@Eugene Comaskey: I’ve learned if a business idea is strong enough coupled with a passionate driving force behind it… people can’t help but notice. I totally see your point: and I had to deal with these type of agencies first hand. But LEADER (based here in leitrim) were exceptional – and the new frontiers programme from Enterprise Ireland is an excellent business incubation programme . It sounds like you are truly passionate – I respect that. And if you yourself are a start up – in a heartbeat I’d recommend the agencies I worked with. Who knows…. with a bit of luck I’ll employ others along the way.
@Eugene Comaskey:
Hi
There are factories in Manorhamilton and loads of work in Sligo. People commute all the time all over the country to work and they do it for over an hour just to get ten miles in the cities!
yes broadband is fast. we have a 6 green flag school with children from different backgrounds. Of course the roads are paved! People here have a great community spirit and open mentality. LIDL is not too far away in Enniskillen and Sligo and Supervalu is in Manorhamilton 9 miles away
@Maura Weir: What about jobs!!!???
@Maura Weir: I have never heard of people from the south going to Enniskillen for shopping at Lidl, it is usually Asda and M&S they flock too.
@Harry Corry:
thanks for your interest. see comments about employment. There are hard working people up here in Leitrim that don’t mind a commute.
@mickmc: I’m a new resident in kilty. I spoke with newstalk yesterday and I had a really positive story to tell. Yet sadly newstalk wanted to dwell on the negative. I couldn’t afford Dublin any more and leitrim has some of the most affordable rent in the country. I’m a single woman and since moving here – have started my own business as a designer. (No prob with broadband) and there is a digital hub ten mins away with 100mb broadband and hot desks. I managed to get on an enterprise Ireland paid scholarship at Sligo IT and I would never have even SNIFFED these opportunities if I was still paying extortionate rent in the liberties. (I could barely afford to live and was finding week to week desperately hard financially.) In the 1970s this town was thriving… hundreds of kids in the local school,and sadly the troubles were on the doorstep. It’s the home of sean mac diarmada – steeped in history and and scenery is staggeringly beautiful. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea… but I find it so peaceful safe and beautiful. (Not to mention anyone who loves music – it seems to attract some amazing talent) I spent every summer in leitrim as a child on holidays from Dublin. They are some of the fondest memories of my life. It’s worth considering for those who want a peaceful gentle pace of life.
@Carol McGowan: Not far from Kilty, in Rossinver, is the Leitrim Organic Centre. You can spend half a day walking around with the children seeing how to grow fruit trees and how to use polytunnels to grow anything legal and moral. Beleek pottery museum in nearby Fermanagh is a must visit.
@Garreth Byrne: you should see what the kids in the local school have… community garden etc., it’s wonderful
With the recent closure of the rural resettlement scheme we have initiated this media campaign to show all the advantages our village has to offer, clean air, beautiful scenery, little or no crime rate and a community where you are more than just a number and children can walk to school in safety.
I have just done a speed check and it reads 23.5 mbps download speed 13 Ting and 6upload.
@Maura Weir: what about tinder? Would there be any chance of a match outside of your own sister?
@Hello there friend: or a sheep?
@Maura Weir: Where would all these people work Maura ??
@Harry Corry: I just moved here – and it worked out well for me. I’m self employed and there are start up grants supported by youcross border funding. Manorhamilton has three factories and the start up community in the north west is a thriving one. (Good article about it in the business post yesterday)
@Harry Corry: You’re only a stones throw from Sligo Cavan and Eniskillen There is always Agricultural work as well. We moved to Leitrim 20 years ago and wouldn’t go back east for love nor money.
@Maura Weir: All of which speaks well for Kiltyclogher including the school with its green flags, but why doesn’t the comunity partake on the tidy towns competition.
@Hello there friend:
Thanks so much for comment. Its such a pity that you are so ill informed about our beautiful county and great people.
@Chris Kirk:
WE did tidy towns for years Chris. Its such a great competition.
What about all the family’s in The Direct Provision Centers they would love a new start and what nicer place than Lovely Leitrm
@pat seery: The weather sucks, though.
Come outta that lads, we love the hussle and bussle then complaining about it
There’s not much employment for people but there are many people unemployed in this country! Is it not better to be unemployed with less hustle and Bustle less expensive housing and rents. Towns and villages in Ireland could do with new people to inject new ideas, help with elderly and keep schools open! If I was facing an unsure future I would upsticks and move, what’s there to loose!
Good luck to Kilty. North Leitrim also has cultural attractions – traditional music, dancing lessons in Manorhamilton, the Leitrim Sculpture Centre, the North Glens Cultural Centre, pop-up Gaeltachts in pubs. It’s a paradise for bikers, walkers and nature enthusiasts. A bit rainy sometimes – umbrellas and gumboots are recommended.
Threes a school just of the coast of Orkney who’s last pupil has just left, so if any parent wants a pupil teacher ratio of 1 to 1 pack your bags !
Is the broadband fast there? Are there educatetogether schools? Are the roads paved and not full of potholes? Are the locals welcoming and accepting of “outsiders” or are they NFATR mentality?
@Grumpy Bollovks: broad what?
@Grumpy Bollovks: Leitrim’s roads are, by far, the best in Ireland. Combination of very diligent Council workers, small population and BMW funding. Sligo’s roads, by comparison, are in bits. I dunno about the schools.
@Grumpy Bollovks: I’m an outsider… I haven’t been hung drawn and quartered yet … however I have become accustomed to lots of seriously home made apple tart and copious amounts of Barry’s tea… while streaming “nationwide” seamlessly on my broadband ;)
What about the offshore Islands? dwindling population, schools with only a few kids inside but no effort being made to get people over
How is it for broadband?
@Frank Butler: very good
@Frank Butler: and for those who need hot desks / office space / 100mb there is a digital hub 10 mins away.
Moved to Leitrim more than 20 years ago, and wild horses wouldn’t drag me back to city life. Of course there are challenges, no place is perfect and it wouldn’t suit everyone. Public transport is a key issue but people are working on link buses which I think are up and running now, not sure as I drive. Also employment can be difficult to find, as this area has been abandoned by the powers that be for years. Nonetheless, if you want a safe, incredibly beautiful, clean and healthy environment in which to raise children, as well as having access to the arts and much encouragement to develop creatively, and a community ready to welcome you in Kilty, then I couldn’t recommend this project highly enough.
@Noirin Kavanagh: honestly,wild horses wouldn’t drag me there
@billy Dorney: then Billy, you can strike it off your ‘places to see before I die’ list! But you’re missing out………
@Noirin Kavanagh: sorry,not meant to be bullish,I meant to live full time, wouldn’t swop cork for anything,was away 20 plus years,homebird now
Does it have a Lidl? Very important! If it’s SuperValu, it’s a deal breaker.
No work,no life
@billy Dorney: you could work for leo on the 188 club
@Stiofán De Priondárgas: smile,by not in Leitrim
Up here you have to get of your arse and start your own business generally as waiting for a job to come your way will be a very long wait. There are people in Leitrim working for people all over the world.
@Patrick J. O’Rourke: good man Patrick
@billy Dorney: always self employment for those brave enough!
Rents and home prices are probably a plus, as is raising children outside of a city environment. I do wonder about availability of rail, would imagine it’s a bus link to a larger locale. I can’t help, however, no little ones.
*you’re
@Gerry Sheanon: pack you’re bags??..as in pack you are bags??..it’s your bags!!
@evelyn mc carthy: I’m also embarrassed for the 6 plonkers that gave Gerry a thumbs up on that one.
@Gary: maybe he’s referring to his own mistake, ‘your welcomed’.
Heard a report on Newstalk about it yesterday. The way the natives were talking it wouldn’t exactly inspire me to move there. They might want to rethink their sale strategy. Talk up the positive side of the village rather than focusing on the negative.
@mickmc: we did… I was interviewed about the town yesterday by newstalk and I had a really positive story to tell: the editing of the interviews were SHOCKINGLY lop sided. None of the positives were included which was a collective punch in the stomach. But … we know the polsitives of what this beautiful town had to offer.
Such a lovely city .
Near the Wild Atlantic Way
Great surfing in Bundoran
Lots of Golf courses & links
Near Carrick on Snn & cruisers
Ballroom of Romance
Rich in heritage
My ancestral
I’m packing my bags and heading for Lovely Leitrim….
@eastsmer #IRExit: and don’t forget ffs kids! : )
Maura Weir it’s great to hear your passion for Kiltyclogher ,I am sure your efforts will attract people who would enjoy the challenges of life on the frontier.
@Maura Weir: not doing your campaign any good when you are continuously avoiding the question regarding employment
@Ed Quigley: hi ed. I’m self employed – I started the business since I moved here. Manorhamilton (a neighbouring town) has one of the highest rates of employment in the country due to several factories there. There is a state of the art digital hub about 10 mins away with hot desks and business start ups have the benifit of financial supports from cross border funding. Maura was prob too busy working to reply. : )
Where there’s a will… there’s a way
Great little town, lived there in the 1960′s, hope the school survives.
A very charming story. I have to say, unless they build an airport and a starbucks I think I’d pass on it, for now anyway.
@Darren Bates: knock airport … cutest and hassle free airport in Ireland – as for Starbucks… I’d be happier if they paid their staff their tips
People move for family and jobs, And i don’t see a single tech job in Leitrim on any job sites? Only a few jobs listed at all?
@Trevor Donoghue: you’re welcome and don’t forget the kids ;)
@Trevor Donoghue: neighbouring Sligo has a thriving tech startup scene / and a huge start up community. Check out Sligo start ups on Facebook.
Hi People of Kiltyclogher.I was at a festival there about 10 years ago and this man sung a song about the ‘Dowra’affair about collusion with the RUC and the State and the ‘ doc’ Doherty was in the middle of it (RIP) ….I’d love to hear it again!
I’d love to rent out Sean Mc Dermott’s house for a year I want to draw inspiration from him to kick out the corporate clientele who are impoverishing the Irish people with the aid of the blue shirts in Gov along with the FF hacks. I’m a farmer but I could continue with that as well.
Anyone offers wellcome!
@Ian Hester: follow Mick Blake – a local man who writes songs that hit the nail on the head. (Christy Moore has covered one) I suggest you give him a listen, I think you’ll like him,
@Darren Bates: not to worry Darren, with that sort of criteria you’re exactly NOT what leitriim needs right now
I’ve lived up that way and loved it but sadly a local politician driving too fast ended that for me by running over my dog. The locals were lovely and someone gave me another dog but y know it wasn’t the same.
there only seems to be 2 houses for sale in this area according to daft and myhome??
Fack off
@Ollie Watson: which reminds me – the locals told the powers that wanted to be to “frack off” :)
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