_{Members of Kilteevan Tidy Towns celebrating Cloonlarge  Joe Fox, David Gibbons, Eileen Fahey,  Mattie Murphy  and Sean Mooney.                                                Photos Gerard O Loughlin} 

At the recent celebrations of a successful year for Kilteevan Tidy Towns Chairperson Eileen Fahey outlined the success and achievements of the local group.

In her address, she highlighted the Runner Up Award in the Tidy Towns Sustainable Development category for the development of Cloonlarge Loop Walk.

The award, she stated gave the group a major boost in confidence leading them to apply for funding for further developments on the walking route. Funding was received from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht under the Pilot Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme 2018.

The funding allowed for the reopening of an old bog road, a Loop Walk Brochure was published and a sign in bearing a map and information in relation to Lough Ree Special Area of Conservation was installed. Other actions highlighting the Cloonlarge Loop included a 2019 calendar, postcards and greeting cards, designed to raise awareness about the rich and unique biodiversity in the area.

These are available in Roscommon Tourist Office and other outlets around the town.

Eileen Fahey thanked the residents of Kilteevan for their total, caring support.

She thanked Niall Cribbon in his capacity as District Conservation Officer (Peatlands) with National Parks and Wildlife Service for all his support.

Special tribute was paid to Laura Gallagher Conservation Ranger, South Roscommon NPWS who worked tirelessly to support Kilteevan Tidy Towns in 2018. Eileen stated that the work carried out could not have achieved without Laura’s support, guidance and expertise.

_{Laura Gallagher NPWS, Eileen Fahey Kilteevan Tidy Towns, Kathleen Shanagher Leas Cathaoirleach Roscommmon Co Council and Cllr Orla Leyden} 

Thanks was also extended also to all the staff of Roscommon Co Council who supported Kilteevan in so many ways in the past few years as the Cloonlarge Loop developed.

Roscommon People and Roscommon Herald were also thanked for promoting and supporting Tidy Towns events.

Finally, Eileen stated that plans were being drafted both short and long term to continue the development of the Cloonlarge Loop Walk. She extended a sincere thanks to everyone who supported the recent Coffee Morning.                                                                                                     December 2018

_{Kilteevan National School are presented with their award by Cllr. Ivan Connaughton, Chairperson Roscommon Co. Council and Éanna Ní Lamhna, biologist and environmental consultant at Áras on Chontae Roscommon December 11th. 2018}   

Congratulations  to Kilteevan National School who won 1st Prize in Co. Roscommon Schools Pollinator Competition and were awarded Best School for promoting Biodiversity. 

No doubt this is a well deserved award given the relationship that the children in Kilteevan National School have established with nature, a vitally important relationship for their future on planet earth.

Well Done we are all very proud of you. Keep your beautiful garden growing. It is a window on the world and shining example for all of us.

Kevin Fannon, Sophie Coen, Éabha Dolan, James Mooney, Kieran Coyle and Adam Lalwani officially launched the Staws Suck, #refusethestraw Campaign in Kilteevan Community Centre recently.

The launch was organised by Kilteevan Tidy Towns with the support of Rosommon Co Council, Plastic Free Roscommon, Roscommon Chamber of Commerce and the Vintners Federation of Ireland.

The outstanding support of Suzanne Dempsey, Environmental Awareness Officer, Roscommon Co. Council was acknowledged.

The group made a very strong case for refusing the straw stating that plastic straws last for 200 years. They told us single use plastic straws are a perfect example of a wasteful, highly environmentally damaging, day-to-day product that wreaks havoc in rivers, streams, bog pools and oceans while serving no useful purpose.

Over the next few weeks the group will be visiting bars, restaurants and cafes in Roscommon will be asking service providers for support for their campaign.

They are also asking people in Co. Roscommon to sign a pledge promising to say “no thank you to the plastic straw”.

Kathleen Shanagher, Vice Chairperson of Roscommon Co Council complimented Kilteevan Tidy Towns for launching the campaign and congratulated the young people for their leadership in relation to the initiative.

A BIG THANK YOU to Adam, Kevin, Sophie, Éabha, James and Kieran for leading the way towards creating Plastic Free Roscommon. See Roscommon People and Roscommon Herald for a full report and more photos.

Pictured at the launch of Straws Suck campaign in Kilteevan Community Centre,left, front: Elizabeth Stobie Plastic Free Roscommon, Éabha Dolan, Adam Lalwani, Eileen Fahey, Chairperson, Kilteevan Tidy Towns and Sophie Coen.

Back: Kieran Coyle, Cllr. Kathleen Shanagher, Leas Cathaoirleach, Roscommon Co Council;

James Mooney, Cllr. Orla Leyden and Kevin Fannon.

Photo Gerard O Loughlin .

Please note there will be a Community Alert Meeting in Kilteevan Community Centre on Thursday December 13th at 8.pm. Looking forward to meeting everyone there.