HAVE YOU NOTICED?
We will tell you why we chose this tree tomorrow
Our own ever vigilant Tidy Towns Citizen Scientist – is thrilled to report that the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly was recorded on the Cloonlarge Loop today(7 June 2022) The record was submitted to National Biodiversity Data Centre.
This butterfly is legally protected under Annex II of the European Union Habitats and Species Directive. According to the Red List of Irish Butterflies published by National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2010, the Marsh Fritillary is categorised as ‘Vulnerable’, which means it is considered at risk of extinction.
It is vitally important that we continue our good work protecting this habitat.
Our team for 2021- September 2022 is as follows.
The Roscommon People has surprised us with this video flashback to our recent launch of our Gulliver sculpture
A big thank you to Roscommon People from all of us.A new sculpture Gulliver for Lilliput Way unveiled recently in Kilteevan by guest of honour, Cllr Joe Murphy, Cathaoirleach, Roscommon Co Council. The project, an initiative of Kilteevan Tidy Towns was funded by Roscommon Co. Council Creative Ireland Programme 2021.
The event was attended by the Tidy Towns Committee, staff and pupils of Kilteevan National School/ Junior Tidy Towns, Roscommon Co Councillors, staff of Roscommon Co Council, the Community Wetlands Forum, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and residents/landowners of the Cloonlarge Loop.
The project was inspired by an old turf cutting machine found on the bog which was called a Lilliput. In honour of ther machine the road was called Lilliput Way.
The word Lilliput stirred up a lot of memories for Kilteevan Tidy Towns committee. The novel Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathon Swift was came to mind. In the book Gulliver went to a land called Lilliput. All the people there were tiny just 6 inches tall. Gulliver was a giant in Lilliput.
Kilteevan had a Fairy Trail and a Lilliput, so the committee began to wonder if they could bring Gulliver to live on Lilliput Way and in doing so honour Jonathon Swift also. Swift’s contribution to support mental health is a legacy which still lives on in St Patrick’s Hospital Dublin. All Kilteevan Tidy Towns work on the Cloonlarge Loop is about physical and mental wellbeing in a healthy environment.
Following a successful application for funding under the Creative Ireland Programme Kilteevan Tidy Towns commissioned Mark Feely to sculpt a friendly Giant's Head for Lilliput Way on the Cloonlarge Loop.
During initial consultations with Mark he felt that it was very important that the sculpture would be tangible for children so Gulliver’s hand was created also. As the project evolved and Mark took the environment of the location on board he suggested that Gulliver should be connected to nature and Bbodiversity so a butterfly was crafted to poise on Gulliver’s fingertip. The stone for Gulliver’s head came from Lecarrow Quarry and weighed 18 ton. When the head was complete Gulliver weighed 13 ton. The stone for the hand weighed 5 ton.
Eileen Fahey stated that she wanted it put on record that Mark Feeley had donated endless voluntary hours in this project … simply because Mark wanted to do the best possible job. The fact that it was for Roscommon meant so much to him..
Eileen praised Mark’s vision, creativity, craftsmanship, skill, intelligence, patience, commitment, attention detail, respect for heritage and his enthusiasm for his work.
Eileen thanked
Neal Geraghty, Majella Hunt, Rhona Mc Grath and Áine Butler and Ruairí Ó hAodha Roscommon Co Council.
Laura Gallagher, Conservation Ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service
The Residents/landowners of the Cloonlarge/ Annaghmore townlands
Fiona Dunne FD Design, Pat Hoey Roscommon Signs, & Padraig Cuddy Class Grass
Speaking at the event Mark Feely said that the running joke going around at the moment is Kilteevan Tidy Towns have a very big head !
He said he thought everyone would agree that the driving force behind this project was Eileen Fahey. He thanked her for her good humour and enthusiasm which made it a pleasure to work on this sculpture.
Mark extended his sincere thanks to his neighbour Noel Beatty in particular. Mark stated that Winston Churchill once said if you’re going through hell keep walking and an equally wise Roscommon man Noel Beatty said, “if you’re going through the bog keep moving because if you don’t you will sink”. Well I did sink but thankfully Noel got me out. Noel, without your brilliant engineering brain, I don’t think Gulliver would have made it here today."
Mark also extended his thanks to
His own team of lads, Augusto, Eike, Thomas and Jack.
Mike Kelly stone who organised a lot of work behind the scenes for him.
The great concrete man David Malone and Ollie Kelly for lots of gravel and hoists and some sage advice when it was needed.
Kenny Doyle (Sean Doyle & Sons) for all the help.
Tom Cummins from Anchor lifting services. You could say he gave us a great lift when Gulliver was down.
His wife Mary who had to put up with him through all the trials and tribulations of carving Gulliver.
Mark finished up by saying, "I made many friends on this job. The lads from Kilteevan helped us tidy up and put a great finish on things. It is said that good company shortens a long journey and good help make a hard job a lot easier and both were given here. One thing I have learned from this experience is you can’t do it all on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help. This is equally true in life as in work and what I have found is, so many people want to help if help is needed”
Cllr. Joe Murphy Cathaoirleach Roscommon Co Council congratulated Mark on his excellent sculpture. He was very proud of the fact that this wonderful sculpture was now part of Irelands Hidden Heartlands. He praised Kilteevan Tidy Towns for all their dedication and hard work in developing the area . He referred to the importance of community groups. He referred to the importance of projects related to our physical and mental health.
To finish off the event Eileen stated that there was one final formailty - Who would be the first to sit in Gullivers hand ? The fairies and Gulliver had a meeting the night before and left a name in a magical box. The box was opened and inside was the name Adam Neilan. When 7 year -year-old Adam recovered from the shock he came forward to receive the honour of being the first child to sit in Gulliver’s hand following the unveiling.
Everyone then got a opportunity to marvel at Mark Feeley's unbelieveable creation.
Kilteevan National School / Junior Tidy Towns celebrated National Biodiversity Week
with Michael Bell of Nature Learn visiting the school.
Moth Attractors were set the night before the event and the day started by looking at moths that had nestled inside the box overnight.
The Poplar Hawk Moth was a big hit. Some moths rested happily in hands. All moths were then released. The pupils learned that we have around 1,500 species of moths in Ireland.
.An exciting, interesting nature filled day . Everyone enjoyed the day thoroughly.
In appreciation for the day, Michael Bell was presented with a beautiful hand carved and hand painted disc bearing a Moth on one side and a Dragonfly on the other.
Eileen Fahey was presented with three beautiful hand painted stones as a thank you for organising the event with the school.
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“We seldom get an opportunity to make a unique contribution to the world and I think Gulliver for Lilliput Way, through The Creative Ireland Programme and Roscommon Co Council was one such opportunity, for Mark Feeley” Eileen Fahey
There was major excitement on the Cloonlarge Loop today. Gulliver came to Lilliput Way.
The sculpture was unveiled by guest of honour Cllr Joe Murphy Cathaoirleach Roscommon Co Council. Marks Feeley’s unbelievable work has left all of us awe struck. Just look at the photos
The project was inspired by an old turf cutting machine found on the bog which was called a Lilliput. In the book Gulliver’s Travels, Gulliver went to a land called Lilliput. All the people there were tiny just 6 inches tall. Gulliver was a giant in Lilliput.
We had a Lilliput, we had the little people (the fairies) we had a Wizard and Queen Luna so we decided to try to bring Gulliver to live on Lilliput Way too.
Through the Creative Ireland Programme 2021, Kilteevan Tidy Towns commissioned local sculptor Mark Feeley to create Gulliver a giant’s head and hand. The stone for Gulliver’s head came from Lecarrow Quarry and weighed 18 ton. When the head was complete Gulliver weighed 13 ton. The stone for the hand weighs 5 tons.
Gulliver also stands as A Giant reminder of the importance of Biodiversity as he holds a butterfly on his fingertip.
The event was attended by the Tidy Towns Committee, staff and pupils of Kilteevan National School/ Junior Tidy Towns, Roscommon Co Councillors, staff of Roscommon Co Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Residents of the Cloonlarge Loop .
Pupils, from the school Cillian and Cristo read a poem Queen Luna’s Plea which the pupils composed. In co-operation with Roscommon library the pupils recorded an extract from Gullivers Travels which the library posted on their social media to coincide with the unveiling of the sculpture.
Kilteevan Tidy Towns celebrated National Biodiversity Week today by hosting an event for the community -Walk and Talk with Michael Bell of Nature Learn. Michael’s daughter Molly accompanied us and kindly shared her knowledge also.
Michael set two Moth Attractors on the Loop last night. As we walked the Loop, birds, butterflies, bee’s wildflowers and trees were noted. When the Moth traps were opened we got the opportunity to see and touch some amazing creatures that co-exist with us.
WOW! What a surprise. There were flying beetles in there too. As most of our moths are hiding away during the day so we rarely get to see them. Moths are important pollinators too.
All records are submitted to the National Biodiversity Data Centre and all moths were released. We have shared just a few photos and have labelled three photos for you.
What lovely relaxing morning in the Great Outdoors! Thank you Nature Learn for a wonderful experience. We look forward to further learning later this Summer when we can develop our own expertise further in identifying and recording species.
Kilteevan Tidy Towns would like to acknowledge the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in hosting this event.
KILTEEVAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GROUP LIMITED
Kilteevan, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon
[email protected]
KILTEEVAN TIDY TOWNS
[email protected]
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/index_en.htm
http://www.environ.ie/en/Community/RuralDevelopment/EURuralDevelopment/
This project received grant aid from Roscommon LEADER Partnership Rural Development Programme which is financed by the Irish Government under the Rural Development Programme Ireland 2007-2013 and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in Rural Areas.
