Westmeath Community Development

Westmeath Traveller Project is continually engaging Travellers across Westmeath and due to the success of the project we are now providing services in various locations across the county.

Below is a copy of the programme of activities we offer on a weekly basis:-

Programme of Activities:

Grange Community Centre: Women’s Group every second Tuesday at 11 a.m.

Michaels Park:  Parent and Toddler Group Thursday morning at 11 a.m. & Women’s Group Tuesday evenings 4 p.m. Community Centre Michaels Park

Blackberry Lane: Women’s Group Thursday Mornings 10.30 a.m.  

John Curran T.D., Minister of State (with special responsibility for Community Affairs and the National Drugs Strategy) at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, has announced funding for 25 groups under the Scheme of Community Support for Older People totalling over €42,000 in funding.  Over €280,000 has been approved this year to date under the Scheme with 92 groups receiving funds.  Athlone SVP have been allocated funding of €4,705.69 under this programme in Westmeath.

Announcing the funding Minister Curran said:
"As a result of today’s allocation 125 older persons will have benefited from the Scheme.  I am confident that the equipment made available by this funding will bring safety and peace of mind to older people. The ethos of the Scheme of Community Support for Older People is centred on continued involvement with older people within our communities and I must thank local organisations in promoting and fostering community activity at local level”.  

Westmeath County Council has been allocated 350 bare rooted saplings for distribution to Community Groups, Schools and Tidy Towns. The species available are: ash, pedonculate oak, rowan, copper beech, green beech, alder and silver birch.  This year applications are being co-coordinated by Belvedere House. 

Apply by post to Belvedere House Gardens and Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

National Tree Week will take place from 7-13 March. This year the theme is ‘Twenty Ten – Plant Again’. The Tree Council of Ireland is asking people to make a renewed effort to go out and plant more trees during this week.

The aim of National Tree Week is to raise awareness about trees and encourage local communities and local authorities to participate in over 300 events which will take place around the country during the week. Events are organised all over the country which include forest walks, tree planting ceremonies, workshops, talks, competitions and even tree plantathons!  For more details log on to www.treecouncil.ie

Mullingar company Moon Shine Dairy Farm has once again been recognised as one of the finest food producers in Ireland, picking up a coveted Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Award for its Moon Shine Organic Milk.

Just five indigenous companies, including Moon Shine Dairy Farm, were recognised by the Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards 2010 this week as achieving standards of excellence that contribute to Ireland’s international reputation for fine food and produce.

Gerry and Mary Kelly from Moon Shine Dairy Farm have received support from Westmeath Community Development under the under the LEADER+ Programme when starting up their now thriving business. 

The National Spring Clean, Ireland’s largest anti-litter initiative, is urging people from Westmeath to help to revive their community spirit this spring by volunteering some time. The campaign, which runs throughout the month of April, is fully reliant on volunteers and free clean-up kits will be issued to those registering a clean-up.

The initiative plays a vital role in improving quality of life by empowering people to take responsibility for, and have pride in, their local areas. It is encouraging to have large community groups like the FAI on board. The initiative is totally reliant on people’s willingness to give their time and energy to help to make a difference in their community and the results continue to be outstanding.”