Irish spotlight
To mark the LGMA’s Your Council Day on June 23, we’re highlighting the services Irish local government provide for people and communities with some of our past content. In keeping with the theme of Your Council Day, we’ll be showcasing the range of work taking place across Irish local authorities, including the services not always associated with councils, such as arts and heritage, urban and village renewal, and tourism.
A strategic partnership between the Gaelic Athletic Association and local government – The GAA Green Club Programme
Translating the urgency for climate action into local communities is not always straightforward. This article by Kildare County Council’s Director of Service, Alan Dunney, highlights how a partnership between Irish local authorities and Ireland’s largest sporting organisation has been driving forward a programme of climate action activities across every town and village in Ireland.
Digitising Local Government- Build to Share in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council
Recognition is growing for the potential of new digital systems to transform local governments public service delivery. This short article from Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council details the Build to Share approach in designing new digital local government systems.
Analysis of the National Climate Action Plan 2023: Changing the public sector landscape
This two part briefing provides an analysis of the National Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP 23) and highlight implications for the wider public sector.
Part one sets the context and includes an analysis of sectoral targets and other requirements for carbon budgets, governance, monitoring and measurement, electricity, circular economy and the waste sector, and the built environment.
Analysis of the National Climate Action Plan 2023: Issues and challenges for the local government sector
This two part briefing provides an analysis of the National Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP 23) and highlight implications for the wider public sector.
Part two continues with the sectoral analysis in respect of land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF), just transition, transportation, agriculture, and adaptation. It concludes with a discussion on a number of identified issues and challenges for the local government sector.
Coastal and Heritage Conservation Clare County Council
County Clare has a rich and diverse heritage. From the renowned Burren in North Clare to the beach at Fanore, Clare County Council is responsible for one of the most distinctive landscape regions in Ireland and arguably one of the best-preserved agricultural landscapes in Europe. This free blog examines Clare County Council’s work to conserve its coast and heritage.
Sharing lessons from Ireland and Spain on actions to tackle child poverty
This member only briefing explains the fundamentals of the EU Child Guarantee, compares the national plans from Ireland and Spain, and suggests some areas of action for local authorities everywhere to address child poverty.
Local Government in Ireland: Not as badly off as I thought it was….
LGIU’s Commissioning Editor for Ireland Dr. Seán Ó Riordáin reflects on the recently published research on finance and funding in England and Irish local government’s ability to fund placemaking and he wonders if the grass is not so green.
See Her Elected and the campaign for equality in 2024 local elections and beyond
As part of LGIU’s coverage for International Women’s Day, Dr Michelle Maher, Programme Manager of See Her Elected, discusses how they are working to increase women’s participation in local government, especially ahead of the 2024 local elections.
Winners of the Chambers Ireland 2022 Excellence in Local Government Awards
In its 20th year of running, the 2023 Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government (ELG) Awards celebrates and showcases best practice in local government and recognises the skills, hard work, innovation and enthusiasm within local government that can often go unrecognised!
While the 2023 applications for the ELG awards are now closed make sure you check-out the 2022 winners in this LGIU Ireland summary here, and make sure to read about the winning local government projects below!
Clare County Council: Local Authority of the Year 2022
Clare County Council was named Local Authority of the Year at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards in November 2022, held in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
This briefing showcases how Clare County Council – Ireland’s recently awarded Local Authority of the Year – delivers for its communities and enables its stakeholders and communities to ensure the county continues to develop as a place to live, work and visit.
Clew Bay Bike Trail – Building momentum in Mayo
First in our series of articles exploring the winners at Chambers Ireland 2022 Excellence in Local Government Awards, we hear from Mayo County Council on how the Clew Bike trail won the Supporting Tourism Award.
Local Government Festival of the Year – Ennis MELA
Next up in our series of articles showcasing the latest local government innovation from the Chambers Ireland 2022 Excellence in Local Government Awards, Clare County Council tells us about the success of Ennis MELA.
Carlow’s Ru:rban Project
From our series of articles showcasing the latest local government innovation from the Chambers Ireland 2022 Excellence in Local Government Awards, we hear about Carlow County Council’s award-winning Ru:rban project.
Thinks Big Space! Library innovation in South Dublin County Council
Next up in our series of articles showcasing the latest local government innovation from the Chambers Ireland 2022 Excellence in Local Government Awards, South Dublin County Council tells us about Think Big Space in South Dublin Libraries.
Click here to read this article.
Ireland’s first outdoor learn to cycle track – an award winning health and wellbeing project in Waterford City and County Council
In this article, showcasing the latest local government innovation from the Chambers Ireland 2022 Excellence in Local Government Awards, we hear about Ireland’s first outdoor learn to cycle track from Waterford City and County Council.
Leadership in Irish local government series
As part of LGIU Ireland’s 2023 series on local government leadership, we spoke to several council chief executives and senior figures in the Irish local government sector on the challenges and opportunities facing their council and the sector as a whole.
In Conversation with Joan Martin, Chief Executive of Louth County Council
Midway between Ireland’s two largest cities of Dublin and Belfast, Louth County Council operates with an expenditure of €158.4 million and is responsible for a population of 128,884 (2016). We spoke with Joan Martin, Chief Executive of Louth County Council to find out more about the challenges and opportunities facing Louth.
In conversation with Dr Pat Daly, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council
As part of LGIU’s series on local government leadership, Dr Pat Daly, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council discusses how Limerick is navigating the challenges and opportunities of local government in 2023.
In conversation with Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive of Meath County Council
Next up in our series of interviews with local government leaders, LGIU’s Thomas Lynch spoke with Meath County Council’s Chief Executive, Jackie Maguire, before her retirement to find out more about the council’s big priorities and what they’re striving to achieve this year.
In Conversation with Wayne Stanley of the Simon Communities Ireland
Following the 2022 Simon Week on September 26th, LGIU’s Thomas Lynch is In Conversation With Wayne Stanley, Head of Policy and Communication for Simon Communities Ireland.
In Conversation with Niall Cussen, Chief Executive of the Office of the Planning Regulator
Continuing with LGIU Ireland’s local government leadership series, Thomas spoke with the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR), Niall Cussen, to find out more about the operation of Ireland’s planning system.
