A memorable year in the North Mayo Gaeltacht 

Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo is a community development co-operative (comharchumann) based in the Seanscoil in Ceathrú Thaidhg in the north Mayo Gaeltacht. Its mission is to work in a proactive way to promote the linguistic/cultural, infrastructural, educational and social development of the parish of Cill Chomáin. Working in conjunction with local development groups and state agencies, numerous projects have been undertaken for the benefit of the community.

The promotion of the Irish language in every aspect of community life is one of the main objectives of Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo. Irish language courses and Irish translation services are organised in Ionad Seirbhísí Teanga na Seanscoile (Language Centre) in Ceathrú Thaidhg where a library of learning resource materials is available. There is ongoing cooperation with Coiste Gaeilge Iorrais (the lead language planning organisation in the North Mayo Gaeltacht region) to implement the Irish language plan, and during the year guided walks were organised with Uinsíonn Mac Graith, a presentation on the place-names of Dún Chaocháin was given at Oireachtas na Samhna in Belfast, as well as various events as part of the international festival Seachtain na Gaeilge.

Naíonra Dhún Chaocháin in Ceathrú Thaidhg and Naíonra Ghleann na Muaidhe in Glenamoy play a central role in providing Irish-medium preschool services for children and parents in the area. These childcare projects receive funding from the National Childcare Investment Programme, which is administered by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Tusla (the Child and Family Agency), Mayo County Childcare Committee, and Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta Teo provide ongoing support and guidance. There are seven people currently employed in this sector, and the services have gone from strength to strength over the years.

At the end of June, summer camps were organised for children aged three to six years in Ceathrú Thaidhg and Gleann na Muaidhe in partnership with Muintearas Teo, under Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh d’Aos Óg na Gaeltachta, which is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The aim of the camps is to encourage children to speak Irish in an enjoyable environment through activities such as arts, crafts, singing, and a variety of games. Art classes for primary school children were also organised in the Seanscoil during the year, in co-operation with Gaeilge Iorrais, under the guidance of Máire Ní Fhalliún.

The Ceathrú Thaidhg loop walks (Lúb Chlann Lir, Lúb an Chlaí Dhuibh and Lúb na Binne Buí) continue to attract visitors to the area with a notable increase in visitor numbers in recent years. Starting and finishing at the Seanscoil community centre, each loop is waymarked and colour-coded according to its level of difficulty. A bi-lingual information board and brochure provide details on trail directions and points of interest en route. These walks are maintained by participants on the Rural Social Scheme with the support of the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Community Trail Management Organisation scheme, Sport Ireland and Mayo County Council.

A dedicated website has been designed under the project Na Comhluadair Bheo (www.gaeltacht.info), the aim of which is to raise the profile of the area as a tourist destination, where a range of holiday packages is available to cater for visiting groups.

In July, in the beautiful setting of Enniscoe House, Minister Dara Calleary officially launched the 'Táin Bó Fliodhaise – Cattle Raid of Mayo' Heritage Trail and Guidebook. Táin Bó Fliodhaise is a prequel to the famous epic Táin Bó Cuailnge and is deeply rooted in the Iorras area in the north-west of the county. It describes the route taken by Queen Maeve’s army, travelling from Rathcroghan in County Roscommon into Mayo on a cattle-raiding expedition as far as Ráth Morgain near Gleann a’ Chaisil in Iorras. Fourteen information signs have been erected at specific locations along the route, beginning at Cruachán Ai in Tulsk, Roscommon, and continuing through Béal Átha hAmhnais, Achadh Mór, Bó Fhionnáin, Leath-ardán, Inis Chua, Béal an Átha, Maigh Ghamhna, Gleann Chalraidhe, Béal an Átha Buí, Droichead Muinchinn, Ráth Morgain, Gleann a’ Chaisil, Barr na Trá, and Ceathrú Thaidhg. A map in the guidebook shows the locations of the signs and provides a detailed account of the story itself.

At the Gradaim na Gaeltachta 2025 Awards ceremony, organised by Údarás na Gaeltachta at the Conamara Coast Hotel on November 27th, chief executive Tomás Ó Síocháin and chairperson Siobhán Ní Ghadhra recognised a wide range of projects that contribute to the economic, social and cultural vitality of Gaeltacht areas. Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo achieved second place in the Tourism Project category in recognition of the development of the Táin Bó Fliodhaise – Cattle Raid of Mayo Heritage Trail.

A special and memorable Éigse (cultural gathering) was held at the Erris Coast Hotel, Gaoth Sáile, in May in honour of Caitlín and Micheál Ó Seighin, in recognition of the achievements of these dedicated community activists who have worked for many years to preserve and promote the Irish language in the Dún Chaocháin area of Iorras. The Éigse showcased the area’s song, music, folklore, heritage and culture under the guidance of bean a’ tí, Áine Ní Chiaráin, with Dr Séamus Mac Conghamhna as guest speaker. The event was organised by Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo, in collaboration with Gaeilge Iorrais and others, with support from Conradh na Gaeilge through the Ciste Spreagtha Fund. 

The co-operative’s environmental work plan, including litter management and awareness, is being implemented by the Cill Chomáin Rural Social Scheme under the auspices of Údarás na Gaeltachta. Trá na Rinne Rua and Trá Phort a’ Chlóidh were awarded the Green Coast Award. Litter is collected from these beaches on a regular basis and it was a great honour for Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo, in partnership with Ceathrú Thaidhg National School and Circus250, to win a national award in the Event of the Year category in the Clean Coasts campaign. The award was presented at a special ceremony organised by An Taisce in Dublin in November 2024. In April 2025, Olivia Jones from An Taisce, along with Circus250, revisited Trá na Rinne Rua for a special celebratory event and a Clean Coasts Roadshow, which included circus fun with local schoolchildren. Olivia acknowledged the community’s efforts to promote and protect this beautiful coastline.

Meetings were organised with representatives of Mayo County Council regarding the extension of Teampall Chill Ghallagáin graveyard, as there is no longer sufficient space available for burials. The co-operative is working in collaboration with Mayo County Council, representatives of the local community, and the landowner, and significant progress was made on the project during the year.

The Ceathrú Thaidhg Community Biodiversity Action Plan 2024–2029 was launched at Scoil Náisiúnta Cholmcille, Ceathrú Thaidhg, in May, when ecologist Karina Dingerkus gave a presentation on the plan’s key objectives. A guided nature walk was organised, and an outdoor mural was designed under the direction of Máire Ní Fhalliún, depicting local habitats, plants, and animals. The plan and the various events were developed with a grant approved by The Community Foundation for Ireland.

The Oweninny Community Benefit Fund approved €2,500 for the purchase of fruit trees and wildflower seeds for the Páirc Spraoi Caochán Playground (Multi Use Games Area) to encourage greater biodiversity on the site. The committee is working in collaboration with Mayo County Council, the TÚS scheme, participants on the Rural Social Scheme, ecologist Karina Dingerkus, and Scoil Náisiúnta Cholmcille on this project.

The Department of Rural and Community Development approved €18,701.70 under the Community Centres Investment Fund to carry out refurbishment works at An tSeanscoil Community Centre, and a further €1,000 was approved under the National Lottery to purchase furniture for the centre.

Mayo County Council submitted an application to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage seeking funding for capital projects under the Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme 2024–2026. In July it was announced that funding of €2,138,906 was approved to provide a new community water connection for the villages of Ceathrú Thaidhg, Ceathrú na gCloch, Port a’ Chlóidh, Port Durlainn, and Sraith a’ tSeagail. At the application preparation stage, David Nevin of Mayo County Council met with local residents at the Seanscoil Community Centre to explain the process. Signatures were subsequently collected from every household interested in availing of the water connection. This project is expected to have a very positive impact on water supply in the area.

Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo provides information and assistance to voluntary groups in relation to developing and managing projects, identifying funding sources, etc. Information and application forms are available for various schemes such as training opportunities and enterprise development, as well as services including photocopying, laminating, and faxing. The co-operative organises training courses (funded by the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board) depending on demand. Nuachtlitir Chill Chomáin, a community newsletter, is published quarterly providing a voice for the local community and an update on development issues. Further information is available by contacting 097-88082 or 087-1251642 or e-mail dunchaochain1@gmail.com.