As reflected in its Mission Statement the LCPG works tirelessly to develop and promote the area on various different platforms.
With the support of Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Lár Comhairle Paróiste working from their office in Malinmore, is funded to employ an Oifigeach Forbartha (full-time position).
With a ‘bottom-up’ approach to our community’s development, the Irish language and its revitalisation has always been a cornerstone of the Lár Comhairle’s work-plan. Working in partnership with our neighbouring parishes of Kilcar & Ardara, we setup an eight member Coiste Stiúrtha Pleanála Teanga and were successful in the submission of a 7 year plan to the Limistéar Pleanála Teanga (LPT) program. Branded as Béal an Phobail the first step to implementing the plan was taken when Oifigeach Teanga, Aisling Ní Churraighín took up her post in February 2020 and while challenged with COVID-19 is making a very definite and positive impression.
Since its foundation, the LCPG has worked closely with the Donegal County Council, Údarás na Gaeltachta and other state agencies (e.g Donegal Co. Council; HSE; Fáilte Ireland etc) on issues relevant to the area. Infrastructural development such as roads, housing, lighting, beach services & access, signage, hedge trimming, water & communications are among the many issues regularly brought to focus. Campaí Samhraidh, the Community Garden and recreational & educational classes for both adults and young people also feature among the activities organised annually by the Lár Comhairle.
With an eye always towards increasing our segment in the tourism market, the development of recreational projects have also been a feature of the LCPGs work in recent years, among them are The Drum Loop and The Tower Loop walks in Glencolmcille and access paths and Visitor Centre built for the renowned Sliabh a’ Liag Cliffs. Constantly working toward creating employment opportunities, the Lár Comhairle investigated the feasibility of a Whiskey Distillery being set up in the area from which the Sliabh a’Liag Distillery was privately established in 2017. Most recently the group are actively exploring projects including the development of a Greenway, Wave Energy and identification of a suitable Dark Skies site.
Collaboration with the HSE down through the years necessitated our exploring a range of solutions where gaps in services were identified that were of great concern to the local community. Launching a First Responder Service in 2010 was one of the solutions set up to bridge the gap between the a 999 call and an ambulance arrival time (**New Responders are always welcome to join and training will be provided free of charge – call Aoibheann 087 773 6247 – more information is available on the Glencolmcille First Responder page). Constantly providing area representation in forums such as the SWD Community Health Forum & Killybegs Community Hospital the Lár Comhairle in response to needs identified locally have set up a Dementia Befriending Service under the guidance of the Good Morning Service Co Donegal. Assisting the local community cope with the COVID pandemic and the need for social distancing & self-isolating, with the help of over 40 volunteers Lár Comhairle Paróiste Ghleann Cholm Cille in collaboration with CLG Naomh Columba set up the Glencolmcille COIVID-19 Community Response Service.
Exploration of the harnessing of wind energy on land, re-cycling and willow farming also featured among areas researched by the Lár Comhairle over the years, and while unsuccessful in progressing them at the time of research due to area classification (SACs) and fears people had of ‘spoiling’ the wide open scenic spaces/views in the area, there is a strong sense and hope within the LCPG that attitudinal change will allow these areas be developed in future years.
