As a mark of respect to our very dear colleague Roger McQuaid, the Civic Offices, Carrickmacross will be closed to the public from 1:00 p.m. on Friday the 27th of November.
News
Carrickmacross Tidy Town Hosts Online National Seminar
Shortly after the local Tidy Town Committee launched Ireland’s first Deposit Return Reverse Vending Machine at the Market Square Shopping Centre in October 2019 
it generated huge national interest. There were phone calls and emails from right across the country seeking information on how they could replicate Carrick’s novel idea. Of course the idea was not new to other European countries and one of the main objectives of the local Tidy Town Committee was to influence government national policy and get the scheme up and running in Ireland. Despite initial disinterest from some of the powers that be the system is now one of the main environmental objectives of the current government. So, mission accomplished in that regard.
Following the huge interest back at the beginning of 2020 the local Tidy Town Committee decided to host a national seminar in the town and invite the various interested groups to hear their story so far. As we all know, Covid 19 emerged so the seminar had to be postponed to a later date. The current situation led to the committee deciding to host a national online seminar/webinar for all those who had been looking for information on the project so they could hear the Carrickmacross story and learn from it and possibly proceed with their own projects. That seminar is now scheduled for next Wednesday 11th November at 7.30 pm and the local committee is inviting anyone in the local community to participate. There is no charge. All you have to do is register online using the code below.
The webinar should be very interesting as it tells the story of how Carrick Tidy Town Committee, with the support of local authorities and financial sponsors, went about influencing government national policy with regard to plastic recycling. The matter was discussed at the recent municipal district meeting and has generated great interest among local politicians as well as national figures.
So, if you are interested, the local Tidy Town Committee would love to see you tune in on Wednesday evening next at 7.30pm. Here is the code to register participation in the coming days prior to the webinar:
#ShopCarrickmacross
Due to the ongoing changing state of lockdown in Autumn 2020 please support your local businesses by buying of their website or following them on social media, many are offering click and collect. If you are a local Carrickmacross business send your website address or Facebook address to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get listed here.
#ShopCarrickmacross
Monaghan Tourism Launches ‘Monaghan Quest’
Countywide Quiz With Hundreds of Euro Worth Prizes Up for Grabs
Monaghan Tourism has come up with a novel way to attract visitors this summer, at the same time encouraging locals to get out and about and explore the county in full.
The Monaghan Quest – open to all - is a series of 20 questions covering heritage sites, outdoor spaces and attractions throughout the county, with hundreds of Euro worth of prizes up for grabs for those who complete the quiz.
The answers to most of the questions can only be found by visiting the attractions themselves, and the competition will run throughout the month of August, giving plenty of time for participants to explore within safe social distancing parameters.
Kids are encouraged to get involved, too, via the ‘Monaghan Mini Quest’, which comprises 10 questions.
In addition, bonus ‘spot challenges’ will be released via Monaghan Tourism social media channels over the course of the month.
"This is a fantastic incentive for everybody - whether young or old, from near or far - to get out and about and discover the wonderful attractions, outdoor spaces and heritage sites we have here in County Monaghan. The tourism and hospitality industry is going through a particularly tough time and every cent spent in here the county can make all the difference. I hope as many people as possible can join the Quest and show their support," said Monaghan County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Colm Carthy.
Sample Quest questions include:
* What is written on the plaque beside "Big Tom's" statue in Market Square in Castleblayney?
* What piece of clothing is found on the Mannequin in the Carrickmacross Lace Gallery?
With new attractions including the state-of-the-art Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Carrickmacross Lace Gallery and towering giant sculptures at Rossmore Forest Park, Monaghan is the perfect destination for a crowd-free short break. Monaghan is an easy day trip, too, with the south of the county just an hour’s drive from Dublin.
To download entry sheets and view terms and conditions, visit monaghantourism.com.
Direct link: https://monaghantourism.com/complete-the-monaghan-quest/
Follow @MonaghanTourism on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for Quest hints and tips plus details of spot challenges as they are revealed.
#MyMonaghan #MonaghanQuest
1st prize €300 town vouchers; 2nd prize €200 town vouchers; 3rd prize €100, town vouchers with additional €100 town vouchers up for grabs via ‘spot challenges’ which will be released via Monaghan Tourism social media channels (@MonaghanTourism on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) throughout the month of August, 2020.
The Monaghan Mini Quest prize is a €50 town voucher.
Entries must be submitted by midnight on 31st August 2020 and winners will be selected at random by Monaghan Tourism shortly thereafter.
Town vouchers for the town of your choice (Carrickmacross, Castleblayney, Monaghan Town) can be redeemed at most of the towns’ shops, restaurants and hotels, so top prizes would more than cover the cost of a meal out or night away, for example.
Monaghan Tourism is open for business. To the check opening times of attractions and Covid-related safety measures, visit https://monaghantourism.com/monaghan-open-for-business/
View accommodation offers for Summer 2020 at https://monaghantourism.com/summer-2020-special-offers/
Your Town Needs You
Below are some videos made by the Carrickmacross Chamber of Commerce of businesses preparing to open and getting back to business:
Business Re-Start Fund
The Government has announced a new €250m Restart Grant, which will give direct grant aid to micro and small businesses to help them with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures.
- Direct grant aid of between €2,000 minimum and €10,000 based on commercial rates bill from 2019.
- Scheme applies to small businesses with a turnover of under €5m and employing 50 people or less.
- Scheme opens for applications on Friday 22 May through the Local Authorities.
Easter Arrangements for the Post Office and Pension/Social Protection Payments
Thursday 9th April - Payments due for collection on Friday and Monday may be collected on Thursday, including OAP Pension.Good Friday 10th April - Post Office open until from 8am to 1pm with priority for OAPs from 8am to 9am. Payments due for collection on Friday and Monday may be collected on Friday.
Saturday - Post Office Closed
Easter Monday - Post Office Closed.
Easter Monday - Post Office Closed.
Local Business who will deliver Locally
As a result of the COVID 19 Virus many businesses in Carrickmacross have closed or have a working behind closed doors policy. This has caused great inconvenience to our customers, and many people living alone may not be able to get the supplies they need. Therefore the Chamber of Commerce have compiled a list of businesses who have indicated they will deliver to people who need this service in the local area. This list may not be all inclusive as some businesses may not have responded.
Click on the PDF to download the list.
A printed copy will be available in the Post Office, Keegans, Birdies and the Chemists.
Paul Mulligan, RIP
It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the sudden and untimely passing of our friend and colleague, Paul Mulligan, Ganger in the Castleblayney /Carrickmacross Municipal District.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Paul’s parents John and Teresa, his siblings and extended family at this extremely difficult time.
I also wish to extend our condolences and support to all his friends and colleagues in the Municipal District and wider Monaghan County Council organisation.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.
Eamonn O’Sullivan,
Chief Executive,
Monaghan County Council,
County Offices,
The Glen,
Monaghan.
Carrickmacross Town and Car-Parking Strategy and Action Plan
Consultations took place on the 10th of March 2020 in the Carrickmacross Civic Office (a copy of the presentation made on the day can be found at www.carrickmacross.ie) and should anyone feel that they missed the opportunity to participate and would like to have their views heard that they can still make a submission by 31st of March at 16.00hrs by contacting AECOM via:-
Laura McCoy AECOM Consultant– Transport Planning on Telephone:- 028-9595-6328 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Carrickmacross St Patrick's Day Parade 2020
St Patrick's Day Parade 2020
Due to the unique nature and scale of the St Patrick’s Day festivities, in terms of size, the mass gathering of local and international travellers, and the continued progression of community transmission in some European countries, along with the emergence of a small number of cases of local transmission in Irleand the Government has decided that all St Patrick’s Day parades will not proceed.
This is based on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team.
