Development News in Brief

Suirbhé Locha
Thug Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaíochta Árainn Mhór i gcomhpháirtíocht le Club Slat-iascaireachta Árainn Mhór faoi shuirbhé ar locha an oileáin i mí Mheán Fómhair féachaint chuige iad a stocáil le breac. Ba iad an Dr. Willie Roche ón Bhord Lárnach Iascaigh agus Leslie McIntyre ó Bhord Iascaigh Réigiún an Tuaiscirt a thug faoin obair ar 5 loch de chuid an oileáin, chun a fháil amach an mbeadh siad fóirsteanach do stocáil le réimsí éagsúla breac. Rinneadh stocáil ar Loch Thoir, ar an oileán, sa bhliain 1901 le breac (rainbow?) ó Mheiriceá Thuaidh agus tá sé anois ar cheann de dhá loch san Eoraip ina gcothaítear an t-iasc sin go nadúrtha. Tá an loch eile i bPoblacht na Seice. Beidh stoc breac (donn agus rainbow) réidh fá choinne séasúr na bliana seo chugainn.

Lake Survey
Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaíochta Árainn Mhór and the Árainn Mhór angling club carried out a survey of the islands lakes in September with a view to stocking them with trout. Dr. Willie Roche of the Central Fisheries Board and Leslie McIntyre of the Northern Regional Fisheries Board carried out a detailed survey of five of the lakes to determine their suitability for stocking with different trout species. Loch Thoir, one of the island lakes, was originally stocked in 1901 with rainbow trout from North America and it is one of two lakes in Europe where rainbow trout breed naturally. The other lake is located in the Czech Republic. A stock of brown and rainbow trout will be in place for next years fishing season.

Eolais Turasóireachta
Chuir Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaíochta Árainn Mhór i gcomhpháirtíocht le Údarás Turasóireachta an Iar-thuaiscirt ionad eolais turasóireachta ar bun ar an oileán thar mhíonna an tsamhraidh. Bhí an t-ionad lonnaithe in áitreabh nuamháisithe ceardaíochta Údarás na Gaeltachta atá taobh leis an ché. Fostaíodh mac léinn de chuid an oileáin san ionad, mar chuid de scéim samhraidh na mac-léinn, chun eolas a dháileadh ar thurasóirí agus chun cuid de thairgí traidisiúnta an oileáin a dhíol. Tá súil ag an chomharchumann go gcuirfí leis na seirbhísí agus earraí a bheas ar díol san áitreabh an bhliain seo chugainn.

Tourism Information Point
Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaíochta Árainn Mhór and North West Tourism Authority provided a tourism information point on the island over the Summer months. The information point was located in the newly refurbished Údarás na Gaeltachta owned craft shop which is located near the ferry pier. An island student on the Student Summer Scheme manned the information point, which provided a range of services including the sale of island products and information on things to see and do on the island. The co-op hope to build on the success of the information point by stocking a wider range of products next Summer.

Léarscáil Oileáin
Tá Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaíochta Árainn Mhór ag obair ar bhroiseár dhátheangach don oileán. Beidh eolas faoin Árainn Mhór, a stair agus a daoine ann chomh maith le léarscáil nua-aimseartha den oileán ar a mbeidh áiteanna le sonrú marcáilte ann, rudaí atá le déanamh, áiseanna agus bealtaí siúlóide (siúlóid Árainn Mhór agus Bealach na Gaeltachta san áireamh) Ba mhaith linn buíochas a ghabháil leis an Roinn Gnóithí Pobail agus Teaghlaigh as an bhroiseár a mhaoiniú.

Island Map
Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaíochta Árainn Mhór are working on a bilingual brochure for the island. The brochure will include an introduction to Árainn Mhór, its history and people, an updated map of the island with points of interest, things to do, facilities and walking routes including the Arranmore Way and Bealach na Gaeltachta. We would like to acknowledge the support of the Department of Social Community & Family Affairs for providing funding for the brochure.

Togra Iompair Tuaithe
Tá Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaíochta Árainn Mhór agus Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta i ndiaidh a bheith ag obair le chéile ar chlár trialach faoin tógra iompair tuaithe chun seirbhís iompair phoiblí a chur ar fáil don oileán. Is é ata i gceist leis an tógra seo ná go gcuirfí mionbhus agus dhá thiománaí ar fáil do phobal an oileáin go ginearalta agus do pháistí scoile agus seandaoine go háirithe. Leanfaidh an bus bealach rialta a bheas aontaithe ag pobal an oileáin agus beidh sé ina bhuntaiste mhór don phobal, gan a bheith ag tracht ar an dá phost tábhachtach a chruthófar.

Rural Transport Initiative
Comharchumann Forbartha & Fostaíochta Árainn Mhór have been working with Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta on a pilot programme proposal under the Rural Transport Initiative which will provide public transport for the island. The project involves the provision of a minibus and up to two drivers from the island to provide transport for the whole island population, but the elderly and schoolchildren in particular. The bus will service a number of regular bus routes worked out in consultation with locals. The project will be a major benefit to islanders as well as providing two vital jobs on the island.