Jimmy Kavanagh: A ‘doer’ who is committed to our community

Article Sponsored by Jimmy Kavanagh, Fine Gael candidate for the Letterkenny Municipal District

In his 15 years in local politics, Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh has led many initiatives and worked always to try and improve facilities for the people of the Letterkenny/Milford Municipal district and for the County. 

He is now an experienced politician who is always available to help with all the many issues that come his way, he is a “doer” focused on changing things for the better for the people he represents, and for the community we all share. 

As he seeks a number one vote for re-election, we highlight some of the initiatives Jimmy has successfully had implemented by the council, and his future priorities if re-elected. 

Changing Places Facility at Letterkenny Retail Park

The first changing places in Letterkenny will open soon, this follows a proposal from Jimmy to apply to the Disability Participation and Awareness fund for a grant towards providing a changing places facility in the town. That successful application and subsequent funding from Minor Tourism paved the way for the facility at the retail park, and it means that many families needing this facility can now enjoy a day out in town, whereas before they could not, and it is hoped that this initiative will also prompt the further development of more such facilities in the town and county. 

Letterkenny Town Park 

Jimmy has proposed several improvements at Bernard McGlinchey Letterkenny Town Park all of which have come to fruition, these include the new adventure area of the park for young people, which he got council to apply for funding for from the dormant accounts, the redevelopment of the kiddie’s “sweet factory” playground and the extension of the car park. All these improvements help make the park a major attraction for families in the town and has helped greatly increase footfall, as one local put it “the park is now a place where a family can relax and enjoy a few hours together without having to spend a lot of money.” 

Twinning with Rudolstadt in Germany 

Jimmy proposed the town twinning between Letterkenny and Rudolstadt in 2017 and got it agreed at council in 2018, since then the partnership has gone from strength to strength and we now have link ups between schools at primary and secondary level, links between the rotary clubs in the two towns, as well as musical and cultural links, including a large St.Patrick’s Day festival in Rudolstadt, and an annual visit from over 70 members of the Rudolstadt community to Letterkenny every September. School exchanges between schools in Rudolstadt and Letterkenny are now annual events, and further connections between the two towns are evolving. 

Smart Technology for Life Buoys

 Jimmy proposed the use of smart technology to keep track of lifebuoys so that if one was misplaced or stolen it can be quickly traced and replaced or retrieved, a lost lifebuoy can mean a lost life, this initiative is being introduced on a pilot basis at 18 locations across the county in 2024, an initiative that can potentially save lives. 

Newmills Corn & Flax Mills 

Jimmy has been highlighting the potential of the corn and flax mills at Newmills for several years and has been impressing on the Minister and the OPW the importance of getting the most from this unique facility on the edge of Letterkenny. If re-elected he hopes to continue this work and is asking for a longer season to allow schools access to this fabulous example of industrial and social history, to get more footfall by having more tour busses to include Newmills in their itinerary, by introducing a shop and café at the facility and by refurbishing and including the former public house and cottage as part of the tour. 

Beach Wheelchairs 

Jimmy proposed acquiring Beach Wheelchairs to the council in 2015 so that families with a disabled member could enjoy a day at one of the many marvellous beaches in Donegal. As a result of his proposal the first beach wheelchair was purchased by the Loughs Commission and allocated to the beach in Rathmullen. Jimmy then got the second beach wheelchair sponsored by a company Meritcom and sited at Downings Beach.

Today we have 15 beach wheelchairs available in the county and many families from near and far benefit as a result. In February 2024 Donegal County council won a national LAMA award for the accessibility of the beaches in the county, and the story continues with further initiatives being introduced to make our fabulous beaches accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Members Development Fund and Development Fund Initiative 

Jimmy has used the funds available to him to support as many local community groups as possible right across the MD area, including local soccer and GAA teams, Basketball teams, Local community bands, community gardens, residents associations, drama groups, pantomime societies, festivals, youth projects and a host of other local organisations to help ensure they can thrive and continue to provide their excellent services to the local communities.

Defective Concrete Blocks 

The issue of Defective Concrete Blocks remains the biggest challenge facing the county, and it is vitally important that we continue to work with government to get the modifications and improvements to the scheme to make it workable for the people affected by this awful plight. Jimmy has prepared a separate leaflet on the new enhanced scheme and can provide a copy on request.

TEN-T Project and A5 

The recent announcement by the Government of €600 million for the A5 project is great news for Donegal as is the commitment on the TEN-T project which includes the road between Letterkenny and Lifford and the bridge over the river Swilly. These are vital projects that will be game changers for the county, and the next council term will be vital in seeing the commencement of these projects.

PRIORITIES IF RE-ELECTED

If re-elected Jimmy looks forward to working on progressing several major projects for the Letterkenny Municipal District these include: 

• Continuing to work with homeowners with defective concrete blocks. 
• Progressing the development of the Alpha & Beta Enterprise & Innovation Centres at Port Road/ Pearse Road. 
• The Regeneration of lower main street 
• Revamping & Reimagining the Market Square 
• Completing the Letterkenny Green Connect Project 
• Developing a major tourism project at the Old Courthouse 
• Tackling the scourge of Dereliction in our towns and villages in the Municipal District. 
• Enhancement of the Cathedral quarter 
• A transport HUB for Letterkenny 
• Providing a reliable and comprehensive Town Bus Service 
• Improved security at our Town Parks. 
• The expansion of active travel to take in the schools on the periphery of the town at Woodlands, Lurgybrack and Illistrin 
• Improved sporting and recreational facilities for the Glencar area. 
• Supporting the integration and inclusion of new members of our community and recognising the importance of their contribution to our cultural and economic development. 
• Continuing to work for further improvements to infrastructure and services for people with a disability and for our elderly.

MEMBERS INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

Jimmy has committed funding for the following projects from his members infrastructure fund 

• A New stone sign and flower bed structure at Orchard Grove estate 
• Two new public lights at McGovern Road, Letterkenny serving the College Park/Willowbrook area. 
• Upgrade of the footpath at McGovern Road 
• A new turnstile structure for pedestrian access between Swilly Park estate and Orchard Grove estate 
• The commission of a piece of art, notice board and new signage at the workhouse graveyard on High Road, Letterkenny. 

All of these projects will be completed in the coming months.

Jimmy currently serves on the Board of Management at Errigal College and is a former chairperson, the Aura Leisure Centre Board, and on the LTACC, he previously served on the management boards at LYIT, Donegal ETB, An Griannan Theatre and Donegal County Museum. He has been Mayor of Letterkenny Municipal District on two occasions 2017-18 and 2020-21

“Thank you all for your support and friendship in the past and I hope you can again give me your No.1 Vote or highest possible preference on this occasion, so that I can continue to represent you on Donegal County Council.”

Get in touch:
086 669 0423
JimmyKavanagh@donegalcoco.ie
Facebook: Cllr.Jimmy Kavanagh

 

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