Five community centres get connected
Pictured at last week’s launch were, back, from left: Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Richard Finn; Michael Ring TD and Interim Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Peter Duggan. Front, from left: John Magee, Acting Director of Services, Mayo County Council and David Reddington, Acting Broadband Officer, Mayo County Council. Pic: Paul Mealey
Bofeenaun, Clare Island, Islandeady, Kilasser and Taugheen become Broadband Connection Point
Mayo’s Connected Communities has been launched in five community centres, with more expected to ‘go live’ across the county in the first quarter of next year.
The Connected Communities initiative establishes community ‘Broadband Connection Points’ as a key part of the National Broadband Plan. Through it, the Government, in partnership with Vodafone and National Broadband Ireland, will provide free high-speed internet access at public accessible sites, like community centres, for remote working, study, community/digital skills training, and a host of other digitally enabled services and amenities.
The launch for Bofeenaun, Clare Island, Islandeady, Kilasser and Taugheen Community Centres took place virtually on Mayo.ie’s Facebook page last Friday. Speakers included the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Richard Finn; Deputy Michael Ring TD and Interim Chief Executive Peter Duggan. There were also pre-recorded messages from Deputy Alan Dillon TD, Deputy Dara Calleary TD and Deputy Rose Conway Walsh TD.
Speaking at the launch, Cllr Finn said: “Rural communities are the life blood of our county, amd ensuring that they are connected in not just roads and transport, but broadband and wifi is vital in the progression of this county. This afternoon’s launch is a much welcomed development in rural Mayo’s connectivity, which will provide great opportunity for the villages, towns and for Clare Island.”
Interim Chief Executive, Peter Duggan, “Mayo County is one of the most captivating on this island, and its people are some of the most loyal and proud that you will find anywhere in the world. We are future-proofing this county for generations to come when we connect ourselves to the online world that enterprise, commerce, education and trade participates in. This afternoon’s launch and the upcoming on stream for the other Connected Community Groups in Mayo to broadband connection points are incredibly necessary for the survival of rural areas.”
Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, also welcomed the launch, saying he looks forward to the completion of the remaining BCPs throughout Mayo and every county in Ireland.