This document summarizes the community efforts in Mulranny, Ireland to revitalize their village through sustainable initiatives between 2011-2019. It discusses how (1) a community survey in 2010 led to the formation of dynamic groups focused on tourism, the environment, and more. This engaged over 30 new volunteers. (2) Efforts such as restoring heritage sites, developing trails and parks, and creating a pedestrian-friendly downtown helped boost tourism. (3) The community embarked on sustainable programs like adopting a GreenPlan, becoming a Sustainable Energy Community with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, and hosting educational events on renewable energy and home retrofitting.

1. Mulranny
Sustainable Energy
Community
Activating our
Community
By Carol Loftus
20132011 2016 2019

2. Nephin
Clew Bay
Curraun
Plateau
The Great Western Greenway
Mulranny
MULRANNY Location – 3 EU Natura 2000 sites converge at Mulranny

3. MULRANNY Spectacular Views
Nestled in a beautiful landscape

4. MULRANNY c1900 – RAILWAY HOTEL
 Mulranny
had it all
with
regard to
Tourism.
 Electric Light
50 years
before rural
electrification
 Railway Line
passed
through the
village

5.  Legacy of built
Railway Heritage
decayed
 Replaced by
dereliction &
disrepair
 Limited activity in
tourism sector
 Mulranny faded off
the tourist map
 Underutilised
community
resources
 Heritage tourism
potential untapped
MULRANNY 2003 REACHES LOW POINT IN NEW MILLENIUM
MULRANNY RAILWAY HOTEL DECLINED INTO DERELICTION BY 2003

6. 1996 to 2006
Mulranny Railway Hotel 2005
 Hotel Restored 2005
 Mulranny Community
learning lessons from
the past – mobilised to
protect new jobs
 New walking trails
developed
 The Great Western
Greenway opened in
2011 with permissive
access by over ‘160
landowners’
Magnificent Built Heritage Restored

7. 1. Survey: ‘Carried out a
community views survey;
(183 responses from 153
households)
2. Discussion: Held
meetings and interviews
with different groups and
individuals
3. Analysis: Prepared a
community profile
detailing facts and
figures about the
community;
4. Voting for Priorities:
Organised a community
futures open day event -
voting
2010 MULRANNY ENTERS COMMUNITY FUTURES
Scottish model brought to Ireland by Mayo Co. Co.

8.  TOP LIKES % of
responses
 Beautiful
Surroundings:
69%
• TOP DISLIKES %
of responses
• Roads, Traffic &
Parking: 63%
 Mission Statement
 ‘Mulranny will
be a great place
to place to live
in, work in and
visit with an
enterprising and
organised
community’.
COMMUNITY FUTURES

10. To create a Vibrant Pedestrian Friendly Village……
 Collaborative Design
 Sponsored by the
Heritage Council &
Mayo County Council

11.  Develop a Promenade ‘a unique feature in Mayo’
Vibrant Pedestrian Friendly Village
By-passed in the boom ~ made pedestrian friendly in the recession! 2011

12. Vibrant Pedestrian Friendly Village
Before After 
2014 2017
 Funded by Transport For Ireland & Mayo County Council

13. MULRANNY COMMUNITY FUTURES
Created dynamic community groups
 The Mulranny Community Futures ‘Arena’ was opened in 2011
 Some 30 new volunteers entered the arena!
 Futures Steering Group was made up of one rep from each group – co-option
Mulranny
Community Futures
Tourism
Group
Environmental
Group
Tidy
Towns
Graveyard
Committee
Festival
Group
Saint
Brendan's
Pier
Group
Industrial
Trust
Pipe
Band
School
Board
Mulranny
United
Amenity
Centre
ICA
Golf
Club
MULRANNY
EUROPEAN
DESTINATION
OF EXCELLANCE
Old Irish
Goat Society
Gift of
Hands
Sustainable Energy
Community
Green
Plan©

14.  New Website to promote Mulranny
 Social Media - Facebook – Twitter – Instagram
 Press Releases - Liaise with Media
 A European Destination of Excellence – Fáilte Ireland’s Best Small Tourism
Town – Winner Ireland’s Best Destination for Responsible Tourism
MULRANNY
TOURISM

15.  Mulranny Stone Wall Festival - Funded by the Heritage Council &
Mayo County Council - An Action of the Mayo Heritage Plan
 Biodiversity Plan + 5000 Hectares Habitat Mapped
 Trails / Walks Maintenance
 Clean Coasts – National Winner Clean Coasts Ocean Hero Award
MULRANNY
Environmental
Group

16.  Tourism to help preserve our heritage
MULRANNY
Environmental
Group

17. “The DNA results highlight the
Mulranny goat herd as a unique
population in need of protection”
Lara Cassidy, Smurfit Genetic Inst.,
Trinity College
 Native
Irish
Goat

18. Walled Garden Captive
Breeding Program &
New Sanctuary
 Native
Irish
Goat

19.  20 volunteers meet
to make craft for
conservation
projects from
recycled materials
 All of Foxford
Woollen Mills
waste material now
reused!
 All monies
raised used to
support local
voluntary
groups
Gift of hands…

20. Geodesign is about collaboration among 3 groups of people:
1. The people of the place
2. Local Authority Planners, Engineers & Architects
3. Invited Technical experts (in Design, Environmental Policy and Ecology)
Geodesign
“Community Led Policy”

21. Linking the People of Place &
Technical Experts
“Community Led Policy”
Mulranny GeoDesign Themes
1. Renewable Energy
2. Water Management
3. Housing
4. Habitat Biodiversity
5. Enterprise (Tourism)
6. Enterprise (Farming)
7. Cultural Landscape
8. Environmental Protection
9. Transport
10. Community Facilities
GEO DESIGN
 Funded by the Heritage Council & Mayo County Council

22. Linking the People of Place &
Technical Experts
“Community Led Policy”
Mulranny GeoDesign Themes
1. Renewable Energy
2. Water Management
3. Housing
4. Habitat Biodiversity
5. Enterprise (Tourism)
6. Enterprise (Farming)
7. Cultural Landscape
8. Environmental Protection
9. Transport
10. Community Facilities
GEO DESIGN
 Funded by the Heritage Council & Mayo County Council

23.  Developed by
Dublin Firefighter
Neil McCabe
 7 Themes
 Water, Energy
Conservation,
Biodiversity,
Transport, Society,
Procurement
 Mulranny 1st
Community in
Ireland to adopt
the GreenPlan©
 75% reduction in
Tourist Office
Carbon Foot Print
The GREENPLAN©

24. Green Energy Showcase Day
Community invited to meet the experts!

25. SEAI SEC Mulranny
• Researched the SEC
programme & signed up!
• Held a community day with
invited speakers
• Flyer/Invitation to every
household/Posters
• Had our Community Charter
ready to recruit new
members and supporters
• 14 new signatures
• Consultants appointed to
help establish an Energy
Master Plan for Mulranny
(A natural progression)
Invitation

26. SEAI SEC Mulranny
• ‘Lets Make Mulranny Cosy’
event to launch the start of
our EMP
• Posters/Parish Newsletter/
Local Papers/Green School
• Ireland’s 1st FREE Bulb
Exchange
• Draw for householders who
brought along their BER
• Outreach Presentations to
other local community
groups – ICA, etc.,

27. Green Schools & Bulb Exchange
Green
Schools
Energy
Survey
& Tip
Sheet

28. SEAI SEC Mulranny
• Home Energy Event –
with an invited Energy
Expert
• Homeowners ask
questions about their
individual home
• Free BER offered to all
invitees
• Propose to apply for
our 2nd BEC for any
planned works.

29. STRENGTHS
 Social Care of the Elderly
 People & Landscape
OPPORTUNITIES 2010 ~ 2015
 Eco Tourism
 Pedestrian Friendly Village
 Environment Management
Care of Elderly
People
& Landscape
Eco Tourism
Vibrant Village
Environment
Management
People & Place
Creativity, Art:
Gift of Hands
Cultural
Assets:
Old Irish Goat
Climate Action
GreenPlan©
SEC
OPPORTUNITIES 2015 ~ 2021
 Creativity & Art
 Cultural Assets
 Climate Action
 Green Plan
 Sustainable Energy Community
Activating Community

30. Mulranny
Sustainable Energy
Community
Thank You.
2013 2016 20192011