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Dundalk Leader, 9A Crowe Street, Dundalk (2026)

11/06/2026

Louth County Council Signs Contract for N53 Road Realignment Scheme

Louth County Council has signed a contract with Jons Civil Engineering Ltd for the delivery of the N53 Hackballscross to Rassan Road Realignment Scheme, a significant upgrade to a key section of national road infrastructure in County Louth.

The N53 is a strategic transport link between the northwest and northeast, connecting Dundalk and Castleblayney, and linking onward to the N2.

The scheme will involve the realignment of approximately 3.3km of the existing N53, beginning near Hackballscross in the townland of Carrickastuck and extending west through Annaghvacky and Shanmullagh before rejoining the existing route at Rassan.

The new alignment and associated upgrades will significantly improve road standards, drainage, and overall safety along this key route. The upgraded road will provide a widened carriageway with hard shoulders and verges, significantly improving safety and capacity. Improvements will also include upgraded junctions, a new link road, and enhanced drainage infrastructure to address issues such as surface water runoff and ponding.

Commenting on the project, Cllr Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: “This is a very important investment for the people of County Louth. The N53 serves local communities every day, and this scheme will make a real difference by improving safety while also making day-to-day journeys more reliable. It will support connectivity, reduce risks, and enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses across the county.”

David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, highlighted the strategic importance of the project, saying: “This scheme demonstrates our commitment to delivering on key national and regional transport priorities. Upgrading the N53 will enhance road safety and support sustainable economic growth. Working in partnership with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and our project stakeholders, we are pleased to see this vital project move into the construction phase.”

The project will be delivered over an estimated 14-month construction period and is fully funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). Westmeath National Roads Office (WNRO) are the scheme designer, with Atkins Réalis acting as Employer’s Representative.

11/06/2026

Redeemer Celtic to host World Champion Gary Anderson in Lisdoo

Redeemer Celtic FC are bringing the Flying Scotsman Gary Anderson to the Lisdoo Bar in Dundalk on Friday 19th June with all funds raised going to both the club and also to the Cystic Fibrosis Lourdes Fund.

Gary Anderson is a former back to back world championship winner.
He has won 54 PDC Events and his total of PDC Pro Tour Winning Events ranks 3rd behind Michael Van Gerwen and Phil Taylor.

This is the 1st major Darts exhibition hosted in the Lisdoo and Gary is a real fans favourite. Tickets for the event can only be purchased through www.ticketstop.ie There will also be a raffle on the night and ticket prices range from just €15 for U16’s to €20 for adults. There is also a VIP ticket for €30 which includes a meet and greet. Contact Barry on 087 7810212.

11/06/2026

Dundalk Dog Rescue Sponsored Dog Walk this Sunday

Dundalk Dog Rescue (DDR) is inviting dog lovers and the wider community to take part in its Sponsored Dog Walk on Sunday, 14th June at St Helena’s Park, Dundalk.
The approximately 4km walk starts and finishes in the park and is suitable for all ages and abilities. Registration opens at 2.30pm, with entry costing €20, which includes a goodie bag and, for the first time ever, a commemorative medal for participants.

Sponsorship cards are now available — simply contact DDR for details. And you don’t need to own a dog to join in. Everyone is welcome to take part in what promises to be another enjoyable and family-friendly afternoon. A raffle featuring some fabulous prizes will also take place on the day.

Dundalk Dog Rescue is also excited to share with its supporters that its commitment to sustainability and the environmental was recently recognised by Louth County Council through the awarding of a grant via’s its Climate Action Fund. The funding will allow DDR to install solar panels at its kennels, helping to reduce energy costs and ensuring that more of the money donated to the charity can be directed towards the direct care and welfare of the dogs. DDR is very grateful to Louth County Council for this support and recognition.

DDR is currently running a legacy campaign, encouraging supporters to consider leaving a gift in their will as a lasting way to help dogs in need.

As DDR volunteer Emma Faye explains: “At Dundalk Dog Rescue we believe every dog deserves a safe future. By remembering Dundalk Dog Rescue in your will, you ensure our doors stay open for the next generation of rescues. After you've looked after your own loved ones, please consider leaving a gift to help us keep our promise to the dogs. Pick up a flyer at our centre or speak with your solicitor.”

10/06/2026

Caroline Duffy Designs to represent Louth at 2026 National Enterprise Awards

Caroline Duffy Designs, will represent Louth at the prestigious National Enterprise Awards, taking place on Thursday 18th June 2026 at The Round Room in The Mansion House, Dublin.

Founded by Caroline Duffy in 2020, Caroline Duffy Designs has quickly established itself as a distinctive Irish brand creating original art, fashion and home collections inspired by the Irish countryside, florals and a belief that creativity nourishes the soul. The brand’s offering includes luxury silk scarves, kimonos, woven throws, cushions and fine art. Caroline’s collections are stocked in Brown Thomas Dublin, she has sales in Europe, America and Canada with her work has receiving multiple national accolades, including the Guaranteed Irish Fashion Award 2025 and the Irish Made Awards 2024.

In 2025, Caroline expanded the business with the opening of a new gallery and studio space in Dundalk town centre, marking a significant milestone. This new space has enabled the brand to evolve beyond products into immersive creative experiences, offering art workshops. Sustainability and slow fashion are central to the brand’s ethos. Each piece is hand-painted and designed in Caroline’s Dundalk studio and produced with eco-conscious partners using low-waste processes and recyclable packaging. In addition, a tree is planted for every order, further reinforcing the brand’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

We are incredibly proud to have Caroline Duffy Designs representing Louth at the National Enterprise Awards,” said Nikki Campbell Head of Enterprise with Local Enterprise Office Louth.

“Caroline is a truly inspiring example of the innovative and creative businesses emerging from County Louth delivering meaningful impact through her focus on wellbeing and sustainability”

The National Enterprise Awards, organised annually by the Local Enterprise Offices, bring together outstanding small businesses from across the country to compete for national recognition, with categories celebrating innovation, growth, export potential, and sustainability.

Local Enterprise Office Louth provides a range of supports to business including advice, mentoring and funding, helping local businesses to start, grow, and succeed. For more information on how the Local Enterprise Office can support your business visit: www.localenterprise.ie/Louth

10/06/2026

Deadline nears for Louth creatives to apply for craft residency in Greece

Louth makers, designers and craft students are being offered the chance to take part in an “exciting” European craft programme, including a three-day jewellery residency in Greece.

Louth County Council is encouraging local creatives to apply for the CUBE Craft Academy in Greece, which includes both an in-person residency and an online programme focused on project development and EU funding opportunities, before the deadline on Friday, 12th June.

The in-person strand, “From Waste to Wearable”, will take place in Thessaloniki from 30th September to 2nd October 2026.

Guided by expert mentors in a collaborative setting, the residency will focus on turning recycled, upcycled and unconventional materials into contemporary wearable pieces, with participants exploring circular design, storytelling and low-impact making techniques, encouraging participants to rethink how materials are sourced and used.

The opportunity is open to emerging creatives, students, recent graduates and people with an interest in sustainability and contemporary craft. No advanced technical experience is needed, only a willingness to learn, experiment and engage with new ideas.

For participants attending the in-person residency, financial support covering travel, accommodation and subsistence is available.

For those who miss out on the Greek residency, a second strand, “Creative Futures,” can be applied for before Friday, 31st July. This programme will run online and is aimed at helping creatives develop project ideas and better understand EU funding opportunities.
Creative Futures will cover areas including concept development, proposal writing and project planning and is aimed at empowering creatives to effectively engage with European collaborative projects and funding programmes.
Across both strands, participants will have access to mentorship, peer learning and international exchange, while also making connections with creatives from across Europe.
Those who complete the full programme will receive a Certificate of Achievement recognising their participation and newly developed skills.
David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, said the programme was “an excellent opportunity for creatives in Louth to engage with sustainable practices while gaining hands-on experience and building connections across Europe.”
“We are delighted to be partnering once again with Carlow County Council to provide unique opportunities for those in the craft industry,” he said.
“We encourage anyone with an interest in craft, design, or sustainability to apply to represent Louth on a European stage.”
Nikki Campbell, Head of Enterprise at Louth County Council, said programmes such as the CUBE Craft Academy provide valuable pathways for creatives to develop both artistically and professionally.
“By combining sustainable making with skills in EU project development, participants are better equipped to access new opportunities and contribute to a more innovative and resilient creative sector,” she said.
The CUBE Craft Academy is part of Craftwork 4.0 All, a wider European initiative supporting the cultural and creative sectors through sustainability, collaboration and innovation.
The deadline for applications for the in-person residency is 12th June 2026, while applications for the online Creative Futures programme remain open until 31st July 2026.
Applications can be made through the official online application form on Carlow County Council’s online consultation portal at https://consult.carlow.ie/en/content/craft-academy-greece-sustainable-making-creative-opportunities.
For those interested, further information is available from Gráinne McKeown of Local Enterprise Office Louth at [email protected].

10/06/2026

Local gym to take on 24 hour cycle challenge in aid of Pieta House

On the 10th and 11th of July, five members of staff from Energie Fitness Dundalk will be taking part in a 24-Hour Charity Cycle Challenge in aid of Pieta. The challenge will run continuously from 12 noon on Friday until 12 noon on Saturday, with the 5 participants rotating throughout the event to ensure the bikes keep moving for the full 24 hours.

Through this challenge, Energie Fitness staff are hoping to raise awareness and vital funds for Pieta, whose services provide support to individuals and families affected by su***de, self-harm, and mental health challenges.

The event will take place at Energie Fitness Dundalk and members of the public are welcome to call in, show their support, and help raise funds for this important cause. There will also be special promotions and offers throughout the weekend as well as allowing all members of the public to train for free.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/energie-fitness-dundalk-24-hour-charity-cycle-for-pieta

10/06/2026

Ardee Community School wins Sonia Hoey Cup for the second year in DkIT

The Sonia Hoey Tournament, hosted by the Health and Physical Activity team at DkIT in partnership with Louth LGFA, returned this year with remarkable momentum, building on the success of last year’s debut event.

Expanding on the one-day event held in 2025, this year's competition included teams from eight secondary schools across the county. Group stage fixtures were played off during the months of March and April with six teams then progressing to the Cup Semi-finals and Shield final which were all held in DkIT on May 21st as part of the Sonia Hoey Festival of Football.

The Shield Final was contested by Ballymakenny College in Drogheda and St. Louis Secondary School, Dundalk. This was St. Louis first time participating in the event and they certainly did past-pupil Sonia Hoey very proud as they battled hard against a strong Ballymakenny side. Ballymakenny ran out eventual winners in this exciting game with some excellent football on display from both teams.

The Cup semi-finals saw Ardee Community School, the existing Cup holders, take on St. Vincents, while Our Ladys College, Greenhills, Drogheda played last years Shield winners, the Marist. The competition was fierce and the talent on display impressive as Ardee Community School and the Marist progressed through to the Sonia Hoey Cup final. Ultimately, the Ardee team proved too strong for the contenders in the final and retained their title for another year.

The family of the late Sonia Hoey, former Louth LGFA star and beloved colleague at DkIT, were on hand to present the silverware, a fitting tribute to Sonia's legacy and her profound impact on the sporting community in County Louth. Louth Senior Ladies captain Áine Breen was also in attendance to watch some of the talent on display and present the award to the Player of the Tournament, Lucy Rogers from the Marist.

10/06/2026

How Dundalk student Brooke is making her mark in musical theatre

Brooke Rafferty Shaw, a final-year Musical Theatre student at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), has been dancing since the age of three. By five, the performance bug had truly taken hold of the 20-year-old Dundalk native, who soon began training in singing and acting. “I’ve kept it up ever since,” she said. It was the main thing that got me through the Leaving Cert and the harder parts of school. It was such a fantastic outlet.”

Brooke’s first step into musical theatre came at age 11 when she performed in SONG Dundalk’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Since then, she has taken on a variety of roles, including one of her favourites — Killer Queen in We Will Rock You.

Also in the top two was her recent performance as Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. “It’s such a rare character to get to play on stage. Between the costume, directions and creative freedom I was given, it was just so much fun!”

These roles also gave Brooke the opportunity to perform in very different venues, moving from An Táin Arts Centre to the MacAnna Theatre. “In larger theatres, it’s easier to look above the audience and let yourself be guided by the lights, keeping that fourth wall in place," according to Brooke, "but there’s something really special about smaller spaces like the MacAnna — the audience picks up on every little detail.”

As a teenager, Brooke embraced every opportunity to enhance her performance skills or get on stage. When it came to choosing a college course, she decided to follow her passion “I figured I'd go with what I know and what I know, I love, “she said, reflecting on her choice to study at DkIT.

Staying in her hometown made sense for Brooke, avoiding pressures like accommodation costs and long commutes, and getting the opportunity to study all of the musical theatre elements on her doorstep.

At DkIT, highlights have included performance classes, modules in the History of Musical Theatre, and the strong friendships developed within her course. “We all really enjoy working together, it’s like a little community. Being in a smaller course is also a fantastic opportunity to develop close relationships with our lecturers.” The small class sizes have allowed Brooke to benefit from one-on-one tutoring and increased performance opportunities. She recalls a standout project in 2025 which gave students the chance to perform a variety of solos, duets, and ensemble pieces. Brooke has also expanded her skills through choreography and dance modules, even beginning to teach at two stage schools.

Stage Management and working backstage is another area Brooke has really enjoyed. “I always had a bit of an interest in stage management just from being very organised backstage in other shows. I don't think it's appreciated enough that it’s borderline impossible to do something without that level of organisation.”

Beyond performance, Brooke has seen huge personal growth during her studies. Once shy in unfamiliar situations, she has developed confidence through areas such as improvisation. “Being confronted with situations where you don't know the end goal, and that you just have to react with what you're given to honestly help so much just for day-to-day life,” she reflects.

A professional performance career is “100% the end goal” for Brooke once she graduates but for now, she is planning to stay in DkIT and complete the add on year in Drama and Performance studies.

Her advice for aspiring performers or those contemplating studying Musical Theatre is: “Go for it and! It’s a hard field and so you have to be prepared to hear the things that you don't necessarily want to hear sometimes, but if you are confident that this is what you know you love, absolutely go for it!”

Learn more about musical theatre courses at DkIT: https://www.dkit.ie/courses/ba-hons-in-musical-theatre

10/06/2026

Council Launches Louth in Bloom 2026 Competition

Louth County Council is delighted to announce the launch of Louth in Bloom 2026, a vibrant countywide initiative now proudly celebrating its seventh year.

This much-anticipated annual competition continues to bring communities together in a shared commitment to enhance, protect and celebrate the local environment.

In recent years, Louth in Bloom has grown into a flagship programme that recognises the outstanding efforts of residents, community groups, businesses and organisations who take pride in their surroundings.

The competition highlights the power of community spirit, creativity and sustainability in shaping greener, more attractive places to live, work and visit.

2026 Categories
This year, the competition introduces an updated range of categories, providing even more opportunities for participation across the county:

• Best Kept Estate/Street/Apartment Complex – Category A (less than 50 homes
• Best Kept Estate/Street/Apartment Complex – Category B (over 51 homes)
• Best Front Garden in a Town or Village
• Best Front Garden in a Rural Area
• Best Presented Business Premises
• Best Presented Hospitality Premises
• Best Biodiversity / Sustainable Innovative Initiative or Project
• Best Tidy Town Sustainable Innovative Initiative or Project
Each category reflects a strong focus on biodiversity, sustainability, community engagement and visual enhancement, ensuring that all aspects of environmental stewardship are recognised and celebrated.

Cllr Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, emphasised the importance of the initiative, saying: “Louth in Bloom continues to highlight the best of our communities. It showcases the pride people have in their local areas and the collective effort to make Louth a cleaner, greener and more welcoming county. I encourage individuals, groups and businesses to get involved and be part of this growing success.”

Chief Executive David Conway also spoke about the broader benefits of the programme: “Through Louth in Bloom, we are recognising the valuable contribution made by communities and businesses in enhancing the quality of life across the county. The initiative not only improves our surroundings but also promotes sustainable practices and strengthens community connections.”

Nominations are now open for Louth in Bloom 2026. Residents are encouraged to nominate their own or others’ homes, estates, businesses or projects via the Louth County Council Consultation portal at consult.louthcoco.ie. The closing date for entries is Friday, 10 July 2026.

Louth in Bloom 2026 invites everyone to take part in celebrating the beauty, biodiversity and sustainability of County Louth. Whether through a colourful front garden, a thriving community space or an innovative environmental project, every effort contributes to making Louth a better place for all.

10/06/2026

‘People fed up waiting for relief from cost of living’ states Ó Murchú

People are ‘absolutely fed up’ waiting for the government to provide relief from the cost of living but it has not come, Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has told the Dáil.

Speaking on a motion that called on the government to develop and publish a "Fiscal Planning for Economic Certainty Framework”, the Dundalk TD reminded ministers that more than 317,000 people are in arrears with the electricity and energy bills, and a quarter of that number are behind in their gas bills.

He said that every elected representative knows that and are dealing with people ‘who have been in even more difficult circumstances and who never believed they would be’.

Deputy Ó Murchú said that while there were some improvements in public transport, the reality is that the car is the only option for many people, but the cost of fuel is soaring.

And there has been little reduction on the cost of home heating oil. He said: “Those who need home heating oil and kerosene and those who are most vulnerable will need fuel very soon, if they do not already.

“Many were waiting on Government to provide some sort of relief but that relief did not come. That is what we need to see. We need to see those sorts of actions”.
He said there needed to have been stronger powers given to the CRU previously to hold energy companies that profiteer to account.

Deputy Ó Murchú said: “Sinn Féin recently discussed such proposals but we have not seen action from Government. That is why there is a call for energy credits. These calls are made on the basis that it is something the Government can do now, despite its failure to take other actions”.

And the difficult part for people is watching the waste in the system. He said: “I refer to the €50 million written off by Irish Rail in relation to its train management system, which is absolutely dead in the water. That is before we talk about bike sheds, security huts and the national children's hospital. People are absolutely fed up with this.

“It is necessary to provide a cost-of-living package and a cost-of-disability payment. We need a payment now and we need a properly constructed payment that works into the future and that recognises that the most vulnerable need these supports”.

Dundalk Leader

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