Local Lens

July sees the start of Ireland’s six month term holding the Presidency of the European Union.  In advance of a particularly busy time for her Department, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Meath TD Helen McEntee, recorded a special interview about the EU Presidency with Local Lens.
 
It touches on a wide range of topics including her priorities, the forthcoming EU Budget, Ukraine, tariffs and trade deals, and how she would like the people of Meath to remember the term.
 
As part of the Presidency County Meath has been paired with Italy so this episode also welcomed the Italian Ambassador to Ireland Nicola Faganello and, outlining what Meath County Council is doing and how the EU Presidency will not impact on budgets or services, is  Elaine Daly, Senior Executive Officer for Corporate Affairs and Governance at Meath County Council.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
Ireland's leadership role within the EU Council
Strategic focus on European competitiveness
Managing agri-food and trade relationships
Strengthening ties between Meath and Italy
Upcoming community events and school initiatives
QUOTES
Every six months one of the 27 member states essentially takes over as the chair of the council. - Helen McEntee
The EU presidency offers huge opportunities for Ireland but also for County Meath. - Elaine Daly
The presidency of the EU Council is an important opportunity to help shape the European agenda. - Nicola Faganello
KEYWORDS #IrelandEUPresidency#MeathCountyCouncil#Twinning #Diplomacy#EUAffairs#LocalLens

Celebrating the Boyne Valley in the context of tourism, heritage and the related drivers of economic growth and jobs in county Meath, are discussed in this month’s episode.
 
With topics ranging from Newgrange to Farmaphobia, from Púca to post-pandemic outdoor activities, this episode is full of information and conversation about the rich heritage and tourism offerings in the county.
 
Joining the discussion are Emma Gill, Tourism officer for Meath County Council,  
Majella Farrell, Head of Economic & Business Development, Causey Farm owner Deirdre Murtagh and there is a collection of voices of visitors from many countries who had gathered in Trim to enjoy the Púca procession.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
Experiential destination goal for Boyne Valley.
Encouraging visitors to stay longer in Meath.
Causey Farm offers interactive visitor experiences.
Púca Festival roots in Halloween's birthplace.
Future focus: business, coastal, equine tourism
QUOTES
Our number one aim is for the Boyne Valley to be one of the top experiential destinations in the world. - Emma Gill 
They say, it's the welcome we got here that has really stood out to us. - Deirdre Murtagh
I suppose tourism is a huge economic driver for me. That's one of our most important business sectors, really, in Meath. So it's a huge focus for us - Majella Farrell
KEYWORDS #BoyneAdventure #MeathTourism #ExperientialTravel #HalloweenBirthplace #LocalEconomyGrowth

The future of Meath’s civil society hinges on the participation and democratic investment of its younger citizens. The engine of our society—Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012—has often struggled to make the crucial connection between voting and the decisions that directly impact their lives. 
With almost 70% of unregistered voters under the age of 34, there is a significant push to ensure every eligible young voice is heard.
This episode dives into the national perspective on engaging with this vital demographic, detailing efforts to modernize the electoral register and combat misinformation. 
We explore how digital platforms like TikTok are being used to reach future voters and highlight the local work happening to nurture young democratic interest.
Joining host Elaine Keogh are Art O’Leary, the Chief Executive at the Electoral Commission, and the Meath County Council register of electors team members Sheila Sheridan and Sharon McElroy, who detail how young people are actively shaping their county.
THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT
Engaging Gen Z and the voting challenge
Digital engagement and pre-registration push
Combating electoral misinformation globally
Meath register team's role and data cleansing
Comhairle na nÓg's right to switch off
QUOTES
We want everybody who's eligible to vote to be on the electoral register. - Art O'Leary
People need to inform the registration authority about these changes... each person is responsible to ensure that they're registered to vote and that their information is up to date. - Sheila Sheridan
If we write to you inviting you to verify your registration details, please don't ignore this request, as you risk being removed from the register… - Sharon McElroy
KEYWORDS #YouthEngagement #VotingRights #ElectoralIntegrity #MeathDemocracy #RegisterCheck
MORE INFORMATION
Local government affects almost every aspect of our daily lives, yet many remain unsure how decisions are actually made. 
We dive into the delivery of over one thousand services and the vital role of your elected representatives. 
Discover how local democracy functions behind the scenes in Meath. Listen to the full episode. Search “Local Lens” on your podcast app now.
Visit our website;  meath.ie
This podcast was produced by dustpod.io

How can we live our best and longest life?  It is a question that we all ponder as we age.

This episode looks at what is happening in county Meath, and nationally, to help us to ‘age in place’ and as recommended by the World Health Organisation.

Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer, Age Friendly Ireland which is a shared service across the 31 local authorities in Ireland and hosted nationally by Meath County Council, talks about her work and why the voices of older people are so important.

We also hear how Meath County Council is providing for older residents and what the council is doing to contribute to, and enable, a decent quality of life for our older people. 

Also in studio are Valerie McHugh Age Friendly Meath Programme Manager and Brian Hora, Senior Executive Officer, in the Community Dept with Meath County Council.

And we hear from Darren Kelly, Branch Manager, Tirlán, Athboy about what it has done to be age friendly, and an older person visits the store and shares her thoughts on it.
The Meath County Council Community Department can be contacted by emailing community@meathcoco.ie.

As Local Enterprise Week approaches, this episode of Local Lens takes you inside Thrive – Meath County Council’s new Centre of Business Excellence and the county’s most ambitious step yet in delivering seamless, strategic support to businesses of all sizes.
Located beside Buvinda House, Thrive brings every major business support team under one roof. From Economic Development and the Local Enterprise Office to Climate Action, Broadband, Tourism Development and the Centre for Food Culture, it is designed to be — in the words of Director of Economic Development Dara McGowan — “not just a one‑stop shop, but a first and only stop shop for business supports in Meath.”
In this episode, host Elaine Keogh explores how Thrive is already strengthening Meath’s enterprise landscape, attracting new investment, and providing practical, responsive support to established businesses.
In This Episode
A tour through Thrive and what it means for enterprise in Meath
How Boyne Valley Flavours elevates Meath’s food producers and culinary heritage
Why peer networks matter — and how collaboration makes businesses stronger
The story behind the MeathMade creative cluster and its growing impact
How Thrive supports everything from FDI to micro‑enterprises through centralised expertise and sector‑specific networks
Featuring
Dara McGowan, Director of Economic Development, Meath County Council
Rebecca Meade, Food Development Officer, Boyne Valley Flavours
Áine Farrelly, Urbo Milk
Caoimhe Delany, Local Enterprise Office Meath
Anita Reynolds, Designer and Chairperson of MeathMade
Voices From the Opening of Thrive
This episode also includes highlights from the official opening of Thrive, featuring remarks from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment and reactions from Meath‑based businesses benefiting from this new centre.
Why Listen
If you’re a business owner, creative, food producer, investor or simply curious about how Meath is shaping its economic future, this episode offers practical insights, real stories, and a behind‑the‑scenes look at the county’s newest engine for growth.
Thrive is where services meet strategy — and where enterprise in Meath is being future‑proofed.