About
Céide Coast Community Company
Our Mission
Céide Coast Community Company (CCCC) limited by guarantee was established is to achieve community development while reversing rural depopulation, social isolation and economic decline of the Ceide Coast region in North Mayo. This will be achieved through the promotion of employment opportunities and development of infrastructure and social amenities by the provision of trails, coastal walks, development of heritage programmes, and promotion of sustainable development that includes the advancement of environmental sustainability and cultural awareness through campaigns and inter-generational training and events.
About CCCC
Ballycastle in Co. Mayo is based on the North coastline of the county, a 26km drive from Ballina. There are notable local landmarks in the parish, for example, the Céide Fields and Dún Bríste. The parish, like many, has been in a slow decline for decades (even centuries) peaking at a pre-famine population of 7,000 to its current population of approximately 350. The Céide Coast Community Company (CCCC) was formed 5 years ago with the ambition to reverse this decline and help reinvigorate the economy of Ballycastle. This is Ballycastle people saying that Ballycastle’s fortunes will be addressed by Ballycastle people.
The Ceide Coast Community have made great progress in recent years. One of our landmark projects, the refurbishment of the old secondary school has completed its Phase 1 and now sees:
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An Eco Campus with visiting colleges such as Lovett College Atlanta USA, TUD and NUIG
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A community space and an office space which is used for renewable, environmental and agricultural training, education and awareness.
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A second landmark project plans to establish a coastal walk from Dún Bríste to the Céide Fields; some 13.5km connecting the 2 landmarks and which has been another project we’ve been working on and are close to completion. This landmark project would open up the spectacular Ballycastle coastline to the public and be a tourist attraction that would easily match the Giants Causeway in Co. Antrim. Indeed, with some vision and imagination, it could be extended westwards and eastwards providing Mayo with its very own version of the Camino Trail.
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Other plans include a Community Solar Development, a Tidal Pool at Killerduff Pier and an Astro Turf All Weather Pitch.