SECAD Partnership marked the start of Local Development Week 2026 with a special community tree planting in Dungourney, East Cork, bringing together the local community, local enterprise and the next generation.
The event, held on 28 September, brought together representatives of Dungourney Community Council, Leahy’s Open Farm, Dungourney National School and SECAD Partnership – a fitting reflection of this year’s Local Development Week theme, “Local Action, Lasting Impact.”
Running from 28 September to 2 October 2026, Local Development Week celebrates the contribution of local development organisations and the power of locally-led action to strengthen communities, create opportunities and improve people’s lives.
Local development in action in Dungourney
Dungourney provides a great example of how investment, community involvement and long-term local partnerships can create lasting impact.
Over the years, SECAD Partnership has supported the development of Leahy’s Open Farm through the LEADER Programme, helping a local family business develop into a popular visitor attraction and an important part of East Cork’s tourism offering.
The local playground is another example of community-led development. Work on the project began in 2014, driven by Anne Marie O’Callaghan and other members of Dungourney Community Council. Today, the playground is enjoyed by a new generation of local children – including some who were not yet born when the project began.
Planting for the next generation
The tree planting placed the next generation at the heart of the celebration, with 5th and 6th class pupils from Dungourney National School helping to plant the new tree.
With guidance from Liam Dunleavy of Dungourney Community Council, the pupils also took part in a hands-on lesson about biodiversity, tree planting and how to give a newly planted tree the best possible start.
The event continued SECAD’s “30 Trees for 30 Years” initiative, launched in 2025 to mark 30 years of working in partnership with communities across the SECAD area.
SECAD would like to thank Anne Marie O’Callaghan, Liam Dunleavy and Michael McCarthy of Dungourney Community Council; Teresa O’Leahy of Leahy’s Open Farm; the pupils and teachers of Dungourney National School; and SECAD Partnership staff who took part in the event.
One more tree planted in East Cork – and a lasting reminder of what Local Action, Lasting Impact can look like in practice.
