Cllr Antóin Watters

I will be holding a weekly constituency clinic in the Redeemer FRC from Thursday 5th March 10am - 12:30pm If you have any issues to be addressed feel free to drop by. You can also give me a call on 0874165157 or email Antoin.watters@louthcoco.ie

‼️‼️Reminder Public Consultation 3 on proposed Dundalk Bay to Carlingford Greenway‼️‼️ Public Consultation No. 3 (Emerging Preferred Route Corridor) will close for submissions this Friday 27th February 2026. Please see the below link to the project website- dundalkcarlingfordgreenway.i…

🍀🇮🇪 **St. Patrick’s Day Parade!** 🇮🇪🍀 Join us on St Patrick’s Day for the St Patricks Day Parade! 🚜 Parade from The Bush – **1PM** 🏁 Arrive Cooley Kickhams – **2PM** 🎶 Music & Kids Disco It’s set to be a brilliant day for all ages – bring the family and wear your green!☘️

Louth County Council announces 2026 Gaeltacht Scholarship Scheme Louth County Council is inviting applications from second-level students for its 2026 Gaeltacht Scholarship Scheme. Following the high level of interest in last year’s initiative, the Council has increased the number of scholarships available for 2026. Under the scheme, 15 scholarships, valued at €300 each, will be awarded to students from Louth who attend a Gaeltacht College this year. Applications are welcome from students of all Irish language abilities. The closing date for applications is 4.30pm on Friday, 27 February 2026. Scholarship recipients will be selected by random draw and announced during Seachtain na Gaeilge. Successful students and their parents/guardians will be invited to a special event in County Hall, where they will receive their scholarship and a Certificate of Award from the Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr Seán Kelly, and the Chief Executive of Louth County Council, David Conway. The 2026 Gaeltacht Scholarship Scheme is funded by Louth County Council as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting and promoting the Irish language. For more information and to apply, visit consult.louthcoco.ie.

🎉🚧 Road Works Programme 2026 —confirmed this evening 🚧🎉 Delighted to see significant funding secured for road improvements across our area next year: ✅Bellurgan Straight (Safe route to school) — 250m (€120,000) ✅The Bush–Riverstown — 1.3km (€550,000) ✅Little Ash (to county boundary) — 4.7km (€90,860) ✅Balrobin to Kilkerley Church — 1.7km (€33,302) ✅Tateetra (Grannies Bridge to motorway) — 1.27km (€24,447) ✅Dungooly (3 sections) — 12km total (€231,000) ✅Muchgrange–Cooley Inn — 400m (€40,000) ✅Millgrange — 1.15km (€28,750) ✅Rathcor — 2km (€50,000) ✅Ravensdale Park — 1.1km (€27,500) ✅Blackgate — 1km (€42,000) ✅Willville — 2km (€105,000) ✅Tankardsrock–Kilkerley Church — 1km (€29,250) ✅Killin Bridge–Bridge a Crinn — 675m (€29,175) Additional safety highlights: ✔ Speed cushions at Lordship graveyard ✔ €35,000 crash barrier at Maguire’s Cross, Riverstown ✔ €60,000 for renewed road markings across North Louth I’ll continue pushing to make sure progress like this keeps coming.

✅✅ Works are now underway in Bellurgan on the Safe Routes to School project. The works are expected to last between 16 and 20 weeks and may involve rolling traffic lights and other temporary traffic controls as different stages are completed. I’ll keep you informed throughout the process. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me on 087 416 5157.

✅✅New EV Charging Point available in Greenore ✅✅ 🔌 Louth County Council Weev-operated Charge Point is now live and ready for public use on Anglesey Terrace. 📍 maps.app.goo.gl/j7stznDSohw1…

Delighted that the emergency rock armour in Ballagan has been completed today ahead of the Christmas break. There are still some drainage and erosion issues to be resolved in the New Year, and I’ll continue to work alongside my colleague, Councillor Fiona Mhic Conchoille, to see these addressed. Many thanks to Louth County Council operations team for the prompt action.

✅✅✅Bellurgan NS Update ✅✅✅ Delighted to get confirmation this afternoon that Davis Civil Engineering have been awarded the contract for the Safe Routes to School Project at Bellurgan National School. This has been a long road for many in the community and fantastic to confirm that the works will be starting after the Christmas break. It has taken some time with the procurement process but looking forward to the works starting.

‼️Dundalk MD Meeting – Key Clarifications ‼️ Last night’s meeting highlighted major confusion around the proposed greenway, with mixed messages being presented as fact. The FFG Councillors and Government reps have been as clear as mud on the issue. Here are the facts: ➡️ A Dundalk MD motion cannot pause or stop the greenway. ➡️ All decisions — including land acquisition and any CPOs — are made by TII and the Government, not Louth County Council. ➡️ Claims that the project will go through a Part 8 process are incorrect. Because real decisions lie at national level, I wrote on Monday, 8th December to: The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Transport, and Ministers Canney, Buttimer & Calleary. I formally requested: ✔️ A pause on the project ✔️ A meeting between Ministers and a delegation of residents, farmers & elected reps Your concerns need to be heard by those with the authority to act. To avoid further confusion, I sought to withdraw the Dundalk MD motion until we get clarification on the Council Executive’s actual powers. It could then be submitted as an emergency motion at Monday’s Full Council meeting. FF and FG voted against this proposal. I know this process is causing real stress for families across the Peninsula. My focus is ensuring accurate information and accountability at every step. I’ll update you as soon as the Ministers respond.

Huge thanks to the Louth County Council out of hours team who are on site working to clear the Shore Road in Ballagan. Road should be back open in the coming hours.

UPDATE: Louth will now fall under a Status Orange Wind Alert, which will come into effect from 11am this morning (Tuesday). Storm Bram will bring very strong to gale force southerly winds with severe gusts. Impacts: 🔘 Flooding of low-lying coastal areas, especially during high tide 🔘 Wave overtopping 🔘 Difficult travel conditions 🔘 Debris, loose objects displaced 🔘 Outdoor events impacted 🔘 Power outages Valid: 11.00 Tuesday 09/12/2025 to 21:00 Tuesday 09/12/2025

Met Éireann has issued a nationwide Status Yellow Wind Warning, which will be in effect from 3am until 9pm on Tuesday, 9th December. Storm Bram will bring very strong and gusty southerly winds with gales possible near coasts. ➡️ louthcoco.ie/!49WHNZ You can contact me on 0874165167 if you need any assistance.

Yesterday evening a large crowd gathered on Kelly’s Road for the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of Volunteers Sean Campbell & Jim Lochrie It was an honour for me to chair the event, where we heard a powerful and emotional reflection of the life and times of Jim and Sean from their friend and comrade Packie McDonald. "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam"