Mine a boost for Kilkenny

The Galmoy mine has given a well-needed economic boost to the north Kilkenny area, not least through the creation of 350 jobs during peak construction, more than 130 direct jobs, and up to 50 indirect jobs. However, many locals believe the benefits of the plant are unevenly spread with larger, regional towns faring best.

Galmoy farmer Mrs Frances Phelan says few local people have been employed at the mine, and that most managerial positions have been filled by experienced candidates from outside the county or from abroad.

There is no feeling that the village has been rejuvenated by the project. The population of Galmoy remains low with no more than about a dozen families still living there. The number of teachers at the local school was this year reduced to two.

Mr Billy Mansfield, who lives five miles north of Galmoy in Rathdowney, Co Laois, admits expectations of "a mining boom" were too great.

"People set their sights too high. They expected places to be transformed. But it turned out a lot of people were unsuitable for the type of work available at the mine. Having said that, we're very pleased to have any employment in the area," he says.

An auctioneer and Fine Gael councillor, Mr Mansfield says spin-off activity has benefited services and property, in particular. During the construction of the mine, his firm rented 44 houses to temporary Galmoy workers, and since operations began he has sold seven houses to employees.

However, he says, "Kilkenny has benefited most from Galmoy. A lot of people are attracted to the larger towns which would have better facilities".

Seven miles south of Galmoy is Urlingford, located on the main Dublin-Cork road. Local businessman and member of the Urlingford Action Group, Mr Jim Campion, said the opening of the mine has coincided with an upsurge "in interest and pride in the town".

Among those which have benefited economically from the plant, he says, are restaurants, filling stations, electrical contractors and small engineering firms.

Plans are in train for a 62house complex in Urlingford, which is aimed at the mining market at both Galmoy and the new lead/zinc plant in Lisheen, Co Tipperary, where up to 300 people will be directly employed.

While most locals view Kilkenny as the main beneficiary of the Galmoy mine, business people in the town are not so sure. Ms Joan Williams, director of the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce says the mine has not had a significant impact on the town.

"It is difficult to quantify. But it seems there has been no marked increase in activity because of the mine," she says.

A number of local towns which feel they missed out on the Galmoy boom are hoping to avoid the same outcome in the case of Lisheen.

Templemore in Co Tipperary is one such town, where the local chamber of commerce has presented a list of services to the management of Lisheen, which began construction last July.

Mr Martin Grey, chairman of the chamber, admits they have been "slower to react" than other towns. However, he is still "very hopeful that we can get 15 or 20 per cent of the services business out of the mines". Already, one cleaning firm in the town has won a contract at the new Co Tipperary plant, located just five miles from Galmoy.