Fermanagh and Omagh District Council hosts a rural engagement event titled Championing Rural Communities: Vision, Voice and Action. The event takes place on Thursday, March 26, at Newtownbutler Community Centre. It runs from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, with registration and refreshments from 7pm.

Councillor Barry McElduff, chair of the council, said 77 per cent of residents live outside Omagh and Enniskillen. He stated rural areas face distance from services and need resilience, enterprise and community spirit. McElduff said the event offers a chance for people to share experiences and ideas to bolster rural life. He added that government departments should pay attention to input from attendees.

Participants include Mary T Conway of Creggan Community Association and Omagh Forum for Rural Associations, Benny Hurl as Cathaoirleach of Tír Eoghan, Dr Peter Horgan as Rúnaí of Páirc an Chrócaigh, Alexander Kinnear of Ulster Farmers Union, Francis McCarron of Monaghan Integrated Development, and Sinead McEvoy, director of regeneration and planning at the council.

Louise Cullen, agriculture and environment media correspondent, facilitates the panel discussions.

The event targets community groups, voluntary organisations, businesses, statutory agencies and residents. Spaces remain available. Attendees must RSVP to ruralcommunitiesevent@fermanaghomagh.com.