April 13, 2026
business
Irish Emigrant Returns to Open Successful Café in Carrigallen
A proud Irishman who worked in Australian cafés returned home to Carrigallen and opened Morning Glory Café, inspired by the vibrant café culture he experienced abroad. Despite initial skepticism from locals, the café has thrived over two and a half years and won a Connacht Tourism Award for Best Newcomer in 2023, becoming a community hub for locals and visitors from surrounding counties.
Owner (name not provided), Jard Alexander
Morning Glory Café opened April 2023; won Best Newcomer award in 2023; nominated again in 2024 for Best Café. Located in Carrigallen.
"Inspiring story of an Irish emigrant who returned home and proved the doubters wrong by building a thriving business in a small rural town."
business
Açai Bowls Boom in Regional Cafés Following Australian Trend
Açai bowls have suddenly become ubiquitous across cafés in the Shannonside region, with Morning Glory Café in Carrigallen crediting their explosion in popularity to the introduction of the Brazilian berry-based dish about a year into operations. What the café owner initially dismissed as a fad has proven wildly popular with customers, selling thousands of bowls.
Morning Glory Café Owner, Jard Alexander
Açai bowls available at Morning Glory Café and multiple other cafés across the region. Topped with options including granola, blueberries, banana, peanut butter, and Nutella.
"Local café owner explains why açai bowls have taken over every café in the region—and how it went from suspected fad to thousands sold."
Council Decisions
Motions, planning and decisions from Leitrim County Council and Municipal District meetings mentioning Carrigallen.
Leitrim County Council
budget
2025-11-10
Capital Investment Programme 2026-2031 adopted; €650m investment planned with €27.8m local match funding
The Council adopted the Capital Investment Programme covering 2026-2031 (a 6-year projection), providing for €650m total investment across housing, roads, flood relief, economic development, recreation, environmental protection and corporate facilities. The programme requires €27.8m in local match funding over its lifespan. Notable achievements include Carrick-on-Shannon's 2025 National Tidy Town
Decision: Capital Investment Programme 2026-2031 adopted
Cllr Sean McGowan, Cllr James Gilmartin
Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District
motion
2025-11-10
Accessibility audit for Carrick-on-Shannon town
Councillor Cormac Flynn requested a comprehensive accessibility audit in Carrick-on-Shannon with a view to extending to all towns in the municipal district. The council reported that walkability audits were carried out in 2024 in Carrick Train Station and earlier in other towns, with 2026 audits planned for Dromahair and Carrigallen. Officers confirmed the last Carrick audit was in 2019 and noted
Decision: All members supported the motion. Council will prioritise new audits in Carrick-on-Shannon and Mohill, and will liaise with Access Earth CEO Matthew McCann regarding accessibility mapping of parking facilities.
Councillor Cormac Flynn, Councillor Irene Guckian Rabbitte, Councillor Maeve Reynolds
Leitrim County Council
appointment
2025-06-27
Election of Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council
Councillor Paddy O'Rourke completed his term as Cathaoirleach, reflecting on highlights including the All-Ireland winning Leitrim Ladies Intermediate team homecoming to Carrigallen and the Access to the Sea project in Tullaghan. Councillor Paddy Farrell was nominated by Cllr Sean McGowan and seconded by Cllr Mary Bohan, elected unanimously as Cathaoirleach for 2025/2026. Cllr Farrell noted he is t
Decision: Councillor Paddy Farrell elected Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council for 2025/2026
Cllr Paddy O'Rourke, Cllr Sean McGowan, Cllr Paddy Farrell, Cllr Mary Bohan