Killala Community Council has teamed up with Pennsylvania State University and the University of Galway to survey the population of Killala and the surrounding area.

Over the coming weeks the survey will be delivered to every home in the area by a team of volunteers to coincide with elections to the Community Council.

Chairman of the Community Council John Munnelly said: “We’re proud of our democracy here in Killala. We hope people with ambitions to improve the town and the area around it come forward to represent their area at the council.”

“We’re delighted that Penn State University have returned to survey Killala again decades after they did the first survey under the guidance of the late Sean Hannick, who was a giant of community work here.”

Professor Mark A Brennan of Penn State University is no stranger to Mayo. He is leading the research with colleagues from the University of Galway. He is also UNESCO Chair in Community, Leadership and Youth Development.

Prof Brennan said: “It’s a real pleasure to be back in Mayo. I hope our research in Killala will help the people of Killala to shape the future of their town and their local area in a way that benefits them and their children. Our first Killala survey was in 1986 and we did one again in 2003 and they have been very useful in helping the people of Killala to plan the future for their area.”

Killala Community Council election ballots and the Killala and You survey will be delivered to homes in the area in the week after May 25. Ballots and surveys will be collected on or after June 9 or can be left at Killala Community Centre or Killala Post Office.