Write a comment
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have provided an update on their actions before and after Storm Éowyn which caused extensive damage to the district in the early hours of Friday Morning, 24 January. While most of the districts parks are now open, work at Castlewellan Forest Park is ongoing and it remains closed.
Council opened their five leisure centres and six community centres across the district, setting up Community Drop-in Centres since Saturday. These centres provided a lifeline for over 200 residents, offering warm spaces, hot drinks, device charging, and shower facilities.
For those still without power, they have also launched a new initiative to provide blankets, hot soup and sandwiches ensuring those most affected by power outages or other disruptions are cared for during this critical period. Members of the community who are still without power and who require non-medical support, such as community transport to access the Council’s Drop-in Centres, referrals should be made to their support team by calling 0330 137 4019 or emailing: communitysafety@nmandd.org
Yesterday the Council established Work from Home Hubs in Downpatrick and Newry, enabling business continuity during the recovery phase.
In advance of the storm, the Council activated their Emergency Response Plan, proactively closing all Council facilities on Friday, ensuring the safety of staff and residents. Throughout the storm, they maintained continuous coordination with multi-agency partners, prioritising public safety and addressing urgent issues.
The damage to forest parks was extensive but ongoing work has seen the re-opening of Kilbroney Forest Park, Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Warrenpoint Park and Delamont Country Park.
Castlewellan Forest Park has suffered significant damage, particularly around the lake and the arboretum. For public safety the park will remain closed until further notice to allow assessment of damage and clearance of the pathway and trail network. In relation to the National Lottery Heritage funded project – the restoration of Castlewellan Arboretum and Annesley Garden - the Council is working with the contractor to assess damage to the project elements. Once assessments have been completed, a recovery plan will be considered.
In addition, the Kilbroney Park forest drive, community walking trails, and mountain bike trails remain closed due to extensive damage. The public is urged to refrain from entering these areas until updates are provided on their re-opening.
Refuse collection services have also resumed to normal schedules and all leisure, arts and community centres and museums have also re-opened.
Expressing gratitude to everyone across the district – including emergency responders, community leaders, and Council staff who have played a vital role in responding to Storm Éowyn, Cllr Pete Byrne, Chairperson, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said: "This storm has been one of the most severe we’ve faced in recent years, and as first citizen of this district, I want to extend my deepest appreciation to all who have worked tirelessly during the storm and continue to assist with the ongoing recovery efforts.
“We welcome the announcement by the Department for Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA regarding the funding package to support residents and vulnerable citizens across our district who are experiencing ongoing difficulties caused by Storm Éowyn.
“This much-needed funding will enable the Council to continue working collaboratively with multi-agency, statutory, voluntary, and community partners to deliver practical support to those most affected. By providing access to warm facilities, blankets, tea and coffee, we aim to offer immediate relief and reassurance to our residents during this challenging recovery period.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners to maximise the impact of this funding, ensuring it is allocated efficiently and effectively to support those most in need."
Cllr Byrne concluded “I extend my heartfelt thanks to our staff, multi-agency partners, and the public for their resilience and cooperation during this challenging time.”
