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Many changes to our way of going out for a drink or a bite to eat introduced courtesy of the Covid-19 pandemic could well be here to stay.
It could be argued that it was after the smoking ban when some Newry bars looked at novel ways of incorporating their outdoor space to make it feel like an indoor space but for many it was the pandemic that spurred them into action. It has also contributed to a change in thinking what you should wear with warm clothes and coats an essential addition to any night out now!
Outdoor areas at the Brass Monkey, Catholic Workingman's Club, Canal Court, Magees, The Bank, Bellinis, McSwiggans, Nan Rices, Railway Bar, The Bridge, The Oliver to name some, are more popular than ever and in many cases more used than the venue's indoor seating.
The key test will be how, or if premises adjust to the coming Winter. Some already have heaters and enough covering to keep the worst of the wind or rain away but others may well need to invest.
Something Newry venues haven't embraced is outdoor dining despite Covid-19 regulations which prohibited it indoors at different stages. Yes some Café's have put a couple of tables outside their doors but it is more a token gesture rather than an 'outdoor dining experience'
A full year after Newry, Mourne and Down Council agreed to issue Pavement Café Licence's free for the first 12 Months, as far as we are aware, not one Newry venue has been issued with the Licence and it is only in the past month or so that local applications have been made.
Parklets are another trend that haven't hit Newry yet although at least one premises is investigating the possibility. Provision of Parklets make sense when pavement space outside premises is limited. The Parklet, a wooden structure with seating and tables and usually plants, replaces two car park spaces outside a Café or Restaurant and is part of a worldwide trend where people are reclaiming their cities and towns from traffic.
One local village that has embraced the outdoor dining experience wholeheartedly is Carlingford where every restuaurant or café has a comfortable area outside for dining, in many cases changing what was dead space where cars parked for hours to space that people can enjoy.
The full story still has to play out and where this journey takes us is unknown but you can be sure that nothing will be quite the same as pre 2019 - but it may just be better!
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Following an Active Travel Zoom meeting earlier this year with DFI Minister Nichola Mallon, Newry.ie decided to look at the two 'half finished' cycle routes that exist in Newry City and to examine how they could be improved and made fit for purpose. At present apart from the Towpath and Greenway routes which serve recreational use more than practical there are no safe cycling routes in Newry, a city of 27,000 people.
The two routes are the Armagh Road and the Warrenpoint Road. The Armagh Road path starts on the footpath at Damolly Retail Park but quickly joins the road with just a white line separating you from the traffic. It then abrubtly ends at Barrack Street leaving you at the mercy of motorists from there on. Many times this writer has taken his life in his hands cycling up Canal Street hill from the traffic lights, with impatient motorists regularly overtaking when there isn't the space then swerving in when an oncoming car gets in their way. We have suggested three potential routes for the continuation of this path, down Canal Street, through Barrack Street and Mourneview Park and through Erskine Street.
The Warrenpoint Road path doesn't reach Greenbank which considering the number of people who work there and travel by bicycle is fairly ridiculous.
We submitted our proposed routes to the Department for Infrastructure but would love to hear your alternative suggestions for these two routes and also suggestions for other routes that could or should be in place.
Our route destination of both of these paths is a central path that would link Newry Canal Towpath with the Carlingford Lough Greenway which we detailed in a previous post Linking Newry Canal Towpath with Greenway the idea being that you could easily get from one end of Newry to the other and everywhere in-between on a safe path that would serve thousands of schoolchildren and workers and most importantly, a cycle route that you would feel safe letting your children use.
We believe it would not be a major job to complete the Warrenpoint Road one off-road with footpath widths quite substantial. The Armagh Road one could easily be made safer at least as far as Barrack Street by widening the footpath and put down markings to cater for pedestrians and cyclists. After that road widths make things more difficult but an imaginative solution is a necessity.
Please check through images and captions below to see our proposals. We would love to hear your proposals. Feel free to add your comments on our Facebook and Twitter pages or email us on news@newry.ie
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Newry, Mourne and Down Council have no intention of building a 15 acre park at the Albert Basin.
There, sadly that's my considered opinion at this present point of time. Now I've got that off my chest do I feel better? No I certainly don't, in fact I feel really angry. Despite a promise in 2017 to build a 15 acre park at the Albert Basin we are no further on in realising that dream.
Being a very positive kind of person I really wanted to believe that everyone from senior management right down to our local Councillors were all singing from the same hymn sheet and working at full tilt towards creating a wonderful park. A park that Newry people could be proud of, a green space that would be the catalyst for so many wonderful things to happen for our city.
Sadly it seems all Council want is their Civic Centre/ Council Offices, and no matter how long I scratch my head I can't see that being a catalyst for anything wonderful in Newry. Yes the Theatre possibly, but Council offices are not going to lead to a renewed love of or interest in Newry, which is what we all need. I'm not saying don't build new offices, I'm saying priorities need to be right, especially in this time of pandemic when green space is infinitely more important than buildings.
What has led me to this analysis? If Council really wanted a Park they would already have it built by now, or at least had a good start made but apart from that there are plenty of other indicators. The latest one came yesterday with the publishing of minutes from Monday's special SP&R meeting which discussed the park. Listening to the audio of the meeting on Monday I had tried to work out exactly what was said by the Chair when she explained the decisions made in the behind closed doors discussion on the park, but audio was intermittent. Realising a misplaced comma in text can entirely change its meaning I contacted Council to send me the correct text but they just referred me back to the published audio. My translation of the audio and possibly other Councillors translation was that they had agreed to complete an outline business case for the park, but as always the devil is in the detail and the only conclusion I can reach after reading the OFFICIAL Council text published yesterday is the only business case mentioned is to appoint an economist .. AN ECONOMIST!
The Minutes re Albert Basin Park (SP&R Meeting Monday 27 Sept)
"To complete a business case to allow for: the appointment of an economist to complete an outline business case (OBC) for the Albert Basin City Park, to identify a preferred option and appoint a consultant team to provide design and cost information to support the completion of the OBC.
Please let me know what you make of the above. What on earth does it mean? It's a head wrecking read - Do a business case to do a business case .. what on earth! All I see is another brazen attempt to delay yet again anything that could possibly mean they would have to actually build a park. If they were intent on doing that surely the text would read "It was agreed to complete an Outline Business Case for the Albert Basin Park"
Four years after Councillors unanimously agreed to build a park at the Albert Basin, nothing has been done. Most tellingly this week Council have agreed a fund of £132.4M for projects including the Civic Centre but to date just £150K has been approved for the park. An attempt on Monday by Councillors Jarlath Tinnelly and Patrick Brown to allocate £10M for the park was voted down by all the other Councillors present.
Newry not ready for a park?
But of course Newry's not ready for this yet, as one Councillor having their 'feeding crocodiles' moment at Monday's SP&R meeting compared putting money towards the park to giving a car to a 5 year old!
We certainly are more than ready for it, a place to rest and relax, a place to catch up with friends, a place to exercise, a place to enjoy nature, a place to celebrate life, a place in Newry to be proud of!
It really is impossible to know where the two main parties are. While some individuals within parties are full supporters of the project the party machines themselves are not so clear cut.
On Monday after this week's meeting Newry.ie got a press release from one of the parties about how wonderful everything was but we decided not to use it as so much of it was totally misleading.
I think some Councillors think the spin generated on Monday night will create the illusion that at last things are moving, but they don't seem to realise the days for spin are long gone and only action will work at this stage. What everyone was waiting for on Monday was at least a morsel of good news, but it never came.
Something signalling intent, possibly money allocated, a Pop Up Park on the site, news that Council were going to demolish the current fire - damaged building on the site or clear it of Council junk, but we are still waiting.
Will that signal of intent come before today's children have children of their own?
What can be done to ensure we get the park we were promised? Let us know what you think!
Columba O'Hare
OPINION
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The Directors of Newry.ie would like to wish everyone in our city and its beautiful surrounds a very happy and at this time, most importantly healthy 2022.
2021 has been a very challenging year. For those who have lost loved ones especially, we are thinking of you all and hope you can find peace and comfort in 2022. Like our photograph it has been a year lacking in colour in many ways but we can only hope things will get much better and much more colourful in the coming months for everyone. Lets hope our long awaited Park gets well under way in 22.
We would like to thank all who contributed in any way to our news page. We couldn't do this without our advertisers, funders and supporters.
Thanks to all who submit your news or keep us up to date with local happenings. You are a very important part of our team.
To our readers, we would would like to acknowledge that it's your support and input that has kept us going through good and bad. We would ask that you help us with your thoughts and ideas on what you would like to see on these pages, and please, please, if you have an event or news do share it with us and don't keep it to yourselves.
We know you love Newry as much as we do. Lets all help try to make it the absolute best it can be in 2022.
Happy New Year,
Gary and Columba.
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A refusal to grant planning permission for a large scale waste treatment facility by Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has been welcomed by Newry based company Re-Gen Waste.
Minister Mallon explained her grounds for refusal “My priorities for this assembly mandate were to improve lives, connect communities, grow a balanced economy and tackle the climate emergency. In respect of the latter, I am committed to climate action, and promoting recycling is an important aspect in that regard. This development could result in an increased market for waste disposal and to maintain a facility such as this, in addition to the other approved waste facilities, could discourage recycling. I am not persuaded that there is a need for this specific facility. In that context I do not consider there to be any need for this proposal."
Joseph Doherty, Managing Director at Re-Gen Waste, said, “I welcome the Infrastructure Minister’s announcement on the planning application for the incinerator at Mallusk. I believe that increased targets in recycling, technological innovation, capacity in the current system and changes in Government policy mean that there is no need for the incinerator proposed by arc21 with such a large capacity.
“The Environment Strategy which Edwin Poots, Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, approved on 24 March sets ambitious recycling targets for Northern Ireland. For example, the recycling of drinks containers is to increase from 70 per cent to 90 per cent by 2028, packaging recycling is to increase from 60 per cent to 78 per cent by 2030, and the overall UK recycling target is 76 per cent by 2030. These targets are welcomed by Re-Gen Waste especially as they are linked to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“There have been tremendous developments in recycling over the last 5-10 years and Re-Gen has significant plans to make products from recyclables in the future. Our in-house R&D Team is working on paper, glass and plastic projects that will bolster jobs, investment and economic activity in Newry.
“Re-Gen isn’t against Energy from Waste facilities. On the contrary, we are proud that we can manufacture refuse derived fuel for export and will continue to sell material to effective combined heat and power plants in Norway and Sweden, until local recycling techniques are developed to recover this material. We’ve carried out extensive research on the carbon cost per tonne of transporting fuel. The costs are more than offset by the very high level of energy recovered in the highly advanced plants in Scandinavia. Despite suggestions to the contrary, this solution is both environmentally responsible in terms of CO2 emissions and provides a cost effective solution when compared with the arc21 Waste to Energy plant.
“We believe that there is greater scope for innovation by keeping the material in shorter contracts. Investing in the recycling and waste management industry – through technology and developing processes – is the future. This will enable Northern Ireland Councils to maximise the value in economic activity, job creation and carbon in the long term.
“The Minister’s decision creates opportunities for Northern Ireland to be a centre of excellence for products from waste. I hope that Re-Gen will be at the forefront of these developments.”
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Today I decided to 'climb' Bulls Hill in Newry in support of the Climb with Charlie initiative started by fellow media man Charlie Bird who has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
It was refreshing to see that I wasn't the only person that had the same idea, with at least two others conquering Newry's steepest road. It really is a tough walk, and anyone who can run up it in one go gets my respect completely.
It may have taken me 20 minutes but I got there in the end, and in my defence that did include stopping for a bit of a chat!
Apparantly it is the only road in Newry which you can't cycle up, as the front wheel of the bike lifts! That's a new bit of information I heard on the way up!
Both the Climb with Charlie and Climb for Donna fundraisers were held today along with many more people throughout the country doing their own climb and raising funds to help find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease! There is still time to support, even if it's just climbing your stairs a few times.
Charlie Bird's campaign has already raised over a million and a half Euro and today he succeeded in climbing Croagh Patrick along with hundreds of other supporters. Locally almost a thousand joined the Climb for Donna fundraiser up Camlough Mountain in support of Newry woman Donna Sloan who also has Motor Neurone Disease.
I've made a small contribution to both fundraisers. If any of you would like to support either of these worthy causes please click on the links below.
CLIMBWITHCHARLIE.IE - Funds raised will go to Irish Motor Neurone Association and Pieta
DONNASLOAN - Funds raised will go towards a fund to find a cure for Donna with a percentage towards Climb with Charlie
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With Argos moving out of their Merchants Quay premises in Newry today, 5 April, perhaps it offers the chance at long last for the present owners to restore the building to be much more sympathetic to its setting. (Argos is moving to new premises in Sainsbury's at The Quays).
Only in Newry would an old 1800's building that's facing the double jewel of the beautiful Newry Canal and the Clanrye River, have it's front facing windows and doors boarded up. And on that topic, only in Newry would the corrugated metal TK Max building with no aesthetically pleasing features whatsoever have been allowed next door!
Newry's Merchant's Quay has had an inferiority complex for many decades. The home of many of our City's outstanding buildings, previous unbelievable planning decisions have contributed majorly to the areas demise. Thankfully though things are starting to progress in the right direction with the Custom House rennovation and the stunning restoration last year of 15 Merchant's Quay, now called Commercial House.
A development on the corner of Merchant's Quay and Cornmarket also has promise in improving the look of the area, but only if planners, developers and council can overcome a car parking impasse. On the one hand we are being told to indulge more in active travel and make more use of public transport, while on the other hand we are told we need more car park spaces. And that's in a city that is overflowing with car parks!
The Argos building isn't listed but 38 and 39 Merchant's Quay dates from 1840-1859 and was formerly a warehouse in the time when the canal was still in use. The Department for Communities website explains that only the front wall survives from the original structure with everything else having been demolished and rebuilt with modern materials. The building is directly opposite a weighbridge on the Canal side of Merchant's Quay which may also have been associated with the premises.
The building is listed in an 1863 valuation as being leased by William B Glenny to Alexander Arbuthnot and John Nesbitt (no.38) and Hugh J Wallace (no 39).
What a beautiful landmark building it could be if the windows and doors were opened up and access was encouraged from the front.
Let's hope it's not another victim of a demolition team's wrecking ball. Although nowadays wrecking balls aren't used, instead there's a preference to nibble away at the structure until it's all gone. Perhaps that's a good explanation of what has been happening far too much in Newry City over the years, with our heritage slowly but surely being 'nibbled' away!
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The potential of the park at the Albert Basin in Newry has long been recognised by locals and visitors alike but few have been able to put words down to express that potential like local woman Mary Gallagher.
Gallagher imagines that the park has already happened being started several years ago, and goes on to list the incredible knock on benefits that it could have for our area. None of them would be impossible to attain. In fact with the beauty of the Albert Basin area looking down Newry Canal towards Carlingford they all could be easily attainable along with much much more besides!
Sadly even though Council unanimously voted to build a 15 acre city park on the site in 2017, virtually nothing has happened since.
£16M was allocated by the Department of Finance in December but instead of it being the starting gun to build a world class park at 'full tilt' it appears that not even £16 million will speed up this project.
Council produced an Outline Business Case earlier this month which suggests a park could be on the site by 2027/ 2028 although it taking £16 million to grass up some areas, plant some trees, put in some paths and provide a childrens playground seems rather overpriced. Many of the things mentioned in a Council Consultation aren't even mentioned - Marina, Opening Bridge, Skateboard Park, Visitors Centre, linkage to Warrenpoint road - In fact probably all the items that could make it a 'World Class Park'.
Mary Gallagher's Dream:
Imagine if you can, that the park was started 5/10 years ago ….. the trees in the Park are now tall and lush, the Rhododendrons and roses rival those in Rowallane at Saintfield and Thomas and Lady Dixon park. ….
The Marina is full of boats and we are about to have our ‘Annual Regatta’ … The Rowing Club has a week long of ‘anniversary’ of events planned with Rowers coming from all over Europe and USA ( they are staying newly built holiday appartments overlooking the Basin……
The summer programme for the Exhibition Centre is fully booked . The BBC and RTÉ have set up new studios in the Conference Centre to cope with the demand for locally based programmes .
There’s a big skateboarding competition planned for August… those holiday appartments are fully booked again …
James Mc Areavey is now welcoming visitors to the new Maritime Museum and European visitors are coming to see how we have managed to reclaim our canal and build walkways, cafes, running tracks, while providing for and protecting our heritage and natural environment . ….
There’s a new opening Bridge now over the River and Canal and people come from far and near to see it all lit up at night…. The illuminations are world class …
It’s now May 2022….. I am still dreaming , ….. methinks that the money Conor Murphy promised has been sidelined /syphoned off for wee bits of ‘other projects’ here and there? The Lord only knows…
….. in the meantime… I will just continue to dream 
……….and dream…..
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So many questions and so few answers from this great photo from Brian O'Hare taken in Patrick Street, Newry this morning.
It's not often you see a tree trunk in the middle of the road without the rest of the tree close by, or even a gap where the tree used to be!
Witty answers and/or explanations greatly appreciated.
We want to get to the root of the issue!
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