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Opinion
It's sometimes hard to work out at what stage of development the promised 15 acre Park at the Albert Basin in Newry is at! Has everyone really bought in to it?
Surely at a time when Newry appears to be 'on the up' it's the time for our officials and representatives to be 'blowing their trumpet' and shouting from the rooftops about this wonderful pending project, a game-changer for Newry City. No doubt the new Theatre complex and Civic centre have their supporters but on a scale of what's popular with the people of Newry there can only be one winner and that is the long awaited and long deserved park.
The provision of a beautiful park, a jewel in the crown of historic Newry is supported virtually unanimiously by the electorate and loved universally by all from baby's in arms to sprightly 95 year olds, though when it comes to those in charge it appears to be "The love that dare not speak its name"
How do we work that out you might ask? After all just on Monday of this week Council voted to approve the appointment of consultants - but where was the press statement from any of our Newry elected representatives praising and highlighting that hopefully significant step?
In a promotion in this months Agenda NI magazine with the hook "Small City - Big Vision" the Albert Basin Park was mentioned a total of zero times and unfortunately that's not unusual! The magazine article talks about the council's "ambitious regeneration strategy for growth and investment" and adds "The council's Regeneration and investment plan is a direct response to an assessment of need for the city and it is driven by the Council's vision of reinvigorating the historical core of the City Centre, with benefits to the wider District"
The article mentions the proposed Theatre and Conference faclities, the proposed Civic Hub and the proposed Southern Relief Road but alas not the proposed Albert Basin Park.
It's just one of many public proclaimations by Council in recent times about upcoming visionary projects in Newry that just happened to not mention the park, either carelessly or on purpose, you can decide that one yourself.
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I wish I could remember the day better but for whatever reason it has moved to an inaccessible part of my brain at present, hopefully to return when I'm old and grey, in the way we hear about older people re-living their youth as if it was the present. Perhaps I will start singing along with Bishop Casey on my 100th birthday!
The thirtieth of September 1979 was OUR day, or that's how it seemed. The Polish Pope John Paul II now St John Paul II had just been made pope the year earlier and had journeyed to Ireland as the very first pope ever to give us a shout.
I had been born just after Pope John XXIII had died and just before his successor Pope Paul VI was elected so calling down to see a Pope called John Paul was most appropriate.
The hazy bits I do remember are sitting freezing cold in the middle of the night at the Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway (it seemed to be in the stands, but whether it was or not I may never know).
Us young ones had been transported in a minibus from Loughgilly Parish, myself from Tullyherron end. Every parish in the country had put on buses in the same way thousands would go to Slane and it certainly did have a pop concert feel
When you remember the 'warm up act' was Bishop Eamonn Casey and Fr Michael Cleary singing 'Bind us Together' it really did sum it all up. Things would never be the same again ...
We arrived in total darkness with a great feeling of excitment and anticipation of what the day would bring.
When the Popes big red helicopter eventually did come hovering over us, the noise from the crowd was incredible.
During the Homily when Pope John Paul II uttered the words "I believe in Youth" as far as I was concerned he had said "I believe in YOU" Iit really did seem to my 16 year old self that he was telling me that personally and it felt incredible.
When that was followed by "Young People of Ireland - I Love You" the excitement level could not have got any higher. I can still remember the feeling of being part of something amazing and unrepeatable, and when the resulting applause went on, and on, and on, and on, and on ... we were sending Pope John Paul II the very same message back.
The famous Popemobile set out on it's journey through the crowd and all was well with the world.
Looking at the photographs I took on that day with my Kodak Instamatic, I'd like to think my photography has improved a little!?
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Cycle to Poyntzpass for Dinner
On a warm summers evening what better thing to do than turn off Boris TV, dust down the bicycles and take to the towpath en route to spend the Christmas meal voucher (Thanks Brian and Anne)
It was incredible how many were out this evening cycling, walking, jogging or just chatting. Anyone used to sitting in watching the TV would be amazed indeed at the numbers of seemingly sane people out in the fresh air.
A short spin down past WIN Industrial Estate in Newry and you're on to the towpath running along Newry Canal. It's tarred all the way to Portadown (or so I'm told) and as you'd expect of a path along a canal it's completely flat.
Even though the road to Poyntzpass goes up and down some quite serious hills, surprise surprise there is a flat alternative!
En route it's not long before you get caught up with the natural world around you. Two swans looking after what looks like three cygnets on the banks of Newry Canal after Jerrettspass, sets the tone.
The 9 short miles to Poyntzpass takes you through some beautiful scenery around Dromantine and Goraghwood.
Fifty five minutes later at a relaxed pace our two wheels have taken us to Poyntzpass and Rices Hotel for a bite to eat and a wee small glass of wine.
A bit of chat, delicious Vegetable Pakora and Goats Cheese Tart later and we are making our way merrily back to Newry.
Was that really a Deer we saw in a Barley field on the way home or was it the wine talking? You see the strangest things when out of an evening!
The homeward jaunt took an hour and ten minutes, fifteen minutes longer than the outward one. Leaving home just before six and getting back just before ten makes you realise just how lucky we are that we live somewhere with so many options to pass the time.
If you were bound for Newry on the Enterprise train and you saw two dapper cyclists waving at you, yes that was us.
Newry Canal towpath really is suitable for anyone whatever your age. Next time maybe a wee bite in Portadown perhaps ...
Top tips
Keep the canal to the left on the way home
Try to keep some space for desert at Rices
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OPINION
A video that shows a mock up of the route of the proposed Newry Southern Relief Road has appeared on YouTube.
The video entitled "Newry Southern Relief Road - Drive Through 2019" was uploaded 1 July and clearly shows a Newry City cut off from the rest of the world for shipping traffic, with a fixed bridge that spans over Newry Ship Canal as well as the Clanrye River.
If the video does indeed represent the 'preferred' plan for the scheme, the beautiful sight of tall ship visits to the city and moored at The Quays Shopping Centre will become another thing of nostalgia that you can tell your children about.
Newry people cannot allow this to happen.
For too many years the history and architecture of the city we call home has been destroyed little by little and for what gain? The heart of Newry was ripped out in the 1960's to bypass the centre of Newry and now it's rich maritime heritage is just waiting in the wings to be snatched from our grasp.
It takes a brave person to say that the Southern Relief Road is not needed but realistically we would suggest any potential gain in reduced traffic in Newry City centre will last for a few years at most ... and then what!
A short term gain for the permanent pain of the life being ripped out of Newry once again. A tourism gem snuffed out before it even got ignited properly. How convenient that we wouldn't have to market Newry City as a tourist destination. Move along - There is nothing to see!
Are we the only ones that can see the incredible potential that Newry could and absolutely should have? We won't realise that potential though if we engage in institutional vandalism of the highest order.
Newry's a perfect stop of point for people who want to visit the Mourne's, Carlingford Lough and Cooley, the Ring of Gullion during the day and then chill out with some great food and a few beverages, not forgetting tasting some of the Newry Whiskey that's on the way.
Last night there were two bus loads of Japanese tourists staying in the Canal Court. This would just be the tip of the iceberg if those in power could find a way to use our natural facilities to their max.
Why are we waiting so long for movement with the already agreed park at the Albert Basin and where are all the statements from local politicians about what they are going to do to keep our unique Newry Ship Canal waterway open. From where we are sitting that's a lot more important than a road that will ultimately contribute to even more traffic and most likely not reduce the traffic in Newry in the long term.
If the road is being built a lifting bridge over the canal is the only option. Newry people deserve nothing less.
Check out the video at www.youtube.com
OPINION
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OPINION
Newry.ie believes that the sole responsibility for the litter on the banks of Newry Canal that's causing a social media frenzy at present falls on the people that dumped it there. Everyone should direct their anger to them ... and there are many of them.
The practice of people using equipment to blow the rubbish into the canal and then lifting it out again is maybe questionable although there may not be any good option for removing litter from the area in question.
Although you have to remember this was put there by 'ordinary' Newry people and if it wasn't blown in yesterday it would have been blown in at another time when the slightest gust of wind came along ... and hardly anyone would have said a word!
Now is the time to start to take those who litter our city to task, and that's something for all of us to do.
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With January over and with all plans for my diet in the hazy past for yet another 12 months, it was the perfect time for a visit to the Graduate Restaurant at Newry Catering College for one of their gourmet nights.
It's where one of the students is appointed as Head Chef and has the unenviable task of organising everything including a menu and staff on the night.
Tuesday night's 'short straw' fell to student Ryan Finnegan from Dundrum and what a job he did.
Coats taken, we were shown to our table and soon in the hands of our attentive waitress Charlotte. Nothing was missed in making us feel like honoured guests, with every need met before we even thought of asking.
First up on the menu was Guinea Fowl Wontons, a first for us and a great way to start.
For next course I picked the Beetroot Mousse, Pickled Beetroot with Whipped Goats Cheese, The beautifully presented starter had an exhilirating contrast of flavours from the sweet beetroot to the tangy Goats Cheese.
Next up was an exceptional Spiced Sweet Potato, Chilli and Coconut Soup served in a beautiful cup along with Cheese and onion bread. The soup and the bread were incredible. I tried to prolong the course but it was gone all too soon.
For Main Course I went for Pan Seared Duck Breast, Mango Puree Dried Cherry and Port Jus which was served with mash potato and assorted vegetables. Absolutely beautifully presented and flavours to take your last breath with.
Of course only the desert was compulsory I would have been really good but the Chocolate and Raspberry Mousse Pot was incredible with lashings of raspberry coulis to help the textured mousse go down.
Next was a cup of tea with Pina Colada Macaroons, the most incredible tiny flavoursome delights.
Of course to finish off it would be wrong not to have a Creme De Menthe ... and so it was.
Total cost for us for the menu was £18 each with a few quid extra for refreshments.
It was uplifting to be waited on 'hand and foot' at a time when we have been disappointed with the poor level of service in many of Newry's restaurants. It really is what makes a good meal into a really memorable meal.
The Graduate Restaurant at the SRC host meals on Tuesday nights throughout the month. There are still spaces available for 12 and 26 February and you can book or enquire about other dates at 028 3025 9713
Thanks to Ryan and Charlotte and the whole team at the Graduate for a wonderful culinary delight.
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The Ebony Wood shop on Church Road in Bessbrook is certainly a hidden gem in the historic south Armagh village.
You're immediately drawn in by the fantastic craftsmanship displayed in the window of the small but busy premises.
Ebony Wood is owned by Kyriakos Delko originally from Greece and looking at his productions it's patently obvious of his attention to detail and enjoyment his craft gives him, Kyriakos brings out the very best in his wood resulting in each finished product being totally unique.
Items made range from turned bowls, carvings clocks, pens and pencase, decorative ware and trinket boxes to bird tables, playhouses, garden benches, beds and chest of drawers, in fact probably almost anything that can be made out of wood.
Check out his Facebook page on www.facebook.com/ebonywoodbessbrook
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Fuelled by 'red tape', bureaucracy plus an "It can't be done" mentality The Sandwich Barge which has sat outside The Quays Shopping Centre in Newry for this past four years will be leaving for good this weekend!
An initiative led by local woman and London resident, Lorraine Fox to trade on her barge as a cafe at the historic Albert Basin in Newry has come to nought and the entrepreneur has decided to take it back to London, where it will be appreciated and most importantly welcomed.
Ms Fox brought the barge to Newry in August 2014 and spent many many months and years trying to get a trading license from Newry, Mourne and Down Council, all to no avail.
Missing from the equation was an official who could have championed her cause but it never happened, instead she got moved from pillar to post, one department to another.
Occasionally the barge opened unofficially for a festival, something that always proved popular. Organisers of Iúr Cinn Fleadh much appreciated the wonderful music and food organised to perfection by Lorraine. Sadly no more.
The Albert Basin is an incredible gem in Newry's armoury but it sometimes appears the vision of what is needed to use the area to it's best potential is only seen by members of the public, local waterways and maritime groups and community groups. Newry 2020 championed the provision of a 15 acre public park at the Albert Basin and it's well underway, something that would not have happened otherwise.
A quirky barge selling coffee and home made produce would have attracted visitors and tourists to the Albert Basin area, and then onwards to spend money at The Quays Shopping Centre. Why no one could see this we at Newry.ie will never ever understand.
Regardless it never happened and it possibly never will. How many times have you heard the expression where there’s a will there is a way? It seems there is no will!
Meanwhile The Sandwich Barge will be loaded onto a container this Saturday morning and another potential unique selling point will disappear forever.
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Blog
The Newry.ie Plastic Challenge may be over but it has left it's mark on our shopping practices. We certainly would now be quicker to ask for non plastic wrapping when out shopping and try to limit packaging as much as possible.
It just occurred to us when we were shopping the other day that it doesn't really matter if the shop can facilitate you or not - it's the asking that will finally make the penny drop, that unnecessary plastic waste is well ... unnecessary!
When I asked at the butchers counter in Supervalu, Hill Street for a non plastic wrap for my fish, the trying to be helpful assistant asked another member of staff, who then asked another member of staff before telling me they had nothing non plastic and gave me it in a oven ready plastic bag! I'm sure they thought, who is this lunatic, but I'm sure if enough 'lunatics' ask for non plastic packaging, things will change and quickly.
On a positive note two very welcome moves noticed recently. Fiveways now sell their loose fruit cheaper when you buy three of them or more (One of our bug bearers was loose fruit and veg being more expensive than packaged in every shop) Secondly, (may have been there before but only noticed the other day) - Paper bags hanging up in Philip's Veg Shop for you to put your loose veg into.
Two small gestures but very important ones. Here at Newry.ie we would love to hear from you about the shops that are trying to change their use of plastics. Spread the good news.
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