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A one-off opportunity that will NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN
Tomorrow night 2 October sees a motion come before Newry, Mourne and Down Council that if passed could make a remarkable difference to the everyday lives of every woman, man and child in Newry City not to mention being an attraction in its own right for many visitors to our city.
Yes the motion if passed would see the council and stakeholders working towards the provision of a 15 acre Public Park on the council held Albert Basin site, a natural place to enjoy the great outdoors with the added bonus of a maritime element as well as a long asked for skate park. The health and wellbeing benefits of a local park are well documented and something Newry has been without for too long!
After many years of people asking for a Park for Newry and getting nowhere, now is the time for local councillors to follow the will of the people, seize the opportunity and for once say a resounding YES to over 11,000 people who have signed a petition, the 80 groups, 8 schools and local medical practices who are all demanding access to something all other cities in Ireland already have, a Newry City Park!
It would be a shame if the park motion tomorrow night wasn't allowed an open vote in the council chamber and instead referred to the ERT Committee by the Chairperson where it quite possibly could be quietly 'disappeared' over time.
An open and transparent vote in the council chamber tomorrow night is what we at Newry.ie ask for and so should you!
The Motion in Full
'This Council confirms its commitment to a full, 15-acre community park project on the Albert Basin site in Newry. The Council recognises that the Albert Basin site was given to the people of Newry in 1986 and that a commitment was given at that time to develop it as a recreation and amenity area for the generations of the future. It also recognises the work of community activists in presenting their plans for the park through a petition with over 10,000 signatures.
Council commits to delivering a park in parallel with other capital works projects in Newry within the next Council term. The Council shall within 3 months establish a task and finish group reporting to the Capital Projects Working Group, consisting of elected members, community representatives and a dedicated Council officer to establish plans to move the Albert Basin park project forward and investigate funding options’
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I have a theory about the regular calls after an event in Newry of "I didn't know this was on" or "If I had known this was on I would have been there" etc, after all there must be an explanation for this and I don't think it is always a lack of publicity (though of course sometimes it is!)
The number of people on the Newry.ie Facebook page saying that they didn't know the City of Merchants Festival and maybe more specifically the fireworks display was on, despite articles on the self same Facebook page and on Newry.ie website itself makes me think there may be something else at play.
My theory goes something like this:
Newry for so long was deprived of events and happening things that people no longer expect events to be on, so don't be on the lookout for them when lo and behold they actually are!
In some ways many have actually given up on Newry and will quite happily check for events on elsewhere at different times throughout the year and go to them, maybe 70 miles away, but never think of checking for things and attending sometimes the same or better events in their own back yard.
How else can I explain that the Iúr Cinn Fleadh Festival which was in it's fourth year in September - from 7-10 September to be precise still hasn't hit some local people's radar, and this despite attracting thousands of people to many different fleadh events throughout Newry. People from all over Ireland, from America, Norway, England and Scotland and many more places have all been there yet it's still not seen as a must go to event locally. I could say the same about many other local events.
Regarding the fleadh, you don't even have to like folk or trad music to enjoy it, after all I'd say most people that go to Blues on the Bay aren't that much into the Blues! People go to things for 'the crack'
Examples of the lack of knowledge of the fleadh in particular that I know of personally include two people working at reception at a local hotel who had never heard of it, despite a massive 20 ft banner less than 200ft away from where they sat advertising it. There were also Staff in a local bar who yes, you've guessed it "Didn't know it was on" despite the owner being asked to take part and declining.
How are we supposed to promote our city when the very people who earn a living from the entertainment and hospitality business don't promote something that has the potential to greatly increase their takings on a particular weekend if they only just made a small effort. Have they given up too? You only have to look at the present weekend nightlife in Newry to think that maybe they have?
In case anyone asks, Iúr Cinn Fleadh was promoted extensively from around Easter, had many articles in local papers, front pages, Facebooked to death, promoted via websites including Newry.ie, was mentioned on local and regional radio, 6k event guides were circulated, posters put up around the town and more. Of course there could have been more done, nothing can't be improved on but after quite a bit of effort by volunteers in their own time (and you have to remember that many local events are organised by volunteers) for people to claim that they never heard of it can be quite demoralising, as you can imagine.
Newry has a growing number of happening events over the course of the year. This years City of Merchants festival hosted by Newry, Mourne and Down Council which has already shown great potential is just the latest one to be added to existing ones like Newry Feis, Newry Drama Festival, Pride In Newry, Iúr Cinn Fleadh, Newry Blues Festival, Oktoberfest, Newry Festival of Water, Flagstaff Fiesta, Earwig and many other local festivities. They all deserve your support and are normally on at the same time each year so not too hard to work out when they are coming up.
This leads me to ask, what needs to be done for an event to hit YOUR radar, do you actually go out and try and find out if there is anything on in your home town, and more importantly if you do find out, do you support them?
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There are a wealth of old sayings from around the Newry area and the many little townlands that are scattered through counties Armagh and Down that are in danger of being lost forever. Lissummon, Tullyherron, Tullywhinney, Bavan, Kegal, Lisdrumchor, all would have had their unique ways of putting things!
Such sayings were said as a matter of course by our parents and grandparents, sayings that you no longer would hear in this modern 21st century super sophisticated world.
For example when a child would have exasperated a parent instead of "Go to Hell", in our house it was "Go to Blue Blazes" or the really multicultural "Go to Hong Kong"
Another one mum would have said was "Bad zest to your auld picture" an expression that I'm not sure of the meaning but it would have come out of frustration at perhaps not being able to get the thread in the needle or such like.
Another "If you're going GO!" for those hesitant types that might just not have made it to the shop before closing time.or the ever true "Pride comes before a fall" when inevitably something you did that pleased you so much ending up causing more trouble than it was worth.
Feel free to add your own family favourites from when you were growing up, and we might just get a list made up! If you'r not on Facebook email us them to news@newry.ie
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The end of roaming charges within the EU has to be welcomed bringing to an end at long last the guessing game of how much you were paying to call home or the Spanish restaurant down the street. From last week if you are abroad or down the road in County Louth or even in Warrenpoint/ Kilkeel picking up the Irish mobile networks, you don’t have to worry about being charged more than you were at home.
In fact if you are in Warrenpoint on an Irish network you now have the added luxury of phoning anywhere in the EU as part of your plan with no extra charges if texts and calls are included in your pay monthly or pay as you go plan!
It’s easy to forget though that phoning south of the border from Newry with a UK mobile provider will still cost you and in some cases cost you dearly. A ten minute call from Newry to Dundalk from a Vodafone pay monthly contract phone without any add-ons will cost you a whopping £15. It’s actually cheaper to ring from a Vodafone Pay as You Go contract!
To avoid these charges you need to purchase an add on from your network, adding to the monthly cost of your contract.
Pointing out that these regulations apply to roaming charges and not calling charges Mickey Brady MP stressed that border communities will “still suffer” as calls and texting are still classed as international.
“Indeed there are still many issues that need addressed island wide ahead of Brexit, although it is the border areas that have faced unfair charges and penalties for far too long. Once again border communities will still suffer.
“Customers should check with their network provider to ensure they are not caught out and to understand what deal they have with their provider”.
MLA Cathal Boylan also warned customers to watch out for unexpected costs but praised the implementation of the EU directive in which all the networks must now allow customers to use their inclusive minutes, and data within the EU at no additional costs.
Branding this as a victory for consumers, particularly those plagued with roaming charges in our border communities, Boylan also warned of hidden costs.
He said “I am pleased that roaming charges have finally been eliminated. It has been a long process and I pay tribute to our MEPs who have been fighting hard to bring about the end of such charges. Sinn Féin through our European and domestic representatives been campaigning for the abolition of roaming charges for over 10 years.
“It is regrettable it has taken this long. Roaming charges have been a continuous probnlem for the thousands living and travelling along the border. It is equally regrettable that this legislation may no longer apply to us after 2019 with our subsequent removal from the European Union."
Mobile Network Costs to Phone other EU Countries from UK
Tesco Mobile: Phone (Landline or Mobile): 25p per minute Text: 20p
Three: Phone (Landline or Mobile): 46p per minute Text: 25.2p
EE: Phone (Landline or Mobile): 50p per minute Text: 35p
Virgin Mobile: Phone (Landline or Mobile): 60p per minute Text: 30p
O2: Phone (Landline or Mobile): 65p per minute Text: 35p
Vodafone: Phone (Landline or Mobile): 1.50p per minute Text: 35p
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The saga of the dead Porpoise in the Clanrye River in Newry continues with the revelation that it could be classified as a 'Royal Fish' thus making the mammal "personal property of the monarch of the United Kingdom as part of his or her royal prerogative." The law was enacted by Edward the Second in the 14th Century.
You couldn't make it up. In fact if it was April Fools day, it could have been a right ripping yarn. Whether the unfortunate Porpoise recognised itself as Irish or British or what coastline it swam up could be crucial in deciding if the royal prerogative applies.
Other royal fish include whales and sturgeons. According to Wikipedia "the king owns the head of the whale, the queen owns the tail" but whether this applies to Porpoises is anyones guess.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary a Royal Fish is "A whale, porpoise, or sturgeon caught near the British coast or cast ashore there. In these circumstances they belong to the Crown or, in the Duchy of Cornwall, to the Prince of Wales."
At present the list of authorities NOT responsible for removing the poor Porpoise lengthens and as yet no one has taken responsibility to remove it from it's watery grave in the Clanrye River. Perhaps Queen Elizabeth herself will take a trip over to claim it.
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Wednesday was International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Perhaps a few sculptors should have been out around Newry on the day!
Is there no famous Newry women?
If the wonderful solid (and manly) sculptures we see around the city are anything to go by, there mustn't be! At present the only woman represented is the Virgin Mary and as far as I know she wasn't FROM Newry!
.John Mitchel may have had to wait around a few years for company but it seems this last while that almost every year that goes by another one arrives to join the 'exclusive' mans club - The Newry Navvy and The Newry Docker were quickly followed by The Newry Cyclist - aka Patrick Rankin and who know's, the next guy could be on his way.
In the interest of the 'truth' I Googled "Famous Newry Men" and found almost Six Million but when I tried "Famous Newry Women" things have whittled down to just over Two Hundred Thousand results but surely in that not insignificant number we could find just one to spend a few thousand on to immortalise in Bronze?
#BeBoldForChange
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A Newry Blog
While measures to help increase safety on the A1 Dual Carriageway between Newry and Sprucefield are on-going it’s safe to say that the overall structure of the road in many places is literally an accident waiting to happen.
In the short term finding a way to remove all non essential central reservation crossing points would contribute greatly to safety on the A1. Ideally though a motorway infrastructure is needed.
Of course non-essential crossings are open to interpretation. An example would be the right turn off for Loughbrickland coming from Belfast! Is this essential saying there is an underpass several hundred metres up the road where you don’t have to try and cross the fastest part of the road?
I did a count of the number of access points between Sprucefield and Sheepbridge. You can access from one side to the other via the central reservation well over 100 times. Granted a lot of these are tracks opposite a gate into a field or yard and not used all the time, but then again you really don’t want to meet a tractor and trailer in the fast lane as it tries to cross!
Coming from Dublin you are travelling at Motorway speeds all the way to just past Sheepbridge before you see a central reservation crossing!
The Roads Service have a plan for the Eastern Seaboard Corridor A1 Junctions Phase Two that would see the central reservation closed as far as Loughbrickland but doesn’t include the stretch from Loughbrickland to Sheepbridge! At present it is subject to funding and could be many years before it happens if it ever does.
We really do need to get campaigning, keep tackling your local MP, MLA, Councillor and ask them to push for improvement on your behalf.
Statistically it doesn’t represent the greatest risk with 4 fatalities out of the 70 in the Province so far this year on Motorway/ Dual Carriageway but with increasing traffic it will become an more pressing issue as time goes on if something isn’t done.
While the A1 isn’t the greatest danger area, 2014 road traffic collision statistics are grim reading for us folk in E District (Newry and Mourne, Banbridge, Armagh and Craigavon) 18 fatalities already this year in E District with a massive 11 of these in Newry and Mourne alone!
The message is - When you are on the roads, Drive Safely, expect the unexpected and show care and courtesy for other road users.
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I remember years ago when I was at St Pauls there always was stories going around about satanic rituals and Black Magic happening in Derrymore Woods and lights appearing in windows of derelict houses etc.
Well the weekend's Sunday Times has maybe helped put pay to the "legitimacy" of these alleged happenings!
Apparently the British Army had a "Black Operations" department where they deliberately circulated these stories in an attempt to dissuade people from going out after dark and keeping them away from derelict buildings where the IRA etc might have met.
They even set up mock ritual sites with upside down crosses and stone altars, even going to the trouble of coating a knife in animal blood from an army kitchen.
Of course us locals would then come across it and report it to our friends and then the papers would get a hold of it and by then of course we all believed every word was true. They even wrote to the same newspapers pretending to be concerned locals worried about the rise of occult happenings in the area.
The saying, you should never believe everything you hear has never been truer!
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Not long back from a beautiful walk on the new greenway walk between Omeath and Carlingford. I know it's open quite a while at this stage but this is the first I've been on it.
Don’t know if it was the weather but the chat on the way was great. I think it’s more likely that the locals are so proud of their new facility and they are more than willing to share their enthusiasm!
It’s a really fantastic dander mostly along the shore of Carlingford Lough and is already proving extremely popular with cyclists and walkers. The views of Carlingford Lough and Slieve Foye and across to the Mournes must make it one of the most attractive strolls in the country.
The path has really opened up the Calvary at Omeath, creating another access point to the final resting place of Fr Gentili who’s coffin sits on display in the new chapel there.
Looking forward to the time in the not too distant future when the facility continues all the way to Newry. What an attraction that will be.
Cycle or walk all the way from Lough Neagh if you wish to Carlingford via good old Newry. The times they really are a changing.
It’s apparently just a matter of time and funding so hopefully it won’t be more than a couple of years.
In the meantime please try and give extra space to cyclists on the Newry Omeath road, one of the least safe roads in Ireland a cyclist can take. Unfortunately though at present if you want to cycle to Carlingford or Omeath, you don’t have any choice in the matter.
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