Local Alliance councillor, Patrick Brown, and John Blair MLA recently met with the Mourne Heritage Trust in Silent Valley to discuss the need for long-term plans that protect and enhance the Mournes, especially considering the recent wildfire and increased use by visitors. Councillor Brown commented, “The Mournes are one of Northern Ireland’s most […]
A further Covid-19 support scheme worth up to £2million for farmers growing potatoes for the processing supply chain has been announced by Agriculture and Environment Minister Edwin Poots. Applications forms for the Scheme are now available on the DAERA website and must be submitted by 18 August 2021. Announcing the support […]
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has welcomed the appointment of ARUP to take forward the All Island Strategic Rail Review. The All Island Strategic Rail Review will consider how the rail network on the island of Ireland can improve sustainable connectivity between major cities, enhance regional accessibility including to the North West and support […]
The prolonged period of sunshine and calm seas over recent weeks has provided ideal conditions for recreational diving around our coastline. This has led to an increase in the numbers of people visiting the historic wrecks which lie just off our shores. Of the 340 known ship and plane wrecks within […]
Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA has officially opened the newly redeveloped Magheracross Viewpoint site between Portrush and Bushmills and made a visit to Portaneevy Viewpoint on the International Appalachian Trail near Ballintoy on the north Antrim coast. The Magheracross project was part-funded (£500,000) through his Department’s Rural Development Programme Rural Tourism Scheme, […]
DAERA Minister, Edwin Poots MLA, has announced that Tranche 5 of the Wider Level of the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) will open for applications on 16 August 2021. EFS Wider Level applies to land outside areas of environmental designation and as such will be available to most farmers in Northern Ireland. […]
In an exciting new development for Belfast Met, its Rugby Academy has joined forces with former Irish rugby professional Kieran Campbell. Kieran is the director of KC9 Peak Performance and a former elite rugby player having performed at international rugby level in both 7s and 15s. He was the previous Ulster […]
Liz Kimmins is calling for more schools in the Newry and Armagh area to be able to have 20mph zones in their surrounding area. The Newry and Armagh MLA stated, “Across the whole of Newry and Armagh, only a small number of schools were included in the first roll-out of the 20mph zone […]
Renowned local oncologist Dr Seamus McAleer is encouraging local people to get on their bikes for Friends of the Cancer Centre’s Newry Canal Cycle on Saturday 21 August 2021. Dr McAleer, an oncologist at the Cancer Centre in Belfast, is no stranger to a cycling challenge, having undertaken numerous fundraising challenges for the […]
Finance Minister Conor Murphy has announced steps being taken to help government contractors with the rising costs of raw materials. Minister Murphy said, “Covid-19 has had a huge impact on the availability of construction materials with global demand, product shortages and delivery delays leading to market volatility and increased prices. “Government […]
