Mayor's Christmas Message

As Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council it is my pleasure to issue a Message of Goodwill to the people of Newry and Mourne for the Festive Period.

This past year has been one of challenge for Newry and Mourne District Council but we continue to strive to deliver a quality service for our citizens.

My thanks goes to the many people in the voluntary, cultural and sporting sectors who continue to contribute to the social and community life of our area.

On behalf of the Council I would like to wish everyone in Newry and Mourne a Happy Christmas and a truly Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.

Mayor Charlie Casey

Be Winter Wise This Year!

This winter doesn’t have to be a problem if you attend the free “Winter Wise” information event being organised by Newry and Mourne Council’s Environment, Health & Building Services Department.

Members of the public are invited to come along to the event being held in the main foyer Southern Regional College, West Campus, Patrick St, Newry from 4pm – 8pm on Tuesday 13th December 2011.
 
The Council have invited a range of agencies to provide advice on issues such as insulation, heating your home, preparing for an emergency and relevant home energy schemes.

A copy of the booklet is being sent to every household via Royal Mail.

For further information please visit the Council website www.newryandmourne.gov.uk or telephone the Environmental Health Department on 028 3031 3100.

Exhibitions at Newry and Mourne Museum

Newry and Mourne District Council invite you to visit the the new exhibition gallery at Bagenals Castle.

On show is a new temporary exhibition entitled Beliefs and Customs through the Ages in Newry and Mourne.

Also on display is A Great Change - the lives and times of James Harshaw, John Martin and John Mitchel through whom we better understand life during and after the Great Famine. This exhibition will be on display until February 2012.

For more information on museum events please telephone: 028 3031 3182 or 028 3031 3178 or visit www.bagenalscastle.com

Winter Wonderland Tour

A magical two hour event taking children around the Slieve Gullion courtyard and area to learn about their local wildlife, legends and nature - all to help Santa and save Christmas!!!

Ring of Gullion and Newry and Mourne Council's Winter Wonderland takes children on a magical journey through the forest at Slieve Gullion. Through art, music and drama this fun learning experience will stay with the children for many years.

Taking place at the courtyard in Slieve Gullion, and with the help of the Clanrye Group, the Ring of Gullion's festive events have been the most popular attractions all year, and this one is certain to be bigger and better. The events mix of family fun and education has ensured that parents and children go home happy, exhausted, and entertained!

This year’s event is massively oversubscribed already, but extra dates have been added by Enspire due to the overwhelming demand. More details on their events can be found at www.enspirelearn.com

Sean Hollywood Arts Centre - Exhibitions

Thursday 29th December 2011
8.00pm Juliet Turner in concert
For ticket information contact the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre on 028 3031 3180

Newry Town Hall

Wednesday 14th December 2011
8.00pm Cloughmore Male Voice Choir Concert
Tickets: £7.00 available at The Sean Hollywood Arts Centre

Friday 16th & Saturday 17th December 2011 8.00pm & additional matinee Saturday 17th December 2.00pm
Kaleioscope NI Present The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tickets: £10.00 / Matinee tickets: £7.00 available from the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre

Marseillan Delegation comes to Castleblayney and Newry and Mourne

Representatives from Marseillan Southern France, Mayor Yves Michel and Tourism Officials travelled to Castlblayney Town Council and Newry and Mourne District Council to further advance the development of new and important economic, business, tourism and social links.

The Mayor of Marseillan Mr Yves Michel is particularly enthusiastic to learn about the cross border cooperation between Castleblayney Town Council and Newry and Mourne Council and congratulated the Irish delegation on the development of these important cross border links. He commented that such links demonstrated tangible results which culminated in new opportunities for the promotion of the island of Ireland north and south. The delegation were extremely impressed with Newry and Mourne District and had an opportunity to visit, Slieve Gullion, Mourne Mountains, Newry City, Warrenpoint, Rostrevor and Kilkeel with a final reception held at Newry and Mourne Council in the evening.

As part of this arrangement each group will assist with the marketing of each other’s offerings in their local area. Each will be encouraging people from each of the two areas to consider the other as a holiday destination. This will result in considerable benefits for each of the local economies, resulting in additional business and job creation opportunities. Details of the Castleblayney and Newry and Mourne areas will be included in the Marseillan publication Lo Cridaire with a view to encouraging additional French visitors to the area.

Lá Mór na Gaeilge- a Celebration of the Irish Language

The Irish Language Unit recently organised a celebration of the Irish Language in the Council Chamber and launched a booklet detailing services that are available from the Council. Councillors, management and staff were entertained by members of the local Irish language community, children from Bunscoil an Iúir and the pupils from St. Patrick’s Primary School in Crossmaglen in an event hosted by local media star Tomaí Rua Ó Conghaile. The occasion reconfirmed the Council’s commitment to promoting the Irish language internally within the Council and in the wider community. The booklet is available from gaeilge@newryandmourne.gov.uk

Council secure additional funding for St Colman's College Sports/Community Complex

Newry and Mourne District Council have secured additional funding of £113,042 for this project which will be considered as part of the existing contract of works which are now near completion. The facilities include a 6 lane 400m running track, synthetic playing surface for rugby, soccer, gaelic and a community changing and administrative block and all areas will be floodlight

The open day was held on Saturday the 12th of November and the Council are now accepting expressions of interest with the site being open from the 28th of November. The additional monies will provide a further synthetic surface for the high jump within the Field Events area in the centre of the Athletics Track. The Mayor stated

“ I was delighted with the community interest at the open day on Saturday. This facility which the Council has seen fit to support will offer sporting and recreation opportunities through the full spectrum of users, from summer schemes, recreational users and coach education programmes through to elite athlete development. The Council have recognised the value of this project and have not just committed substantial capital monies but are also committed to maintaining the facilities. This most recent grant will ensure the Field Events in athletics can be delivered at both a local level and subregionally. I would commend our officers in the District Development Department for securing these extra monies from central government”

Expressions of interest in bookings can be made by contacting the Duty Managers at Newry Sports Centre on 028 3031 3130

Masterplan Launched

The Newry City Masterplan was launched in October and will be a key reference to all those with an interest in the future of the city, including local and central government departments, private businesses including developers and architects, the community and voluntary sectors and members of the public. An early outcome of the Masterplan is a £1.5 million public realm scheme for Hill Street and Monaghan Street which will be delivered by the Council in 2012.

The Masterplan was jointly commissioned by Newry and Mourne District Council and the Department for Social Development (DSD). It is a key part of fulfilling both organisations’ commitment to the physical, social and economic regeneration of Newry and surrounding area. Copies are available for download from the Council website www.newryandmourne.gov.uk .

Plans for St Patrick’s Day

St Patricks Day in Newry City promises to be even bigger and better than before. The Parade begins at the Quays Shopping Complex at 12 noon. Entertainment and Street Trading will be on Kildare Street commencing at 12 noon with a traditional Ceili being held in Newry Town Hall at 3pm

Associated events will include an Ecumenical Service for Post Primary School students in St Patricks Church during school time, a Fun Fair at St Christophers Park from Friday 9th March - Sunday 18th March and The Tulla Band will appear at a special Ceili at the Canal Court Hotel on Friday 16 March from 8pm to late.

Ring of Gullion

It’s all happening in the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty this winter. Although work has already begun on the Action Plan, the Management and Action Plan will be formally launched in December. The Ring of Gullion has hosted a family event almost every month this year with two more due in December, so if you want to hear about these events check out www.ringofgullion.org What’s On guide and sign up for the newsletter. You will also find the winning photographs of the first annual Ring of Gullion photography competition on the images page and details on how to get your hands on the limited edition calendar. So don’t forget to check out ringofgullion.org. We are also on facebook, just search for Ring of Gullion.

South Armagh Sub Regional Play Area

Newry and Mourne District Council have formally signed a lease agreement with the Forestery Service to lease a piece of ground at Slieve Gullion Forest Park to develop a South Armagh Sub Regional Play Park. A Contractor has been appointed and work will begin in December 2011. Funders for this scheme include N&MDC, SOAR and CASA.

CASA Rural Development Initiative Launched

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill officially launched the CASA Rural Investment Initiative at a special event in Ti Chulainn Cultural Centre.
The initiative will benefit the rural economy of the Castleblaney and South Armagh (CASA) region by sensitive development of its natural resources to increase tourism and also by supporting rural businesses to help maintain and secure local jobs.
Over the next three years, the project will enable the creation of a Family Adventure facility and Amphitheatre at Slieve Gullion and Pathways at Slieve Gullion Mountain will be restored to create an Adult fitness trail.  

Angling facilities will be improved at Lough Muckno and some additional family fun will be developed by creating a children’s play area.   The project will also support rural start up businesses by developing, 7 Enterprise Units in Ballybay County Monaghan.

For further information contact jonathan.mcgilly@newryandmourne.gov.uk

Careers in Newry and Mourne District Council

Did you know that Newry and Mourne District Council employ over 500 staff? Our workforce stretches from Crossmaglen to Annalong with our main offices in Newry. Our staff work in a whole range of jobs which include finance, general management, environmental services, leisure, economic and community development, Irish Language, HR, Caretaking, Driving (LGV), Gardening, Fleet and Garage services, canteen services, tourism...... and the list goes on. If you would like more information on careers in Newry and Mourne District Council, look on the following website - www.newrycareers.com.