A “false philosophy that is all too frequently before the court,” is the view of Newry judge Eamonn King about the so-called ‘freeman’ defence The legal profession says it is nonsense – that the status of freeman of the land simply does not exist But recent years have seen several high-profile cases where men have declared themselves freemen and above the legal system One man dragged his daughter through the streets of Newry telling passersby she was his property and that as a freeman the law did not apply to him And a Co Down man charged with raping and falsely imprisoning a woman has been on the run for almost two years after refusing to attend his trial was charged with raping the woman in February 2021 The alleged victim said she has been “left in limbo” not knowing when — if ever — the case will come to court Ciarán Dunbar is joined by the Belfast Telegraph’s crime correspondent Receive today's headlines directly to your inbox every morning and evening Please check your inbox to verify your details The forward, who scored five goals for Northern Ireland during its run to the quarter finals of the 1958 World Cup, was 91. Mr McParland, who won 34 caps, holds the record for the most goals scored for the north in World Cup finals. He netted one against Argentina, twice against West Germany and another two in a winning play off against Czechoslovakia. At the time, he was at the apex of his 10-year club career with Aston Villa, for whom he scored 121 goals in 341 appearances. Famously, he scored twice in a 2-1 victory against Manchester United in the 1957 FA Cup final. The final is also remembered for McParland’s shoulder charge on United keeper Ray Wood, which left the goal tender nursing a broken cheek bone. “Aston Villa Football Club is profoundly saddened to learn that Peter McParland, the last surviving member of the club’s 1957 FA Cup-winning team, has passed away,” said the club in a statement. “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Peter’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time.” McParland began his career with Dundalk before signing for Villa in 1952. Apart from the FA Cup win, McParland helped Villa to the Second Division title in 1959-60. The following year, he scored an extra-time winner to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory over Rotherham United in the inaugural League Cup final. Following his decade at Villa, the Newry man had spells with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Plymouth Argyle while also spending time in North America. He ended his career with Glentoran, spending three years as player-manager and winning the league in 1969-70. In total, McParland scored ten goals for the north, including the five at the World Cup finals in Sweden and two on his debut against Wales. Facebook pageTwitter feedRSS feed@2025 The Irish News Ltd Newry) died 3rd May 2025 suddenly at Daisy Hill Hospital Husband of Pauline and much loved father of Kevin Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul.His remains will repose at his home 10 Newry BT34 2AE on Monday and Tuesday from 2pm until 9pm Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10.30am on Wednesday in Sts Patrick’s & Colman’s Cathedral Burial afterwards in Monkshill Cemetery.Deeply regretted by his sorrowing wife Share this sad news with friends and loved ones Visit Website [email protected] Link Home / Obituaries / Anne-Ellen Mackin (née Donaghey) Loving wife of Mark and devoted mother of Joe and Maria Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on her soul Newry BT34 1RR on Friday May 2nd and Saturday May 3rd from 3pm until 9pm Her remains will leave her home on Sunday May 4th at 11.20am for 12noon funeral mass in St Private cremation to follow in Lakeland’s Crematorium mother and father-in-law Tommy and Fiona Mackin extended Mackin and Donaghey families and many friends donations in lieu if desired to Southern Area Hospice c/o Charles Digney and Sons enquiries@highlandradio.comTelephone: (+353) 07491 25000Text: (+353) 086 60 25000Fax: (+353) 07491 25344 Designed by Manna  | Developed by Purposemakers Elaine Cornett has completed an incredible 930-Mile Bordeaux to Newry Cycle in Memory of her late father Sam Cornett raising £15,000 to date for Southern Area Hospice in the process Donations are still open if you wish to support this amazing journey unsupported 930 mile (1500km) cycle from her home in Bordeaux Elaine undertook the three-week journey in memory of her late father who passed away under the care of the Hospice in January 2022 Her mission was deeply personal — a heartfelt tribute to the compassion and dignity shown to her father during his final days Reflecting on the emotional and physical journey Elaine shared: “Reaching Newry felt fantastic but I kept thinking of my dad and the incredible care he received and knowing this money will help other families going through what we did means everything I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved — and so thankful to everyone who donated or cheered me on along the way.”  Elaine’s journey — completed entirely on a mechanical bike and without external support — stands as a powerful tribute to her father and a remarkable act of generosity toward Southern Area Hospice Sarah O’Hare from the Hospice praised Elaine’s efforts: “We are so delighted that Elaine was able to reach the Hospice safely after such a long journey alone — it is an incredible achievement The money she has raised will make a real difference to the patients and families we support every day.” Donations in support of Elaine’s challenge are still being accepted through her official fundraising page. To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com Southern Area Hospice provides wrap-around support for patients' physical and will also support their families through this process The hospice ensures that care is centred around the individual’s wishes and needs supporting them from the point of diagnosis and helping them to live well with their condition It provides this support through an inpatient unit community services and bereavement support services it will cost around £6 million to run Southern Area Hospice and provide the highest standard of specialist palliative care to local people living with complex That’s the equivalent of £335,000 each month One person was convicted at Newry Magistrates Court today for claiming over £16,000 in benefits they were not entitled to made false declarations when claiming Universal Credit resulting in an overpayment totalling £16,871 The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities Any outstanding money wrongfully obtained must be repaid to the Department Suspected benefit fraud can be reported to the Department for Communities anonymously.  Find out more at: NI Direct Newry Cathedral 29th April 2025News Mary’s Cemetery – The Annual Blessing of the graves takes place on Sunday 4th May at 7.00pm Monkshill Cemetery – The Annual Blessing of the graves takes place on Sunday 11th May at 7.00pm You are asked to bring a small container of water with you which will be blessed during the service Use this water to sprinkle your family grave at the appropriate time A church gate collection will be taken up as you enter or leave St It takes £24,000.00 to maintain the cemetery each year This does not include the cost of hiring the loudspeakers which is £1500.00 Please be as generous as possible with your donations The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response A meeting in Omeath last weekend has seen the launch of a new environment protection group Carlingford Loughkeepers stemmed from the formation of a steering group in Newry in the autumn of 2024 with a view to establishing a group to monitor the health and Development of Carlingford Lough and to Challenge any group or organisation not acting in the interest of the wellbeing of the Lough There followed a public meeting in Newry and subsequently on Saturday 26 of April a meeting was held in Omeath Over 60 people were in attendance from around the Lough A committee of 13 people was formed and they can co-opt more as needed  A list of interested persons was also compiled for subgroups The Subgroups plan to look at: water and air quality; take account of climate change and the impact of fishing industrial development and other practices; Promote Biodiversity education and research; Promote networking among the many groups already working in this area Where bad practices are found the group hopes to challenge these and make the information available in the public domain Carlingford Loughkeepers also plan to include: Beach clean-ups Citizen science and biological recording of local biodiversity and work towards wildlife rescue for which they will need training and funding They also plan to work alongside officials to enhance and improve habitat for biodiversity If you would like to get involved in the group look out for them on Facebook & Instagram in the coming weeks  or contact their secretary  at carlingfordloughkeepers@gmail.com The Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark Team took to the road recently to hold interactive workshops about Ireland’s Fossil Heritage the workshops explored how fossils are formed Ireland’s ancient timeline and how mass extinctions occur Volunteer students from Our Lady’s Grammar School Ballynahinch and St Malachy’s Castlewellan all went through training to empower them to deliver workshops to the local primary schools in their area One of the events was held at Newry Museum Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson “Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark’s rich ecological diversity is underpinned by its geological heritage and we want to inspire the next generation of geologists The Chairperson added "I am amazed by the volunteer student’s enthusiasm and commitment to create a meaningful experience for the younger students They made the workshops come alive and created fun and educational games around the topics they were teaching.” Senior Engagement Officer with Ireland's Fossil Heritage “Ireland has amazing fossil heritage that acts as a remarkable gateway science and a valuable source of inspiration and curiosity about the natural world and STEM We are thrilled to share our new STEM activity kits with Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark These kits allow local students to dive into thrilling hands-on activities exploring everything from fossilisation to environmental change We are honoured that the student volunteers gave their time to deliver our fossil themed activities.” Those wishing to pay their respects are most welcome to do so between 2pm and 8pm tomorrow (Thursday) and 12pm and 8pm Friday a true Newry sporting legend has passed away today Born in Newry in April 1934 he presently lived in Bournemouth In the world of football Peter McParland did it all He played in the League of Ireland for Dundalk at the age of 17 and on a trip to England an Aston Villa talent spotter noticed his potential and signed him up He is best known for his time at Aston Villa where he played from 1952 to 1962 With Villa he won the FA Cup against Manchester United in 1957 and the League Cup against Rotherham in 1961 Scoring twice in the 1957 FA Cup and once in the 1961 League he was the first ever player to score in and win both finals In 341 appearances McParland scored an amazing 121 Goals His international career saw him play for Northern Ireland from 1954 to 1962 representing the team 34 times While playing for them scoring an incredible five goals in the 1958 FIFA World Cup campaign ensuring his team got to the quarter finals The 1958 competition also saw an appearance from a young chap called Pelé who managed to score just one more goal than McParland in the Campaign His senior career also saw him make appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers Glentoran and even a spell in the USA with Atlanta Chiefs McParland was back in Newry in 2022 for the first Football Film Festival held at Newry City AFC In a social media post a spokesperson for Aston Villa recalled the legend "Aston Villa Football Club is profoundly saddened to learn that Peter McParland the last surviving member of the club’s 1957 FA Cup-winning team Sheridan (Newry) died 2nd May 2025 peacefully at Southern Area Hospice Husband of the late Peggy and much-loved father of Sean Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul His remains will repose in Charles Digney and Sons Funeral Home Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 11.00am in St Private cremation following funeral mass.Deeply regretted by his sorrowing sons according to an elected representative tasked with scrutinising the project The council’s planning committee were on Wednesday expected to rubber stamp the local authority’s own application for the scheme to which 2,500 objections were previously lodged the process has stalled after it emerged at the eleventh hour that the council failed at the outset to correctly classify the scheme The Irish News has seen correspondence from council officials confirming the reclassification some two months after the application was first submitted in March 2023 The council’s planning committee has now decided to defer a decision on the application until it gets a legal opinion it was revealed that local government auditor Colette Kane took the “unusual” step of writing to council chief executive Marie Ward voicing concern about the civic hub’s construction costs and its expected occupancy level A spokesperson for the audit office said Ms Kane’s letter had also emphasised “the importance of ensuring that governance arrangements around decision making are made clear” “I have said from the get-go that this was the most peculiar planning process I have ever been involved in as a councillor and this latest development reinforces that opinion,” he said. “I am truly flabbergasted that this information, which means the application could totally upended, has emerged at the very last stage of consideration.” Andy Stephens of Matrix Planning Consultants, which as well as Canon Brown also represents elements of Newry’s business community, said the council’s error in wrongly classifying the application meant it had “failed to satisfy the mandatory legislative requirements” by not submitting a pre-application community consultation report when the application was first lodged. “This meant there was no valid application,” he said. The council confirmed that a planning committee decision on the civic hub has been deferred pending legal advice, and that the application was “subsequently reclassified” after submission. It said the mandatory pre-application community consultation report was submitted following reclassification. “The application has been progressed to determination on this basis,” a spokesperson said. The deferment of what was expected to be a formality is the second setback for the council in as many weeks in relation to its two flagship projects. A fortnight ago, The Irish News revealed the council’s plans to build a cable car and visitor centre on the slopes of Slieve Donard had been thrown into jeopardy, with the National Trust pausing its engagement with the local authority. Without the the conservation charity’s approval, the project cannot be built. It emerged that the trust was forced to submit a freedom of information request to the council and the Department for the Economy in an effort to secure the full business case for the controversial venture, which it stresses it does not endorse. Newry Cathedral 30th April 2025News This year marks two hundred years since the laying of the foundation stone of Newry Cathedral on 8th June 1825 we are pleased to once again offer guided tours of the Cathedral on the following dates: Each tour will take approximately 90 minutes Please meet at the main door of Newry Cathedral You will hear the story of the building of Newry Cathedral sculptures and magnificent mosaics will also be explained Common Ground Collective are hosting a A creative showcase in aid of Palestine on Friday 9 May at  Finegan and Son in Newry and performers coming together to raise awareness and funds for a great cause Show your solidarity and enjoy an evening filled with art The fundraiser will run from 6:30pm - 9pm with performances from musicians Jack Devlin Refreshments will be available and tickets are £10 Get your tickets at www.eventbrite.ie Organisers hope we can all make a difference together An application for Planning Permission has been submitted to Newry Mourne and Down District Council for a 90 acre family theme park on a site alongside Newry Canal The £1.9bn 'Canal Kingdom' will be the world's first canal themed amusement park and the largest theme park in Ireland Currently the developer is keeping the tenant for the new park a closely guarded secret and it's not known if it's one of the big players such as Universal Studios or Disney Experiences or a completely new operator The theme park is expected to bring £36m+ a year into the Newry economy It's thought the success of the much smaller Game of Thrones experience at Banbridge was one of the major drivers of the new project with it's easy access to the A1/M1 Speaking on the project Antonio Dredger from Portuguese developer Faro Liplo said "A total of five years of research has went into getting the development to this point It was a very conscious decision to position Canal Kingdom right in the centre of the Dublin to Belfast Corridor making it accessible in an hour or under by around 2.5 million people "From the beginning we were enspired by Newry's unique position as Ireland's oldest inland port and the fact that Newry Canal is basically a blank canvas and ripe for development "This will be unlike anything Newry has ever seen and we fully expect to have 400,000 visitors through our gates in the first year with the aim of 1,000,000 visitors a year by year five." A look at the planning submission casts some light on the kind of facilities and rides on offer and shows you how much research has been done for this project  There's a ride called 'Lock till you Drop' a terrifying free-fall ride that plunges people through a series of 14 replica locks at breakneck speed which then drops you 78ft in the space of 2 seconds into the Canal in deference of the actual drop in height from the canal's summit at Poyntzpass to where it ends in Carlingford Lough A replica of the Albert Basin will also have a life size replica of Tall Ship Asgard II which visited Newry in 1997 and sank in the Bay of Biscay 11 years later A world class Newry City Park replica is also planned complete with concrete surfaces Adding a touch of humour to the park there will be a Fun Trolly Fishing challenge and a quirky 'Blow Up the Fixed Bridge' game for the children An integral part of the theme park will be a new 200 bedroom hotel on site with water beds in every room Plans also show an area of the site called 'Carnal Kingdom' an adults only section If Planning progresses construction is expected to take around 2 years and provide 1500 jobs with a further 200 jobs once the theme park is opened Newry based  food-to-go manufacturer Around Noon has officially opened its newest manufacturing facility at Slough Trading Estate following continued strong business performance throughout 2024 hot and frozen food-to-go across a range of product categories including sandwiches It supplies over 4.4 million products every month into industries including travel the new 30,000 sq ft factory becomes the group’s fifth manufacturing facility in Ireland and the UK and its second in the South East of England it will increase the manufacturing capacity of the firm’s Slough operations by £50m The expansion comes as Around Noon continues to record strong organic growth with net sales rising by 21 per cent in 2024 said: “This is a significant moment for our business We are on track to achieve £100m turnover and this new facility will play a key role in accelerating growth towards that target and beyond as we continue to expand our presence and market share The opening of our new Slough facility is the culmination of years of work and a huge team effort It’s a site we’re incredibly proud to showcase and one that reflects our scaling ambitions.” Sustainability is a core feature of the new facility with green features including photovoltaic panels on the roof to provide electricity to the premises with any excess sent back into the network grid; energy efficient LED light fittings installed throughout; a heating and comfort cooling system; mechanical ventilation and water-reducing products in the WCs; shower facilities to encourage more employees to cycle to work; and electric vehicle charging points The site also has SMART meters installed throughout to help improve operational efficiency Around Noon significantly expanded its London operations when it acquired The Soho Sandwich Company and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in North London Around Noon was listed in the Growth Index a ranking of the 100 fastest-growing companies in the UK For more information, visit aroundnoon.com Mackin (nee Donaghey) (Glenn) died 1st May 2025 peacefully at her home Anne-Ellen R.I.P Loving wife of Mark and devoted mother of Joe and Maria Newry BT34 1RR on Friday and Saturday from 3pm until 9pm Her remains will leave her home on Sunday at 11.20am for 12noon funeral mass in St mother and father in law Tommy and Fiona Mackin 2025 at 11:32am BSTNewry-headquartered food-to-go manufacturer Around Noon has opened a new multi-million pound manufacturing facility in Slough following continued strong business performance throughout 2024 the new 30,000 sq ft factory becomes the group’s fifth manufacturing facility in the UK & Ireland and its second in the south east of England And the expansion comes as Around Noon continues to record strong organic growth with net sales rising by 21% in 2024 to more than £80 million Chief executive Gareth Chambers said: “This is a significant moment for our business “We are on track to achieve £100 million turnover and this new facility will play a key role in accelerating growth towards that target and beyond as we continue to expand our presence and market share “The opening of our new Slough facility is the culmination of years of work and a huge team effort It supplies over 4.4 million products every month into industries including travel, forecourt, convenience and supermarket retail, the café and coffee shop industry, contract catering, healthcare, education & industry. In 2023 it significantly expanded its London operations when it acquired The Soho Sandwich Company and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in North London. Earlier this month Around Noon was listed in the Growth Index, a ranking of the 100 fastest-growing companies in the UK. The public are being urged to act responsibly when enjoying the countryside over the coming months to reduce the risk of further wildfires NIFRS received 2,762 fire calls to their Regional Control Centre and mobilised to 1,499 of these with 390 of them relating to gorse and wildfire incidents Environment and Rural Affairs Ministers recently met and personally thanked Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service firefighters regional control room personnel and support employees involved in fighting the recent wildfires Mike Nesbitt and Andrew Muir visited both NIFRS headquarters in Lisburn and attended a drill night at Ballynahinch Station Speaking after the event Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to meet the NIFRS personnel and firefighters that were involved in tackling the recent gorse and wildfires which ravaged large areas in recent weeks severely impacting our communities and natural environment “My thoughts have been with those who were evacuated from their homes and whose lives and livelihoods were put at risk following these events But foremost also in my mind has been the frontline emergency services fighting to bring these fires under control “Their tremendous work was a testament to the resilience bravery and dedication of our emergency services  The scale of the challenges faced by the crews and partners in the face of extremely dangerous conditions served as a reminder of their unwavering commitment to public safety I wish to express my sincere gratitude for all their efforts “I would ask anyone looking to enjoy the countryside over this current period of good weather and during the coming months to do so responsibly and to be vigilant to the risks of wildfires.” Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said: “I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to thank firefighters in person for their tireless work alongside all other first responders in responding to these fires The scale of the destruction wreaked upon our countryside was heartbreaking to see “These fires caused a devastating impact on wildlife risked livestock and impacted both local residents and businesses That damage however was undoubtedly greatly reduced by the preparedness of all agencies involved with great expertise and courage displayed DAERA was able to support the efforts with the NIEA on site and specialist All-Terrain Vehicles with portable pumps deployed “As we face into the months ahead I would once again appeal to everyone using the countryside we all cherish to exercise care and play their part in reducing the burden on our emergency services We all have a responsibility to prevent a recurrence of these devastating fires.” Recent fires occurred concurrently and over a large area including wildfires reported at Bloody Bridge in Newcastle Sawel Mountain near Newtownstewart and in Dervock in County Antrim with a major incident declared in the Mourne Mountains A significant number were believed to have been started deliberately with hundreds of firefighters and other emergency personnel involved in the response the Ministers met staff from the regional control room support employees as well as firefighters directly involved in the wildfire response They met Ballynahinch On-Call firefighters one of several NIFRS On Call stations in the Newry Mourne & Down council area who were critical to NIFRS response over the wildfire period NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings said: “I would like to express my gratitude to Minister Nesbitt and Minister Muir for their support and recognising the tremendous efforts of our Fire & Rescue Service during the recent wildfires “Our Firefighters worked tirelessly under very challenging and exhausting conditions to bring the fires under control Behind the scenes our control room operators and many support employees ensured that our response was swift Their commitment in such difficult circumstances was exceptional and I am extremely proud of the dedication of our people “As we anticipate more good weather in the days ahead I would urge the public to act safely when enjoying the countryside to help reduce the risk of wildfires.” Northern Ireland's Further Education (FE) sector continues to lead the way in developing skilled professionals through its apprenticeship programmes colleges such as Southern Regional College offer high-quality training that creates a job-ready workforce supporting the region's economic growth provides support at both Level 2 and Level 3 Level 2 programmes offer learners their first step into careers with practical experience while earning while Level 3 apprenticeships deliver advanced technical skills and leadership training for those seeking specialist roles These programmes span numerous sectors including engineering The quality of training is evidenced by outstanding performances in WorldSkills UK competitions often described as the "Olympics of skills." At the most recent competition in Manchester (November 2024) Northern Ireland's FE sector secured an impressive 5 gold medals with one college placing second on the UK college leaderboard FE colleges offer distinct advantages for apprenticeship training: Chair of the FE Sector Principals Group and WorldSkills UK Trustee said: "Apprenticeship programmes delivered within the FE sector are transforming lives and businesses across Northern Ireland They empower individuals with meaningful career pathways and provide employers with a skilled The continued success of our apprentices in WorldSkills competitions is a testament to the high standards of teaching and training delivered by our colleges." Mourne and Down District Council has strategically positioned tourism at the heart of its economic growth plan recognising the sector’s potential as a key driver for prosperity strategic investments and initiatives have transformed the district into one of Northern Ireland’s premier tourism destinations Prior to the Review of Public Administration in 2015 tourism was already a key economic driver within the area and was worth £47.7 million to the local economy in 2015 many of which were within small and medium sized industries tourism had become a critical force for prosperity and within Northern Ireland at that time there was a strong commitment to leverage these global trends the newly formed council identified tourism growth as a key priority setting its sights on a far-reaching ambition to be “one of the premier destinations on the island of Ireland” the Council prepared a bold and strategic four-year plan that would lay the foundations for the longer term The Tourism Strategy 2017-2021 was launched with the promise to “deliver EPIC moments,” reflecting a new approach to creating memorable visitor experiences The strategy focused on building strong partnerships with local businesses regional and international organisations and the existing tourism industry to bring the vision to life Mourne and Down distinctive and set apart from other destinations It redefined the area from a ‘district’ to a ‘visitor destination’ emphasising its unique characteristics that resonated with many visitors while offering an attractive proposition for both adventure and cultural exploration A key milestone in the district’s tourism strategy was the pursuit of UNESCO Global Geopark status for the Mourne Gullion and Strangford Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) the district received the coveted UNESCO recognition in 2023 elevating its international profile and attracting more visitors This accreditation also reinforced the district’s commitment to conservation and education while providing new business opportunities One of the most transformative projects is the £6 million revitalisation of Castlewellan Forest Park supported by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and the Council one of the most significant tree collections in Ireland is being preserved and highlighted as a key visitor attraction The investment aims to restore heritage assets improve accessibility and enhance visitor facilities attracting more visitors into the heart of our rural communities and encouraging them to stay longer Investment in infrastructure has been a cornerstone of the Council’s key priorities Projects to address gaps in visitor infrastructure were identified interpretation and storytelling at focal points Notable projects include improvements to outdoor recreation facilities in partnership with the Department of Agriculture such as the Fallows Walking Trail in Rostrevor; a 16km trail that attracts walkers and nature lovers the Council is developing a new Recreational Hub at Camlough Lake a £3 million investment that will enhance the district’s water-based recreation offering and position Camlough as a key location for adventure tourism the Council has invested in maintaining Blue Flag status for Murlough which recognises exemplary beach cleanliness is part of a broader commitment to enhancing the coastal tourism experience The Council has also demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity through its work with the Mae Murray Foundation ensuring that visitors with mobility challenges have access to beaches at Tyrella and Cranfield funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) aligning with the Council’s goal of creating an inclusive destination the Council has successfully hosted high-profile events and festivals over the past decade contributing significantly to the local economy The launch of the ‘Giant Adventures’ brand in 2017 was a key step in this strategy These events are a central part of the Council’s broader strategy to offer visitors unique and memorable experiences driving tourism revenue and local economic growth Partnerships will continue to be fundamental as we explore a suitable location for Northern Ireland’s first Tree Top Walk providing visitors with a unique perspective of the district’s stunning landscapes By leveraging the strengths of its natural and cultural assets and tapping into growth markets such as business tourism the district is poised to flourish as a prime tourism destination Mourne and Down District Council’s Tourism Strategy has already yielded impressive results but the work is far from complete and a focus on sustainability and inclusivity the Council aims to set itself apart and create a vibrant thriving tourism economy that benefits both residents and visitors alike Mourne and Down is bright and the Council is ready to lead the way in shaping the next chapter of its growth Alliance Councillor Helena Young has condemned a recent racist attack in Newry where five Doctors at Daisy Hill Hospital were subjected to racial abuse five international Doctors and their families were in a park in Newry when individuals approached them and began hurling racial abuse towards them.Cllr Young said: “I was disgusted to learn of the vile racist attack on our Doctors and their families last weekend as they spent their downtime relaxing in the sunshine you depend upon.“All racism should be unequivocally condemned and people should desist from being caught up in social media commentary nurses and their families should be ashamed of themselves.“Our international staff are helping to support our health service across Northern Ireland When the Southern Trust was faced with challenges around staffing issues these medics and their families left their homes to come here and work in our hospitals and nursing homes.“This unacceptable behaviour must come to an end immediately It was only last year that we witnessed the devastating death of nurse Anu Okusanya following similar racist attacks towards her.” Headquarters: 7 Farmley RoadNewtownabbey, BT36 7TYTel: 028 9032 4274 Email: [email protected] Published and promoted by Alliance HQ Declared Donations Website Information Privacy Latest News News Archive Safeguarding Children Policy Safeguarding Adults Policy Join Us Membership Renewal Donate Volunteer Register to Vote Leadership Our MLAs Our MP Our Councillors Work For Us Our History Our Vision Our Policies Political Broadcasts Contact Us Built with Nationbuilder | Made by Tectonica “That kid is really good and I don’t mean really good for a kid I can now retire the torch has been passed”   Stefan Grossman The outstanding young blues and folk guitarist and singer from Donegal has sold out concerts throughout Ireland and the UK and her online performances have been viewed over two million times She received a standing ovation on Jools Holland’s BBC show and was a hit on RTE’s Late Late Show Her debut album reached number 1 on the Amazon download chart U.K She won Most Promising Act in the Hot Press Reader's Poll 2024 Tickets (£12.50) from Crawfords Bar at the Rostrevor Inn 33-35 Bridge St (daily from 3pm) or by ringing the Rostrevor Inn on 028 417 39911 or from Good Craic Gifts in the Square POSITION: Part-Time Teacher of PE (two days per week) DURATION: This is a temporary 2-year post from September 2025 DESCRIPTION: The Board of Governors of Sacred Heart Grammar School Newry, in conjunction with the school’s trustees, invites applications for the following post for September 2025. Information packs are available from the school website: www.shsnewry.com EMPLOYER: Sacred Heart Grammar School Newry CLOSING DATE: The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Friday 9th May  2025 APPLY: Application forms and information packs are available from the school website: www.shsnewry.com See Latest Jobs at www.newry.ie/jobs Mourne and Down District Council have said they are disappointed at today's 1 May not to grant a lease for the Thomas's Quarry site on Slieve Donard Newcastle where the Council's Mourne Mountains Gateway Project was based It seems that council see the National Trust's decision as the end of the line for the project which would have seen a visitors centre on the slopes of Slieve Donard accessed via a Gondola ride from Newcastle A council spokesperson said it would be a huge project economic loss for the area “The project - featuring a gondola from Donard Park to a new centre at Thomas's Mountain - had tremendous potential to revitalise our region creating significant employment and attracting up to 365,000 yearly visitors by 2029 “The National Trust's decision not to grant a lease result in a huge project economic loss for the area undermining a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Newcastle and the surrounding region We understand that this will be devastating for the local area which is dependent on a rural economy Many locals welcomed the project to further bolster Newcastle and the Mournes as a global tourist attraction “We are currently engaging with the Department for the Economy and the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) partners to consider next steps." The council spokesperson also explained that a comprehensive environmental impact assessment was already underway to consider and address the specific concerns raised by the Trust A key aspect of the Project was what they explained as "the unique opportunity to consider visitor management to the wider Mournes area alongside the specific project location." The council said this would have included proposed controls and interventions that would have further enhanced protected and restored the fragile environment Drawing Day has become a major annual event for Museums focusing on a range of drawing activities that invite participants to engage with museum collections and current exhibitions.              This year Newry and Mourne Museum will be taking part with drop-in workshops from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 17 May These sessions will include drawing a selection of objects from the Museum’s handling collection for still life sketching and life-drawing classes which will appeal to the over 10s There will also be a communal drawing project for the younger children which will focus on the street where we live “this event is a wonderful opportunity for young people to engage with the Museum’s collection and create their own wonderful piece of art but they will mentored by renowned local artists.” Anna-Marie Savage is a contemporary visual artist based in Omeath She graduated in Fine Art from the Belfast School of Art Her work has featured in many exhibitions throughout Ireland Mark O’Neill graduated from Liverpool University with a BA in Fine Art and his work has been featured in solo exhibitions and collective shows in New York These drop-in workshops are free of charge and an adult must accompany all children who attend. For more information or to book please email Declan.Carroll@nmandd.org Mourne and Down District Council is pleased to announce that Newry Leisure Centre Pool will reopen on 12 March following the completion of major refurbishment works wet side play area and health suite have all been upgraded with the extensive works including a complete replacement of all tiles in the pool areas the learner pool has been adjusted to a shallower depth making it more comfortable and accessible for children and families during recreational swimming and lessons The main pool’s hydraulic floor has also been fully repaired which will benefit aquatic clubs and enhance programming flexibility The health suite will feature a rejuvenated spa pool Upgrades to the steam room’s water system have improved heat intensity for a more relaxing experience while the sauna now boasts additional seating to increase capacity “I am delighted that we can now confirm the much-anticipated pool reopening date as Wednesday We understand how important this facility is to the community and sincerely appreciate our customers' patience and support throughout the extensive refurbishment process “As well as having undertaken essential works the refurbished facilities now offer an enhanced environment and an even better experience for swimmers of all ages We eagerly look forward to welcoming everyone back to enjoy all that Newry Leisure Centre Pool has to offer.” Normal service is also resuming on swimming lessons and the internationally recognised National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) training Please keep an eye on our NMD Be Active Facebook page for the latest information Organics recycling company Natural World Products (NWP) is marking International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) by partnering with Newry Mourne and Down District Council and other local councils to provide householders with free bags of compost Residents can collect one bag of compost at the ‘giveaway’ events on Tuesday 6 or Wednesday 7 May at any of Newry Mourne and Down District Council's 10 Household Recycling Centres The compost is distributed on a first come first served basis with one bag per vehicle so get there early to avoid disappointment Mourne and Down District Council area in 2023 over 20,000 tonnes of biodegradable waste was converted to compost ICAW runs from 4 – 10 May and aims to raise awareness about the benefits of composting highlighting its role in combating climate change In collaboration with councils within the arc21 waste management group NWP will distribute free bags of high-quality peat-free compost made from household organics collected from across Northern Ireland Mourne and Down District Council residents will have the opportunity to collect their free compost from designated collection points Community Growing & Outreach Manager at NWP emphasised the importance of this initiative: “We are thrilled to once again partner with local councils to provide residents with free This initiative not only helps reduce waste but also promotes a circular economy by returning valuable organic matter back to the soil ‘Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost’ perfectly aligns with our mission to support communities in making sustainable choices.” NWP processes household food and garden waste into high-quality compost helping to reduce reliance on peat-based products and lower carbon emissions residents can contribute to healthier soils Chief Operating Officer at NWP added:“Compost Awareness Week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our rich created from the organic waste material collected from council areas right across Northern Ireland “On behalf of NWP I would like to thank local householders for their commitment to recycling their household organics responsibly allowing our region to set a standard others aspire to.” International Compost Awareness Week is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative in the compost industry celebrated globally to raise awareness of the benefits of composting in all types of communities from backyard composters to large-scale facilities Newry Cathedral 13th April 2025News Cathedral Saturday 19th April – 10.30am – 12noon The Chrism Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Martin Stations for the JPII youth at 1.00pm in the Cathedral Collection for the Holy Land will be taken up at the stations Easter Vigil of the Resurrection of the Lord Mass times are as normal with an additional Mass in St THERE WILL BE NO 5.30PM MASS IN THE CATHEDRAL 10.30am Mass ONLY in the Cathedral Monday ‒ Saturday NO Evening Mass on Tuesday 22 April in St Mary’s Church NO Evening Mass on Friday 25 April in St Catherine’s Church from Monday 21st April 7.30am Mass will resume on 5th MayVigil Masses as usual on Saturday 26 April in the Cathedral Mourne and Down District Council are to review the new gravel surface they recently laid on the Newry stretch of the Carlingford Lough Greenway between the Albert Basin and Victoria Lock While works carried out to widen the greenway back to its original width were very beneficial course gravel laid on the path following Storm Éowyn makes cycling on it more difficult especially for bicycles with narrow tyres Several readers commented on Newry.ie expressing their concerns for wheelchair users of the facility In a reply to a media query from Newry.ie where we shared some reader comments and asked was the current surface the final surface Mourne and Down District Council acknowledges the concerns raised and will be reviewing the recently laid surface including the stretch from Albert Basin to Victoria Lock particularly in relation to its usability for Greenway users." The spokesperson added "Gravel was chosen for its superior drainage properties and its ability to integrate more naturally with the surrounding landscape." They continued "While there are no plans to tar the path the Council is considering options to improve the surface where needed including the potential use of finer gravel." In conclusion the statement said "The Council greatly values feedback and is committed to ensuring the Greenway is as accessible and enjoyable for its users as possible." Our readers shared their thoughts on the new surface with one comment saying "I've cycled this since it reopened and as much as I'm glad it has opened and the contractors have done a good job it still falls short council needs to realise gravel from newry to the border isn't good enough from border to Carlingford is an amazingly joy to cycle Another said "I was hoping for tarmac - for wheelchair users" while another suggested Councillors should try it out for themselves "this new surface is certainly not an improvement and more needs to be done to make it more usable for walkers wheelchair users and young riders just learning to ride A layer of quarry dust would be a good start Councillors should get on their bikes and take a day trip along from Newry through Omeath to Carlingford to see how to do a Greenway properly and make it accessible to all and ask themselves why are there more path users here than the Victoria Lock to Albert Basin section." Commenting on the stretch undermining progress south of the border another added "I cycled this refurbished path yesterday.The widening and refurbishment are very welcome its much more difficult to use since the works were completed and very uncomfortable and not at all user friendly Please look at the smooth finish to the surface of the Greenway from the border to Omeath and replicate it on the Victoria basin to Newry section This really needs to be improved now as it currently hinders use and undermines great work undertaken and significant investment underway joining the greenway at the border." A reader added "The south gets Tarmac the North gets stones just shows how much the Republic has advanced in the last 50 years compared to the UK"