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This newsletter is jointly produced by the five bodies representing the Carlingford community, namely:
CCTA – Carlingford & Cooley Tourism Assoc.
CLHT – Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust
CRA – Carlingford Residents Association
CTT – Carlingford Tidy Towns
CCD – Carlingford Community Development (The Foy Centre)
Carlingford Community Forum News
Since the April edition of the Newsletter, the Forum has welcomed the representatives of the Carlingford Residents Association (C.R.A.). Much discussion has centred on issues of public order and enforcement and also noise pollution. The C.R.A. representatives outlined their proposed strategies for dealing with these issues.
The Forum agreed to acceptance of grant aid from the Irish Walled Towns Network for a ‘Carlingford 2018 Urban Renewal Study/Proposal’. The outcome of this study will be put on public display and feedback opportunities will be provided.
Tenders are being sought at present for a Consultant to oversee the 2017 Town & Village Renewal Scheme. In the meantime, ‘Expressions of Interest’ are being sought for the 2018 scheme. It is likely that a reduced number of projects will be grant aided in each county in this year’s scheme.
All the Forum constituent organisations are working hard on their individual projects and report elsewhere in this Newsletter.
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Heritage News
Heritage Centre upgrade
The Heritage Centre is getting a bit of a makeover that required closing to the public in late May but the work is now complete. The interior has been repainted, the fire alarm and emergency lighting were upgraded and new staging and sound equipment are being installed. The work is funded by an Arts and Culture grant from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. All was ready for the “Fusing Fashion with Music” event with classical singer Eve Bourton on Sunday
27th May. If you missed hearing her fantastic, classically trained voice, Eve also has another concert scheduled for 8th July.
Summer Series of musical concerts with Zoë Conway, John McIntyre and friends
29th July – Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Bothy Band Singer and Pianist 5th August – Alex Petcu, Classical Percussionist
12th August – Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Ciarán Mooney, Dancer and Fiddler 19th August – Eoin Dillon, Uilleann Piper of Kila fame
26th August – Liam ÓMaonlaí, Hothouse Flowers Pianist and Singer
Other events for your diary:
15th June – Swedish traditional and folk music with Väsen
15th – 17th August – Thomas D’Arcy McGee International Forum (formerly Summer School) 25th August – All-Ireland Humanist Summer School
Heritage Week
We are currently putting a programme of activities together for Heritage Week, 18th – 26th August. Newry Maritime Association (NMA) will once again illuminate the Haulbowline Lighthouse, in association with Irish Lights.
Pigeonhouse
The ‘Pigeonhouse’, the circular stone structure just past the Four Seasons Hotel, is currently at issue in a planning application. It is not a protected structure, which is regrettable since it is of considerable historical interest.
Although it has undoubtedly housed pigeons at some time, its location and sturdy construction indicate a different origin. It is built on a south-east facing slope which is overlooked by a loophole, a long narrow slit in the wall. The slope would have made an excellent bleaching green for linen and the building closely matches numerous bleach green guard towers in East Down and South Antrim – a smaller, stone-roofed version can be seen in the Folk Museum at Cultra.
Linen production was once a massive industry in North Louth. 1n 1766-67, there were 70,000 yards a year being made on 160 looms in the greater Dundalk area alone and one report said there was a loom in every house in Carlingford (civil) parish. Stealing linen from bleaching greens was highly profitable but dangerous – even if the guard didn’t kill you with his musket, you would be marched straight to the gallows!
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Carlingford & Cooley Tourism Association News
At long last summer has shown itself and Carlingford is looking at its best with the recent spell of good weather. The trees and shrubs are in full bloom and the hedgerows are full of the sounds of nesting birds. Despite some recent unsavoury and unacceptable events, the town is full of families and visitors of all ages, enjoying the many sights and attractions that Carlingford has to offer.
As previously reported the CCTA is very anxious to continue to emphasise its priority to ensure that visitors to Carlingford, and all residents of the town and its surroundings, can go about their everyday activities in a safe, dignified and respectable environment. The CCTA, through the Carlingford Community Forum, supports all measures to control any unacceptable behaviour and will work closely with the community and the authorities to ensure that this is the case.
On the activity side, the CCTA is looking at its structure with a view to rebranding Carlingford as a high- quality venue for visitors. The new concept of “More to Carlingford” will seek to highlight the many attractions that the town has to offer to all ages and interests. This concept is still in the development stage, and the CCTA will hope to update the readership of this Newsletter, and all other interested parties, as our ideas come to fruition.
Plans for the Carlingford Oyster Festival (9th – 14th August) are well advanced and the organiser, Ger Long, tells us that this year’s festival will be a highlight of the Summer season, with many events planned which should appeal to all tastes and ages.
The CCTA continues to play its part in the Thomas D’Arcy McGee International Forum 2018. Under the able direction of James Kelly this year’s event (15th – 17th August) promises to be something very special, with the expectation of attracting many visitors from Canada and Ireland.
A new tourism brochure on the Cooley Peninsula, incorporating elements of the Northern side Carlingford Lough, is nearing completion, thanks to Peter Finegan, and should be available in the very near future. The new brochure will focus on the Lough, as the focal point, and will indicate the many activities and locations available to visitors who wish to immerse themselves in the many wonderful attractions that the region has to offer.
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The Foy Centre
Scouts
The Foy Centre welcomed the local Scout group to the centre for their annual sleep over. The hall was full of excited children having a night away from home with their friends. Great fun was had!
The next pop up evening is a ‘Thai Night’ and will be held on the June Bank Holiday weekend – 1st and 2nd June. Check out ‘The Orchard Bakery & Café’ Facebook page for more details and to book.
Charity Concert
On Sunday 20th May – the annual charity concert was held with St Agnes’ Parents String Orchestra and Cor Chairlinne. A fun evening was had by all of those who attended.
HIIT The Wall Swim
A swimming event was held in Carlingford Lough the last weekend in May. Many swimmers took to the water.
They had some yoga in the Foy Centre before the swim to loosen up their shoulders and then some meditation afterwards. Was great to see the lough full of swimmers.
Date for your diary
The Blood Transfusion van will be in the Foy Centre on Thursday 7th June. Please donate and save a life.
Weekly Activities
The Foy Centre is busy with its usual activities:
Fitness with Marie – 5 times a week. Children’s Funky Feet Dance Group – Every Monday afternoon Martial Arts – Every Tuesday afternoon.
Gymnastics – Every Wednesday afternoon.
Rugby Training – Every Saturday morning
If there’s anything you would like to see happening in the centre or on the pitch please contact Debbie Hamilton on 083 8013777.
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Carlingford Tidy Towns
Watch this space in the coming months because during the morning of Sunday 29th April, volunteers Patricia Tavares and Joanne Redpath prepared and sowed wild flower seeds on the bank at the Foy Centre. Three more volunteers continued the work to clear the embankment on Sunday 13th May.
What a wonderful job our friends in the Community Allotments Association have done by planting an edible landscape in a corner of the Foy Centre pitch. Apple and walnut trees, raspberry, red and blackcurrant bushes and willow. What a great area this will be in the future for children to explore.
On the afternoon of Sunday 29th April, CTT popped out to Greenore to visit our friends Love your Lough who had teamed up with Dundalk Sub-Aqua and Rescue for a beach clean. We separated the rubbish and provided bags. Thanks to Louth County Council who then lifted the marine litter.
We fixed the gate on the Wildlife Sanctuary for the umpteenth time on 28th May and saw this strikingly beautiful red and blue butterfly residing there along with the tiny scarlet pimpernel wild flowers.
Carlingford Adventure Centre are doing their bit to help prevent single use plastic waste. You can now refill your own water bottle here. #refillireland. Well done to Carlingford Adventure Centre, another step towards progress in the battle against waste, and marine litter.
CTT held a Plant Sale on the village green on Sunday 20th May to raise funds to enable the building of stone flowerbeds around each of our new Welcome to Carlingford Signs
Several volunteers then set about building the framework for each of the surrounds to the signs and that stage is now complete. The next task is to face each surround in natural stone. If you have any compost you can donate, please feel free to place it in the containers. We will then fill with topsoil and plant each of them up with a splendid floral display.
We have been admiring how fabulous this new bed on the corner of Ghan Road looks now that it has been planted up. Judging for the National Tidy Towns competition commences at the start of June so, it’s time to get your flower beds, hanging baskets and window boxes ready to impress!
Find us on Facebook.com/CarlingfordTidyTowns
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Carlingford Residents Association
Members of the newly-formed CRA are Rosie Toner, Patricia Travares, Mary Jo McEvoy, Eibhlin Cunningham, Gerry Donnelly, Garret Coburn, Kieran McCourt, June Burke and Maureen McCartan. To date several meetings have taken place and discussion has centred on issues raised by residents in relation to:
- Anti-social behaviour
- Noise pollution
- Parking, particularly relating to access by emergency services vehicles
- Garda presence
- Planning issues
CRA recently met with Councillors Peter Savage, Mark Dearey, Antoin Watters and Conor Keelan from Louth County Council to discuss the issues of concern to residents and what we hope to achieve.
The CRA is represented on the Carlingford Forum by Mary Jo McEvoy and Kieran McCourt. Residents who wish to contact CRA please email carlingfordresidentsassoc@gmail.com
We are delighted that the residents of Abbey Court have replanted the boxes at the entrance to their estate this spring and have created something to inspire us all.
