Carlingford Community Newsletter August 2017 Edition › wp-content › uploads › 2017 › 09 ›...

Carlingford Community Newsletter Newsletter No 43

August 2017

Carlingford Community Newsletter August 2017 Edition

Carlingford Community Forum News

Apart from some background work for the Bank of Ireland’s Enterprising Towns Awards, Forum

members have been extremely busy with their individual organisations and so the Forum has taken

a summer break. More next time.

Heritage News

We are delighted to tell you that the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather

Humpreys TD, has recently approved a grant of €20,000 towards an upgrade of our beloved

Carlingford Heritage Centre.

Application for the funding was made under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme, Stream 3, which

focuses on upgrading facilities at smaller cultural and heritage centres and arts venues, where the

facilities are a focal point within their communities. The amount awarded is the maximum single

amount to any organisation under the scheme and the only maximum award made in County Louth.

This funding is earmarked for an upgrade of the building's safety systems, lighting, stage and sound

systems, improved accessibility, landscaping and a timely redecoration.

The application made reference to the Centre’s place as a renowned space for arts and budding talent

in addition to being a community hub - hosting receptions for visiting delegations, community

information sessions and providing training opportunities.

Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust is required to make matching funding available, an example of the

Trust’s commitment to maintaining and improving community facilities and the built heritage of the

town. In addition to recent funding successes through LEADER and Better Energy Communities, the

award confirms that the Trust is continuing to seize available opportunities for investment which will

bring community benefit going forward.

This newsletter is jointly produced by the

four bodies representing the Carlingford

community, namely:

Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust CLHT

Carlingford & Cooley Tourism Assoc. CCTA

Carlingford Tidy Towns CTT

Carlingford Community Development CCD

(The Foy Centre)


August 2017

Thomas D'Arcy McGee 150th Canadian celebrations

August has been a busy time front-of-house in the Heritage Centre. From August 21st to August 23rd

we hosted the annual D'Arcy McGee Summer School. As we previously mentioned, this was a special

year for the summer school as it marks 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Canadian

Confederation, in which D'Arcy McGee himself played an important role.

This year's Summer School was well attended, concluding with a very lively debate about Brexit. This

was followed by a march, led by our own and visiting piped bands, to an open-air concert at the

Sailing Club.

Carlingford hosted internationally known celebrities, including Gen. John De Chastelain, Bertie

Ahern, Colum Eastwood and Finbar Furey, as well as a host of Canada and Ireland’s leading

academics and historians, led by Eastwood, Prof. David Wilson (McGee’s award-winning

biographer). The three-day event from 21st to 23rd of August was based at the Heritage Centre, but

the programme worked hard to ensure participation throughout the town.

The ever-popular ‘Trials in the Courthouse’ this year featured the world premiere of Trial of the

Orange Order, by Anthony Russell, to a packed audience (the Order was found guilty of treason

against Ireland and Britain!). The Folk ‘n Irish traditional night in the Carlingford Arms had a

mouth-watering line of Ireland’s best singers and musicians, including Finbar Furey, Gerry and

Finnan O’Connor, Column Sands, and Manus Maguire.

But for many, the Party on the Green on Wednesday afternoon was a special moment. Attendees from

all over the world, including Australia, Canada, Poland, USA and Ireland, north and south, were

piped from the Heritage Centre through the village and across to the sailing club for a huge outdoor

birthday party and cutting of the cake, to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.


August 2017

The local Carlingford pipe band joined with the Altnaveigh pipe band from Newry to lead a colourful

parade of locals and visitors on a sun-drenched afternoon to the spectacular, scenic setting of the

sailing club.

The summer school is indebted to Pat O’Callaghan, Louth County Council, the County Librarian and

staff, the Carlingford Lough Heritage Trust, the Carlingford Lough Sailing Club, Carlingford

Adventure Centre, Newpoint Players, Newry, and the Pipe Maj David Hannah and the Altnaveigh

Pipe Band, Pipe Major, Paddy McShane and the Carlingford Pipe Band. Many other individuals

and volunteers, too numerous to mention, came together in a huge, community led effort to celebrate

Carlingford’s premier position as one of Ireland’s key contributors to the establishment of the

Canadian nation 150 years ago. Thomas D’Arcy McGee asked, in one of his poems, “Will I be

remembered in Ireland?” This year’s summer school was a resounding YES to that question.


August 2017

This was the best Thomas D’Arcy McGee Summer School ever! A bit of a cliché, but in this instance

undoubtedly true.

The only darker moment was the announcement that the popular and efficient Tommy Fagan will be

stepping down as the summer school’s director. After six years given the success of this, and previous

years, Tommy will be a very hard act to follow.

Lots more photographs will be available shortly on the photo Gallery, 2017,

www.thomasdarcymcgee.com

Also in July and August we have enjoyed the five concerts in our annual Summer Series, led by Zoe

Conway and John McIntyre. This series included a delightful surprise when a group of middle-eastern

musicians joined Zoe and John at short notice.

The pleasure is set to continue on 10th September when our old friends, Le Quatuor de Luxembourg,

return to Carlingford with a concert to include Mendelssohn and six Irish Melodies.

The concert takes place in the Heritage Centre, Old Holy Trinity Church, from 16.00. Concert

tickets, costing €15 (or €10 for concessions), can be purchased online at:

www.carlingfordheritagecentre.com

or e-mail: [email protected]

or phone +353 42 9373454 or +353 42 9373888.

http://www.thomasdarcymcgee.com/

http://www.carlingfordheritagecentre.com/


August 2017

In a previous edition of the Newsletter we mentioned that we would shortly announce another special

event.

For some months now we have been toiling away on a pilot son et lumière presentation telling the

story of Carlingford through the ages.

A preview of this was held at the Heritage Centre on Saturday 19th August when we screened a video

entitled “The Ages of Carlingford”. This tells the story of Carlingford and Cooley - in words,

pictures and music - from the Ice Age and the first human settlement through the Viking and Norman

invasions and on to the Age of Steam. Along the way we meet Cuchulainn, Queen Maeve and the

Great O'Neill and marvel at original drone footage - shot especially for the piece - clearly showing

cultivation ridges still left behind on our uplands by the first farmers.

The video is set to a stirring original sound track by our own Zoe Conway and concludes with a

tribute to the crew of Rescue 116.

If you missed the première then fear not. On Saturday 9th September, there will be a second free

performance, outdoors this time, at the Fair Green in Carlingford (otherwise known as the car park

outside the Tholsel Gate) from around 8.00 pm. On this occasion the beautiful stained-glass window

of the Heritage Centre, overlooking the Fair Green, will be backlit. We also plan to light up

surrounding trees and structures to create an immersive effect.

Please come along and enjoy the show. If you like it, we hope that it may become an annual

event.


August 2017

Preview of ‘The Ages of Carlingford’ event

Carlingford & Cooley Tourism Association News

CARLINGFORD OYSTER FESTIVAL 2017


August 2017


August 2017

The main annual event organised by the CCTA is the Carlingford Oyster Festival which was held on

the weekend of the 10th August and ran until the Monday of 14th August. This year’s Festival proved

to be an outstanding success with events and activities for both visitors and locals of all ages.


August 2017

As usual, the highlight of the Festival was the crowning of the Oyster Queen at the Four Seasons Hotel

at a special evening on Sunday 13th. The well-deserved winner was Mary Rose McCarragher (pictured

above) from Cooley, who was crowned in front of a large crowd who attended the event in the ballroom

of the hotel.

Mary excelled at all the challenges faced by the contestants over the previous days, but that is not to

take from all the other contestants, who also rose to the many tasks they were required to do.

The presence of Cassily’s Fun Fair over the period of the Oyster Festival and the previous August

Holiday weekend provided much enjoyment for the many family groups and young people who visited

Carlingford over the period. This year we were blessed with generally good weather and this lifted

everybody’s spirits and added to the sense of wellbeing throughout the Festival.

As always, the serving of oysters, complemented by a glass of Guinness or wine in the Market Square

was a main feature on the Saturday and Sunday. The efforts of all the volunteers at the Festival tent

ensured a ready supply of oysters which were consumed as fast as the oysters were opened. Many other

people participated in the Festival with stalls offering a diverse range of products and services from

jewellery and wood carvings, to cheese, fish products and ice creams as well as many other related food

products. St.Brigid’s marching band were a welcome addition to the Festival as was the dancing and

music in the Market Square.

On the Monday, which concluded the Festival, much fun was held throughout the village with the

annual tug of war, won by the Foy Centre. The last day is geared towards local children and their

parents with relay races for different ages, egg and spoon, and three-legged races. All who participated

received a medal. Unfortunately, Cassily’s, who normally offer special concessions to all family groups

on this family day, were obliged to close for safety reasons, due to the thunder and lightning.

The Festival is a great tribute to all who organised, sponsored, participated and visited the Festival and

shows what can be achieved when the whole Community in Carlingford and Cooley comes together to

achieve a successful event such as the Carlingford Oyster Festival for the benefit for all who live and

work in Carlingford.

To all who helped and supported the Festival – a big “ THANK YOU ALL”

The Foy Centre

Drainage of pitch

The drainage and the path around the pitch have been

completed. The grass has been sown but it will take

another couple of months to reach maturity and readiness

for playing on.


August 2017

The lighting will be fully functional by the time that the grass is ready. We look forward to the months ahead

and having a busy pitch. Should you wish to use the pitch for your sporting events please contact us on the

number below.

Thriller Race

The Annual ‘Da Cooley Thriller XC Mountain Bike Marathon’ (54km) took place on Saturday 12th August. The

Foy Centre was the venue for registration, the start/finish line, food and drinks station and the presentation

ceremony. There was a great turn out at the event and all attending had a brilliant day.

The overall winner was David Montgomery.

Pictured here is Johnny McCabe presenting him with the

Gerry McCabe ‘Da Cooley Thriller’ Trophy.


August 2017

Irish Dance Festival

The Foy Centre was delighted to accommodate the Irish Dance Festival. Children from all over the world got

the chance to spend a week with the best team of teachers, including former World Champions, to transform

them into stronger, more powerful and confident Irish Dancers. They held a concert on the Saturday evening

in the Foy Centre and performed what they had learnt from the week. A great week was had by everyone.

Street Sports Day

The Foy Centre entered a team for the annual ‘tug o’ war’ street sports day. Staff from PJs went head to

head with the previous winners of the trophy, The Carlingford Arms. The Carlingford Arms won following

three rounds against PJs.


August 2017

They then had to go against the Foy Centre team, which was represented by members of the community

resulting in the Foy Centre winning this year’s trophy.

Well done to all of those who joined in.

The winning team!

The Des Savage Cup being presented by Marie Savage.

If there’s anything you would like to see happening in the center or on the pitch please contact Debbie

Hamilton on 083 8013777.


August 2017

Carlingford Tidy Towns

You can be so proud of your local coffee shops. All of these Carlingford cafés have agreed to offer

their customers discount if they takeaway a coffee in their own reusable travel mug. This means less

waste to landfill and savings for you and the environment. It is all part of ‘The Conscious Cup

Campaign’. The campaign rewards customers and also Geo-tags participating cafes. #cccampaign

#consciouscup #wasteprevention.

Since being the first in County Louth to sign up to the Conscious Cup Campaign, Carlingford’s Cafes

have been mentioned on the radio when Joanne Redpath was interviewed by Gerry Kelly on LMFM.


August 2017

Hats off to Setanta Triathlon Club for using our Reusable beakers for their Carlingford Land of

Legends Triathlon. Carlingford Tidy Towns beakers are available for anyone to loan out free of

charge for their community event. Please ring 0429373686 if you want to make your event greener

and more sustainable by using reusable instead of disposable cups and bottles.

Congratulations also to the organisers of the Carlingford Wilderness Festival 10k running and walking

trail. We were so proud to see our reusable beakers used for the water station. 500 cups were

borrowed from Carlingford Tidy Towns in a great effort to reduce or minimise waste. Takeaway food

such as burgers were also served in napkins keeping waste sent to landfill to a minimum.

CTT volunteers have been cleaning and repainting lamppost bases all around the town in recent

weeks. It all contributes to a well-cared for look to our town.


August 2017

One thing we would like to ask people to refrain from doing is the practice of emptying their car

ashtrays and individual cigarette butts into the gutter. These are not bio-degradable and would stay

there for months if we didn’t sweep the streets regularly!

Our thanks to all 12 volunteers who helped in our tidy up event last Saturday. We concentrated efforts on weeding and sweeping the tennis courts which are now much improved and some tennis enthusiasts helped too! Then we turned our attention to weeding and enhancing the flower beds around King John's Castle. We also made a start on weeding and removing overgrown briars at the

pier. Thank you to The Carlingford Arms for the sandwiches and our own Denise for home baked apple pie and rock cakes that made a mornings hard labour all worth it.

There were oodles of enthusiasm for the task today, so we will probably be undertaking another event in September - keep an eye out on Facebook and the community newsletter for details.

We have been working with the waste

collection companies to obtain a brown

bin collection for Carlingford in order to

recycle food waste.


August 2017

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Tribute to the crew of Rescue Helicopter R116

A fitting tribute to the crew of downed helicopter R116 was held in and around Carlingford Lough on Sunday 30th July.


August 2017

The memorial event commenced with a dinghy race in Rostrevor Bay where the Coast Guard and RNLI had stalls on the beach and gave demonstrations whilst a Silver Band played. Then a lone Piper played a lament on the Shore Road Green as the first of 110 boats came up the Lough in single file.

The flotilla made up of all types of vessels including the Kilkeel and Clogherhead Lifeboats, departed from Warrenpoint to hold a memorial service on the Lough with wreaths laid in memory of each of the crew, Ciaran, Mark, Paul and Dara.

One thing that really stood out was the cross-border co-operation between the Irish Coastguard, HM Coastguard, the Garda, PSNI, and search and rescue teams from either side of the boarder.

Boats returned to Carlingford Marina to the strains of the Lone Piper at 6pm, followed by a dinner in the Sitar restaurant.

Each boat had laid either a white or red rose in the water as another rescue helicopter flew past. Red roses symbolise love, white roses valour and the two together stand for unity. This demonstrated that we stand united as a Marine community in love and respect for our valiant heroes. May their souls rest in peace.


August 2017

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Find us on Facebook.com/CarlingfordTidyTowns

Thank you for supporting your community

If you have any ideas or comments please Email them to [email protected]

and I will ensure they are brought to the attention of the appropriate committee.

mailto:[email protected]

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