New Exhibition Charts Ulster-Scots Connections
Discover the Ulster-Scots Heritage of the Ards and North Down –
tells the story of the settlement of the area by the ‘founding fathers’ of the Ulster-Scots, Sir James Hamilton and Sir Hugh Montgomery, and also puts the spotlight on what life was like for early Ulster-Scots families, documenting historic churches and graveyards, the failed 1798 Rebellion and the abortive journey of The Eagle Wing.
Warning Of Bogus Callers In District
SHOULD NOT allow anyone to enter their home without proper identification.”
* xa0The Housing Executive offers the following key advice to tenants:
Get Snapping To Celebrate Local Wildlife
A new photography competition to promote the discovery and enjoyment of Northern Ireland’s countryside and native wildlife was announced today.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Northern Ireland Biodiversity Officers Forum are inviting everyone from across Northern Ireland to submit their photographs for the competition.
The photographs must have Northern Ireland’s landscapes or natural world at their heart and can feature people, places, plants or wildlife. The winning images will feature in a wall calendar for 2012 promoting Northern Ireland’s biodiversity and the winning photographers will also receive a framed print of their image.
Renny McKeown from NIEA said, “There are two entry levels – an under 18 category and an over 18 category. So there’s every chance that your photograph could be one of the lucky ones to be selected.
“The closing date for entry into the competition is Friday 30 September 2011 so if you don’t already have an image you’d like to submit, you have all spring and summer to get snapping and capture your county at its best.”
For further information about the competition including details on how to enter, visit http://www.doeni.gov.uk/digitaldiscoveries]]>
EDAC Notes: Connemara, Hill And Dale And London
CONNEMARA, HILL and DALE and LONDON
Last weekend , while the local interest focused on the Titanic Quarter 10K the annual Connemara Marathon and Ultra Marathon were taking place amid the rugged beauty of Quiet Man country.xa0 After my experiences there last year I had promised to return again this year to exact my revenge for the grief it had caused me.xa0 In the event however I came up with an even more cunning plan, I sent Brian Donnelly along instead knowing that his 3.58 for the marathon distance lat year would prove a good basis for an assault on the challenging 40 mile route.xa0 This strategy was fully vindicated as Brian stormed home in an excellent 6.15.55, placing 60th in a field of almost 200.
The race was won in a time of 4.22.17, in conditions somewhat cooler than in Queen’s Island.xa0 Also in action again werexa0 husband and wife team of John and Wendy Findlay, with John dipping below 4 hours, clipping over 2 minutes offxa0 last year’s time in 3.58 and Wendy taking a massive 12 minutes off her 2010 time, clocking 4.07.xa0 Well done to all 3 and for looking perfectly normal when they arrived home next day.xa0xa0 Well done too to Marc Breteche and Jamie McDowell who recorded 7.31 and 10.04 respectively in the Junior Mile race before the Titanic 10K last Sunday.xa0 Jamie is just 4 years old!
Thursday night saw the return of the Hill and Dale series and my strategy of sending others in my place continued to pay off handsomely. Jim Erskine made an impressive start to the series and was first East Down man home in 41.30 followed closely by Francis Tumelty.xa0 Brian Hamilton was only just pipped for first place in the Over 60 category with Michael Degan a further minute behind in 47.22. Brian Wilson last seen at the AGM on 4 January completed the East Down squad.xa0 Which one was standing in for me? Well it’s a close call but in terms of time and place it has to be Jim.
On Thursday evening several Juniors took part in the first round of the Edwards & Co. Super 5 series at Mary Peters Track with best performances coming from Marc Breteche, just pipped for bronze in the 800 metres and Elaine Burch who took 2nd place in the 1500 metres ladies race.
On to Saturday and Ballynahinch Lions Club 10K saw the return to winning ways of Brendan Teer, clocking 33.04 well clear of Matthew Wilson in 2nd.xa0 This race, over a challenging 2 lap course, also saw another impressive run by Murlough’s Donna McCusker to claim 3rd place in the ladies race.
And then it was Sunday and the long awaited for London Marathon.xa0 As usual conditions were hot and humid but East Down’s Mark McDowell clearly relished the heat as he recorded a new personal best of 3.24 with Stephen McCartan enjoying the occasion immensely and clocking 4.02, a nice wee warm up for Belfast and Edinburgh in May which he is running to raise money for a cancer charity in memory of his late brother in law.
The 30th running of the Belfast Marathon will see record numbers of over 20,000 on the streets on Monday 2nd May and a large number of local runners will be involved.xa0 Most are putting the final touches to their training and are tapering down while carbo loading (eating like pigs) as the days count down.xa0 Best wishes to all of you – we’ll be waiting for you at Ormeau Park gates.]]>
Reminder Of GP Surgery Arrangements Over Holidays
Reminder to get your prescription filled in advance of Easter Holiday and extended Bank Holiday.
GP Practices will be closed for Easter on Monday 25th April and Tuesday, 26th April.xa0 Practices will also be closed on Fridayxa0 29th April for the Royal Wedding and Monday 2nd May for thexa0 Bank Holiday.
Castlewellan GAC Notes
Sean Patrick Carville from our Under-14 Hurlers who qualified for the All-Ireland Feile Hurling Skills Competition on Saturday against some of the best hurling talent in the County. The Feile was of course hosted by Caislean An Mhuilinn. This is an absolutely fantastic Achievement by Sean who will go on to represent our Club on the All-Ireland stage. Well done to Sean and his mentors.
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