There was plenty of excitement in Killough last Friday as South Down MP Margaret Ritchie officially opened the new Ropewalk Pathway project opening up the shore front in the picture postcard seaside village.
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South Down MP Margaret Ritchie opens up the Killough Ropewalk. Included are Cllr Dermot Curran, Jim Conlon, Youth and Community Hall and Dr Finbar McCormick, Palatine Trust and pupils from St Joseph’s PS in Killough. [/caption]
Speaking at the launch, Jim Conlon who is on the committee for the Youth and Community Hall, and a former chairman of the Killough Community Association, said: “I would like to thank our MP Margaret Ritchie, the Palatine Trust, and the Down Rural Area Partnership for making this all happen.
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Jim Conlon, Youth and Community Hall, Dr Finbar McCormick, Palatine Trust, South Down MP Maragert Ritchie, Edel Laverty, Killough Community Accociation on the new Killough Ropeworks pathway.[/caption]
“We were working on this project ten years ago in our village strategic plan and now it has come to fruition. The plan emerged initially from the old association and moved on. I am delighted to see this project now finally completed.
“This part of the shore front was used by rope makers as far back as 1785 in the days of the sailing ships and is part of our maritime history.
“Now parents and children will be able to walk around the pathway on the shore once again and enjoy the beautiful sea front. It will inject pride into our village and hopefully make future young people want to live in the area and work here.”
Speaking before cutting the ribbon to officially open the Killough Ropewalk the MP for South Down said: “It is wonderful to see such great community support for Killough Ropewalk. The attendance of so many residents and school children here today is testament to this development having the community at its core. The Palatine Trust has been the driving force behind this project on behalf of the local community. I would like to thank the Palatine Trust for all of their handwork to date, and for bringing this project to completion.
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said: “I was very pleased to assist the Palatine Trust with this project and I am sure there will be many more such successful projects by the Palatine Trust in the years to come as we work together to improve community facilities and the local environment in Killough. It is important that the Palatine Trust and other groups such as the Community Association can bring forward projects that complement the historic nature of Killough as a Conservation area.
“Thanks must go to Killough Youth and Community Hall who organised the funding which was provided by Down Rural Area Partnership (DRAP) and The Palatine Trust. The work was overseen by Down District Council.
“It is vital that we continue to work together to bring forward projects like the Ropewalk that will bring real tangible benefits to the local community and act as attractions for visitors to come to the area and spend in local shops and restaurants. In this regard, I look forward to working with the local Community Association on the Village Plan.”Pupils from the p7 class at St Joseph’s Primary School in Killough were on hand at the official opening and were delighted with the new project.
Related articles:
http://www.downnews.co.uk/killough-ropewalk-completes-ten-year-effort-of-regeneration
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