27/04/2010
Shore Redevelopment 'Digs Up History'
An area of Co Antrim that is rich in archaeological history is to be 'handled sensitively' in advance of a major road scheme.
One of Europe's largest commercial archaeology companies, Headland Archaeology Ltd, has been awarded a £250,000 tender to provide archaeological investigations ahead of road improvement to the A2.
The redevelopment of the Shore Road section of the A2 at Greenisland, Co Antrim is being managed by Scott Wilson Group Plc and was commissioned by the NI Roads Service.
The widening of the 2.5km stretch from two lanes to four lanes, forms part of an overall £55m project to develop the link between Belfast and Carrickfergus.
Colm Moloney, Managing Director, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd. said: "We are very much looking forward to building upon our growing reputation in Northern Ireland. "Advance investigations are now underway at the A2 site.
"We will be excavating sensitively as this is an environmentally important area, and we have commissioned ecologists to make sure we do not cause any harm, for example by disturbing badgers."
The former Carrickfergus Bay - long since renamed as Belfast Lough - along which the A2 runs, is brim-full of history.
King William III landed at Carrickfergus in 1689 to meet his army, which had come ashore near Greenisland, which is adjacent to the road scheme, on route to the historic Battle of the Boyne.
The only naval engagement of the American War of Independence was fought - and won - by John Paul Jones for the rebel forces - just off Carrick Castle and today, the iconic White House, at Whitehouse, again beside the A2, is generally recognised as one of Ireland's oldest and most important buildings.
It is first shown on a map of 1569-70 entitled 'Cragfergus Baie' the original name for Belfast Lough.
This chart shows only four identifiable buildings along the western side as Carrickfergus Castle, Castle Lugg (only the ruins of which still remain), The White House and Belfast Castle, which stood at Castle Junction in High Street, Belfast, until it was completely destroyed by fire in 1702.
(NS/BMcC)
One of Europe's largest commercial archaeology companies, Headland Archaeology Ltd, has been awarded a £250,000 tender to provide archaeological investigations ahead of road improvement to the A2.
The redevelopment of the Shore Road section of the A2 at Greenisland, Co Antrim is being managed by Scott Wilson Group Plc and was commissioned by the NI Roads Service.
The widening of the 2.5km stretch from two lanes to four lanes, forms part of an overall £55m project to develop the link between Belfast and Carrickfergus.
Colm Moloney, Managing Director, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd. said: "We are very much looking forward to building upon our growing reputation in Northern Ireland. "Advance investigations are now underway at the A2 site.
"We will be excavating sensitively as this is an environmentally important area, and we have commissioned ecologists to make sure we do not cause any harm, for example by disturbing badgers."
The former Carrickfergus Bay - long since renamed as Belfast Lough - along which the A2 runs, is brim-full of history.
King William III landed at Carrickfergus in 1689 to meet his army, which had come ashore near Greenisland, which is adjacent to the road scheme, on route to the historic Battle of the Boyne.
The only naval engagement of the American War of Independence was fought - and won - by John Paul Jones for the rebel forces - just off Carrick Castle and today, the iconic White House, at Whitehouse, again beside the A2, is generally recognised as one of Ireland's oldest and most important buildings.
It is first shown on a map of 1569-70 entitled 'Cragfergus Baie' the original name for Belfast Lough.
This chart shows only four identifiable buildings along the western side as Carrickfergus Castle, Castle Lugg (only the ruins of which still remain), The White House and Belfast Castle, which stood at Castle Junction in High Street, Belfast, until it was completely destroyed by fire in 1702.
(NS/BMcC)
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23 January 2017
Man Dies In Road Crash Between Belfast And Bangor
A man has died in a road crash between Belfast and Bangor. The incident occurred at the junction of the Ballyrobert Road after 2am on Monday, 23 January. The A2 was closed however it has since re-opened. Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them.
Man Dies In Road Crash Between Belfast And Bangor
A man has died in a road crash between Belfast and Bangor. The incident occurred at the junction of the Ballyrobert Road after 2am on Monday, 23 January. The A2 was closed however it has since re-opened. Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them.
21 November 2008
Aldergrove Is 'For The Birds'
Birds of a feather seem indeed to flock together, with a partnership just announced between high-flyers at Belfast International Airport and those caring for wildfowl at a successful bird sanctuary in Co Down.
Aldergrove Is 'For The Birds'
Birds of a feather seem indeed to flock together, with a partnership just announced between high-flyers at Belfast International Airport and those caring for wildfowl at a successful bird sanctuary in Co Down.
14 January 2011
Holywood A2 Back To Normal After 'Incident'
Thousands of drivers were caught up in traffic chaos during an 'incident' that led to day-long disruption in east Belfast on Thursday. Earlier, passing rush hour motorists on what is one of NI's busiest roads were shocked to see a hooded figure sitting on the edge of a traffic and pedestrian bridge around 8am.
Holywood A2 Back To Normal After 'Incident'
Thousands of drivers were caught up in traffic chaos during an 'incident' that led to day-long disruption in east Belfast on Thursday. Earlier, passing rush hour motorists on what is one of NI's busiest roads were shocked to see a hooded figure sitting on the edge of a traffic and pedestrian bridge around 8am.
15 February 2011
Shore Road A2 Upgrade Hit By Cuts
There's a row brewing over news of wasted cash after a major Co Antrim road project has been abruptly shelved. Following the revelation that the Roads Service has already spent £16m on the A2, Roy Beggs MLA has again questioned why the Minister proposes to commit £675m on the (separate) A5 before completing its investment in the A2 Belfast road.
Shore Road A2 Upgrade Hit By Cuts
There's a row brewing over news of wasted cash after a major Co Antrim road project has been abruptly shelved. Following the revelation that the Roads Service has already spent £16m on the A2, Roy Beggs MLA has again questioned why the Minister proposes to commit £675m on the (separate) A5 before completing its investment in the A2 Belfast road.
30 September 2010
A2 Bangor Ring Road Resurfaced
Work on a £125,000 resurfacing scheme at the Bloomfield Road Roundabout on the A2 Bangor Ring Road, Co Down will start next week. The work, carried out by the Department for Regional Development's (DRD) Roads Service, will begin on Monday 4 October 2010 and is scheduled for completion in seven weeks.
A2 Bangor Ring Road Resurfaced
Work on a £125,000 resurfacing scheme at the Bloomfield Road Roundabout on the A2 Bangor Ring Road, Co Down will start next week. The work, carried out by the Department for Regional Development's (DRD) Roads Service, will begin on Monday 4 October 2010 and is scheduled for completion in seven weeks.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.