04/02/2004
Ballylough lake ‘reels in' tourism funding
Anglers visiting the Mourne area are set to benefit from enhanced access at a local fishing ‘hot-spot’, thanks to the Mourne ‘Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative’ (NRRTI).
Castlewellan and Annsborough Angling Club has improved facilities and accessibility at the popular Castlewellan Lake through Mourne NRRTI – funded through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE II) and jointly managed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS).
The improved facilities should benefit anglers with disabilities as it includes the re-surfacing of a length of laneway, the provision of two parking bays located adjacent to the fishing stands and a further three disabled fishing stands, making available seven disabled stands in total.
Speaking at the launch of the project, Philip Harrison, Chairman of Castlewellan and Annsborough Angling Club, said: "The members of our angling club are delighted with the final result and would like to thank the funding organisations and Mourne Heritage Trust for their support through the PEACE II, Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative. Ballylough is already a well established destination for fly fishing enthusiasts and with our enhanced facilities and marketing, we are anticipating a very busy season.
"Angling is a true cross-community activity which holds no political, religious or other bounds and we are delighted that our proposal not only fits the local sustainable tourism strategy but also the EU PEACE II Programme criteria."
Camilla Fitzpatrick, Sustainable Tourism Manager with the Mourne Heritage Trust added: "We are delighted to have been involved in this project and are confident that Ballylough will become one of the leading angling lakes in Northern Ireland."
The completion of this angling-based project comes ten months after Regional Development Minister, Ian Pearson launched the Mourne NRRTI Programme.
It also comes at a time when £1 million has been formally committed to tourism related projects within the Mourne programme, with further £1.5 million readily available for investment in similar projects over the coming year.
(MB)
Castlewellan and Annsborough Angling Club has improved facilities and accessibility at the popular Castlewellan Lake through Mourne NRRTI – funded through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE II) and jointly managed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS).
The improved facilities should benefit anglers with disabilities as it includes the re-surfacing of a length of laneway, the provision of two parking bays located adjacent to the fishing stands and a further three disabled fishing stands, making available seven disabled stands in total.
Speaking at the launch of the project, Philip Harrison, Chairman of Castlewellan and Annsborough Angling Club, said: "The members of our angling club are delighted with the final result and would like to thank the funding organisations and Mourne Heritage Trust for their support through the PEACE II, Natural Resource Rural Tourism Initiative. Ballylough is already a well established destination for fly fishing enthusiasts and with our enhanced facilities and marketing, we are anticipating a very busy season.
"Angling is a true cross-community activity which holds no political, religious or other bounds and we are delighted that our proposal not only fits the local sustainable tourism strategy but also the EU PEACE II Programme criteria."
Camilla Fitzpatrick, Sustainable Tourism Manager with the Mourne Heritage Trust added: "We are delighted to have been involved in this project and are confident that Ballylough will become one of the leading angling lakes in Northern Ireland."
The completion of this angling-based project comes ten months after Regional Development Minister, Ian Pearson launched the Mourne NRRTI Programme.
It also comes at a time when £1 million has been formally committed to tourism related projects within the Mourne programme, with further £1.5 million readily available for investment in similar projects over the coming year.
(MB)
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