NEWSLETTERS
COP26 Special
November 2021
COP26, postponed from last year because of Covid 19, has come and gone leaving many governments and activists around the world deeply disappointed and very worried indeed...
NWBCN Newsletter - Special
It's official - the bridge will be built!
November 2021
NWBCN Newsletter
The Stormont Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon and her counterpart on the Narrow Water Bridge, Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing in the Dáil, brought more than October sunshine on their visit to Narrow Water last month....
Taoiseach announces Narrow Water Bridge!
August 2021
NWBCN Newsletter
On the eve of Taoiseach Micheál Martin's announcement regarding the bridge, the NWBCN committee was holding a meeting. The mood was sombre...
Where Nothing Happens ... Twice!
March 2021
NWBCN Newsletter
Waiting for Godot by the Dublin playwright Samuel Beckett, someone said, is a play where nothing happens....twice!
Warrenpoint in economic development terms at least, is a place where nothing happens...all the time! ...
PROPOSAL: Build the bridge and get Ireland's first Cycle Expressway FREE
June 2021
NWBCN Newsletter
PROPOSAL:
Build the bridge and get Ireland's first Cycle Expressway FREE!
...
The waiting goes on
March 2021
NWBCN Newsletter
Waiting for Godot by the Dublin playwright Samuel Beckett, someone said, is a play where nothing happens....twice!
Warrenpoint in economic development terms at least, is a place where nothing happens...all the time! ...
"We must build back better!" says the President-Elect.
December 2020
NWBCN Newsletter
The news that Joe Biden had convincingly won the US election was largely met with a great sense of relief throughout most of Europe and was especially welcomed in this part of the world....
October 2020
Micheál Martin announces ring-fenced funding for the Narrow Water Bridge
Since the the launch of the New Decade, New Approach document in January, heralding the much anticipated return to Stormont by the political parties, a positive story on the Narrow Water Bridge has been building...
NWBCN Newsletter
Taoiseach launches Shared Island Strategy
22 October, 2020
Micheál Martin announces ring-fenced funding for the Narrow Water Bridge and a number of other cross border projects for “full delivery without undue delay”.
NWBCN impressed by Minister Mallon's commitment
September 2020
The Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon confirmed her commitment to delivering the Narrow Water Bridge when she met online last week with members of the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network. A proposed visit ...
NWBCN Newsletter
Minister for Infrastructure meets NWBCN on site at Narrow Water
09 September, 2020
Department of Infrastructure
“I am committed to progressing the Narrow Water Bridge project. I recognise the strong local support for a bridge to link the communities on both sides of Carlingford Lough and to take full advantage of the tourism potential of this cross-border region, whilst protecting the natural environment in this area of historic and ecological significance." Nichola Mallon
Recent announcement by Infrastructure Minister very much to be welcomed
July 2020
NWBCN Newsletter
The recent announcement by Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon regarding the Narrow Water Bridge is very much to be welcomed. Her recent interview with the Newry Reporter displays a level of commitment to the Narrow Water Bridge yet unseen in any previous minister with her portfolio. ...
Covid-19 Special
June 2020
This picture was taken on the 4 May in the middle of the Covid-19 Lockdown. ...The eerie stillness evoked in the picture is real. With over 95% of air traffic grounded there are no condensation trails in the skies above the lough. The streets are almost devoid of cars and the only sound is birdsong! The skies have never been clearer since the 1930's! ...
NWBCN Newsletter
Stormont is back!
February 2020
NWBCN Newsletter
The long overdue and very welcome return of the Assembly has re-ignited hopes of the bridge being built at Narrow Water. The New Decade, New Approach Agreement under the heading "Turbocharging Projects"...
Ireland's Ancient East
October 14, 2019
Irish Times
It is hard to image a more ancient and iconic site than Saul near Downpatrick believed to be the burial place of St Patrick. The NWBCN has long called for the extension of Ireland's Ancient East to include the eastern counties of Northern Ireland, a landscape as littered with remains of our ancient past both Christian and Pre-Christian as the counties further south. It is heartening to note that political support for this is gathering.
Brexit Special
May 2018
For a couple of days at the end of April the border counties became the centre of the Brexit world. And not without good reason! Ireland will be the most directly effected by the UK's decision to leave the European Union. ...
NWBCN Newsletter
Geopark Status for the Mournes and Gullion?
March 2018
NWBCN Newsletter
NWBCN very much welcomes the UNESCO application currently being considered by Newry Mourne & Down District Council. The benefits of such a status, should it be granted, are enormous. ...
Brussels border fallback position, Ireland's Ancient East, cycle tourism & uniting communities.
February 2018
Ominous cloud formation above the lough, a portent perhaps of the difficult days ahead as Brussels prepares this week to publish a legal text of the agreement reached by the British and Irish governments last December. ...
NWBCN Newsletter
Bridging the EU/UK border & missed NI tourist potential from the Republic
January 2018
NWBCN Newsletter
... For decades the people of the area campaigned for a bridge crossing at Narrow Water. The inset picture is an artist's impression of the bridge which despite the approval of both governments in 2012 and the promise of substantial funding from the EU, scandalously failed to go ahead! ...
Cycle Tourism a Growing Global Business
January 20, 2018
Irish Times
The Great Western Greenway, a pioneer initiative in long-distance cycle trail boasts of creating some 200 tourism-related jobs in County Mayo. This growth in active tourism such as cycling and walking is one of the underpinning arguments in support of the building of the Narrow Water Bridge.
Tourist opportunities missed
December 06, 2017
Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland Tourist Board fails to fully exploit tourist potential of the Republic missing out on £140 million of visitor revenue.
DFI details Southern Relief Road Options
November 20, 2017
Department for Infrastructure
Public consultation held on 14-15 November to help decide a "Preferred Option" for the project, based on three shortlisted routes for the proposed scheme.
Planning Resolved at Narrow Water
October 24, 2017
Newry Reporter
Axe on plans for North South bridge narrowly avoided as Louth County Council take 11th hour action.
Sinead Bradley MLA continues to fight for the bridge
October 23, 2017
DOWN NEWS
"The proposal to have a bridge at Narrow Water has widely been accepted as a project that will achieve economic gains while uniting communities..."
Varadkar pledges funding for the bridge
August 04, 2017
Irish News
Varadkar said his capital plan would benefit people on both sides of the border.
Fears over planning at Narrow Water
July 08, 2017
Irish Times
Planning permission for the proposed Narrow Water cross-border bridge runs out in October, warns economic development organisation.
NWBCN welcome additional cash for NI
June 25, 2017
NWBCN Press Release
Mr Jim Boylan, Chairman of the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network, has welcomed the recent offer of financial support for Northern Ireland from the Theresa May government to the DUP despite the storm of controversy that it has provoked. Mr Boylan, the Network’s chairman has especially welcomed the £400 million that has been earmarked for infrastructure within the package totalling a billion pounds.
Louth County Council sees Narrow Water Bridge as Priority Objective
March 20, 2017
At the March meeting of Louth County Council the Chief Executive Council Joan Martin reaffirmed that the Narrow Water Bridge Project continues to be a priority objective of the Louth County Development Plan. Ms Martin indicated that she will pursue any possible opportunity for the funding of the project.
Minister highlights continued committment to Narrow Water Bridge
January 25, 2017
Infrastructure Minister Chris hazzard and Shane Ross, Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport in the South have set out their continued commitment to the Narrow Water Bridge.
Department for Infrastructure
Oireachtas Report highlighting support for bridge welcomed
January 29, 2016
Mr Jim Boylan, Chairman of the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network, commenting on the recent publication of the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation of the Houses of the Oireachtas in Dublin said he was delighted that the Joint Committee has firmly endorsed the need for the bridge at Narrow Water.
NWBCN Press Release
Disappointment at EU Referendum result
NWBCN Press Release
June 26, 2016
“Leaving the EU will have serious economic consequences for Northern Ireland and the border region in particular will be negatively affected,” said Mr Jim Boylan. "Northern Ireland has benefitted enormously from UK membership of the EU and it is totally ironic that, despite a convincing vote to remain in the EU, the region will now be denied this essential economic support. ”
NWBCN welcomes Finance Minister
June 18, 2016
NWBCN Press Release
The Chairman of NWBCN, Mr Jim Boylan, in his welcoming remarks to Mr Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, Stormont’s new Finance Minister on his recent visit to Warrenpoint, said that interest and demand for the bridge was now beginning to surge in the community following recent election pledges. Mr Boylan also emphasised the cross-community, cross-border and non-party-political nature of the campaign to deliver the Narrow Water Bridge for all the people of the Carlingford Lough Area.
SF President joins party colleagues and NWBCN Committee at Narrow Water
June 16, 2016
Local TD Gerry Adams joins party colleagues and Narrow Water Bridge Community Network group with the new Stormont Finance Minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir on the site of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge.
New SDLP leader visits site
April 05, 2016
Colm Eastwood, newly elected leader of the SDLP, on a recent visit to Warrenpoint praised local stakeholder group and local SDLP representatives Margaret Ritchie MP and Sinead Bradley MLA assuring them of his continued support for the bridge.
The future is tourism NWBCN tells Warrenpoint Chamber of Commerce
March 09, 2016
NWBCN Press Release
The future is definitely tourism and the Narrow Water Bridge represents tremendous opportunities for communities around Carlingford Lough according to Mark Kelly, President of the Warrenpoint, Burren and Rostrevor Chamber of Commerce. Mr Kelly was reacting to a presentation given by Adrian O’Hare, Secretary of the Narrow Water Bridge Community Network, to a recent gathering of Chamber members at Warrenpoint Town Hall.
NWBCN gears up in response to Fresh Start Agreement
February 08, 2016
NWBCN Press Release
The NWBCN steps up its campaign in advance of the review of the project to be undertaken as part of the Fresh Start Agreement. The Network has been very encouraged by the increasing level of support among the people of the Carlingford Lough Area as evidenced by an exceptionally well-attended fundraising event held on Thursday last at the Whistledown Hotel in Warrenpoint.
Deputy First Minister's continued support acknowledged
February 29, 2016
NWBCN Press Release
The Network welcomes the declaration of support from the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, at the Newry Chamber of Commerce Business Lunch held on Friday last.