29/09/2022
Poots Announces New Lough Neagh Rescue Centre
A major refurbishment project has been completed at Lough Neagh Rescue Centre at Kinnego Marina.
The £640,000 project, which received a grant of £480,000 from the NI Rural Development Programme's Co-Operation Scheme, also included refurbishment work to the 'Gary Breen' boat as a rescue command vessel to bring it up to "boat code" standard, together with the provision of four high spec glamping pods at the marina, along with new fencing, road resurfacing and a utility block refit inside and out. It was delivered in co-operation with 3 Local Action Groups:- SOAR (ABC) in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area, MURDP (Mid Ulster Rural Development Programme) and GROW (South Antrim).
Announcing the new Rescue Centre, Rural Affairs Minister, Edwin Poots, said: "Its gives me great pleasure to return to Kinnego to see the completed Lough Neagh Rescue Centre – the £680k project received some £480k rural development funding and is a perfect example of the difference this funding can make to everyday lives. The new facility allows Lough Neagh Rescue to provide a more enhanced service to the community and enable vital training to take place in a modern training environment. This is now a state-of-the-art rescue centre and it will make the Lough a much safer place in which to enjoy the activities on the open water and the wildlife around it."
Minister Poots also met with family members of Gary Breen, after whom the boat is named, and Jim McCann, a volunteer crew member. Gary sadly lost his life on the lough 30 years ago and his family undertook a massive fundraising campaign to fund the original rescue vessel. The volunteers at the centre named their tearoom after Jim, who passed away 10 years ago, and both men were remembered at the official launch that took place on Saturday, 24 September.
Minister Poots added: "I was honoured to meet with members of both Gary and Jim's families. The naming of the boat and the tearoom after these men will ensure their memories live on around this part of the lough for many, many years to come."
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Paul Greenfield said: "This superb, new centre will have a hugely positive impact in the local area, helping the Lough Neagh Rescue team continue to do their search and rescue operations, benefiting not only the local area but indeed the entire community surrounding the lough. In addition to a modern, fit for purpose rescue centre, this co-operation project also supported the upgrade of the 'Gary Breen' rescue boat, helping bring it up to the required boat code standards and as a result enhancing the lifesaving service of this invaluable, voluntary search and rescue organisation."
Chair of LAG, Cllr Kyle Savage added: "I am delighted that the Lough Neagh Rescue building has been officially opened. This Lough Neagh co-operation project is the culmination of many years of hard work to get these elements of the project completed. The Lough Neagh Rescue building is a real pride within the local community and can now be used to house the rescue boat along with providing rooms for training and a safe, warm place for relatives to wait should their family be involved in a search and rescue operation. The upgrade of the Gary Breen rescue vessel will be a tremendous asset to Lough Neagh Rescue and enable them to enhance their search and rescue efforts across the entire Lough Neagh area."
The £640,000 project, which received a grant of £480,000 from the NI Rural Development Programme's Co-Operation Scheme, also included refurbishment work to the 'Gary Breen' boat as a rescue command vessel to bring it up to "boat code" standard, together with the provision of four high spec glamping pods at the marina, along with new fencing, road resurfacing and a utility block refit inside and out. It was delivered in co-operation with 3 Local Action Groups:- SOAR (ABC) in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area, MURDP (Mid Ulster Rural Development Programme) and GROW (South Antrim).
Announcing the new Rescue Centre, Rural Affairs Minister, Edwin Poots, said: "Its gives me great pleasure to return to Kinnego to see the completed Lough Neagh Rescue Centre – the £680k project received some £480k rural development funding and is a perfect example of the difference this funding can make to everyday lives. The new facility allows Lough Neagh Rescue to provide a more enhanced service to the community and enable vital training to take place in a modern training environment. This is now a state-of-the-art rescue centre and it will make the Lough a much safer place in which to enjoy the activities on the open water and the wildlife around it."
Minister Poots also met with family members of Gary Breen, after whom the boat is named, and Jim McCann, a volunteer crew member. Gary sadly lost his life on the lough 30 years ago and his family undertook a massive fundraising campaign to fund the original rescue vessel. The volunteers at the centre named their tearoom after Jim, who passed away 10 years ago, and both men were remembered at the official launch that took place on Saturday, 24 September.
Minister Poots added: "I was honoured to meet with members of both Gary and Jim's families. The naming of the boat and the tearoom after these men will ensure their memories live on around this part of the lough for many, many years to come."
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Paul Greenfield said: "This superb, new centre will have a hugely positive impact in the local area, helping the Lough Neagh Rescue team continue to do their search and rescue operations, benefiting not only the local area but indeed the entire community surrounding the lough. In addition to a modern, fit for purpose rescue centre, this co-operation project also supported the upgrade of the 'Gary Breen' rescue boat, helping bring it up to the required boat code standards and as a result enhancing the lifesaving service of this invaluable, voluntary search and rescue organisation."
Chair of LAG, Cllr Kyle Savage added: "I am delighted that the Lough Neagh Rescue building has been officially opened. This Lough Neagh co-operation project is the culmination of many years of hard work to get these elements of the project completed. The Lough Neagh Rescue building is a real pride within the local community and can now be used to house the rescue boat along with providing rooms for training and a safe, warm place for relatives to wait should their family be involved in a search and rescue operation. The upgrade of the Gary Breen rescue vessel will be a tremendous asset to Lough Neagh Rescue and enable them to enhance their search and rescue efforts across the entire Lough Neagh area."
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 March 2024
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
14 March 2024
'Plan Ahead' For St Patrick's Day Events This Weekend
Belfast City Council has outlined traffic and travel arrangements ahead of this Sunday's St Patrick's Day event in Belfast. A number of traffic diversions will be in place in and around Belfast city centre. Visitors and participants are advised to plan their journey in advance and leave extra time to travel to and from the city centre.
'Plan Ahead' For St Patrick's Day Events This Weekend
Belfast City Council has outlined traffic and travel arrangements ahead of this Sunday's St Patrick's Day event in Belfast. A number of traffic diversions will be in place in and around Belfast city centre. Visitors and participants are advised to plan their journey in advance and leave extra time to travel to and from the city centre.
01 August 2014
Men Rescued From Sea In Co Cork
Two men are being treated in Cork University Hospital after being rescued from the sea. It is understood that the men's boat capsized in Dunmanus Bay in Co Cork at about 19:00 on Thursday. A member of the public raised the alarm.
Men Rescued From Sea In Co Cork
Two men are being treated in Cork University Hospital after being rescued from the sea. It is understood that the men's boat capsized in Dunmanus Bay in Co Cork at about 19:00 on Thursday. A member of the public raised the alarm.
04 March 2008
Coast Guard Helicopter Deployed In Lough Swilly Rescue
A rescue mission was mounted just after 3.30am this morning in Lough Swilly at Salanda point after a fishing vessel with seven crew on board went onto rocks. The vessel named the Horizon hit a rock ledge in force 4 gales.
Coast Guard Helicopter Deployed In Lough Swilly Rescue
A rescue mission was mounted just after 3.30am this morning in Lough Swilly at Salanda point after a fishing vessel with seven crew on board went onto rocks. The vessel named the Horizon hit a rock ledge in force 4 gales.
14 January 2010
Irish Among Sailors Rescued From Sinking Yacht
Seven Irish sailors, including two from the north have been rescued from a sinking racing yacht after it struck rocks near Indonesia, the UK coastguard revealed today.
Irish Among Sailors Rescued From Sinking Yacht
Seven Irish sailors, including two from the north have been rescued from a sinking racing yacht after it struck rocks near Indonesia, the UK coastguard revealed today.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with further outbreaks of rain this morning, heavy at times, especially over north Antrim. Becoming drier and brighter this afternoon with sunny spells and a few showers. Winds becoming light. Maximum temperature 9 °C.Tonight:Further showers this evening, some heavy, especially in the east, dying out early tonight. Then mainly dry with clear periods developing, leading to a touch of frost and icy patches. Minimum temperature -1 °C.