Local News

Killyleagh could be in line for a new town centre hotel.

The current library site at the top of High Street has been identified as a possible base for the development which would create a number of new jobs.

The Killyleagh Development Association is behind the ambitious development proposal which, if successful, would result in the library being relocated to new premises beside the Bridge Community Centre.

Exploratory talks have already been held with a number of key players, with local development officials confident a new hotel in the heart of Killyleagh’s conservation area would provide the town with a major boost.

Several years ago, the Killyleagh Development Association viewed the former High School site at the Shore Road as an ideal location for a new hotel and while it hasn’t been abandoned its view, it believes a town centre location would be more beneficial for the people of Killyleagh and the local community.

The organisation’s treasurer, Mr. Alan Bucknall, said while a hotel at the former school site with its beautiful views over Strangford Lough would be appealing, it wouldn’t necessarily draw people into the centre of Killyleagh.

“Our aim is to create local jobs for local people and we believe the current library site offers massive development potential for a new hotel,” he said.

“Young people growing up in Killyleagh work in other areas or leave the town altogether, while there are those who can’t find work.We believe a new hotel would create much-needed employment opportunities and also entice new businesses into the town.”

Mr. Bucknall, who also revealed the development association is keen to see a small industrial park developed in the town, said its main aim is to help create new job opportunities for the local community and assist the ongoing regeneration of Killyleagh.

Thoughts

Councillor Eddie Rea said the development group has been tentatively sewing seeds about the possible new hotel and seeking the thoughts of a number of key players about its construction, to help increase employment opportunities.

“An extensive town survey aimed at finding out what people would like to see happening in Killyleagh is currently underway.Out aim would be to draw up an extensive 15-year development plan to really take Killyleagh forward,” he revealed.

“I believe that with new super councils coming into being as a result of the review of public administration, activity based community groups will in future be asked to take on a lot more responsibility for promoting and developing projects in their respective areas.”

Councillor Rea added: “The East Down Institute owns the current library site in Killyleagh and it would have to be fully involved in any future development proposal.

“I firmly believe a new hotel would be one of the best sources of employment ever to come to Killyleagh.It would also retain people in the town centre, providing a boost for existing and any new businesses which may come to the town.”

 

 

Killyleagh’s best are captured in print by author

Killyleagh author Clive Scoular hasn’t strayed far from his home town to find the inspiration for his latest book.

Clive, who has written biographies of two Northern Ireland Prime Ministers and the daughter of an Irish revolutionary, as well as the history of the most bombed hotel in Europe, has just penned a tribute to six Killyleagh heroes.

Six Famous Sons of Killyleagh will be launched in the magnificent surroundings of Killyleagh Castle next Monday night – and two of them hope to be there.

The super six are Sir Hans Sloane, founder of the British Museum; Sir Henry Blackwood, who was one of Nelson’s captains at the Battle of Trafalgar; Rev. Edward Hincks, a 19th clergyman who became an expert on ancient Middle Eastern writing; Rev. Henry Cooke, one of the seminal figures in Irish Presbyterianism; and two Killyleagh footballers – Terry Cochrane and David Healy.

It’s very much a personal choice by Clive, who says there could well be many more heroes from the Killyleagh area equally deserving of a written tribute.He hopes his book will stimulate debate and, perhaps, another tome.

But there could be no arguments about the entry of Sir Hans Sloane, perhaps Killyleagh’s most famous son.Born in 1660, he rose to the highest echelons of London society and his collections formed the basis of the British Museum.

Sloane was a physician to the high and mighty, including royalty, but he also had an insatiable desire to collect objects of natural history and other curiosities, and travelled extensively.While in Jamaica he discovered cocoa which he brought back to Britain as drinking chocolate.He also lived to the ripe old age of 93.

Sir Henry Blackwood (1770-1832) was a son of Killyleagh Castle, who first went to the sea at the tender age of ten.But by the time he was 25 he had been promoted to the rank of captain and given his first command.He was a brilliant seaman and quickly came to the notice of Horatio Nelson, the great British naval hero.

The two were together on October 21, 1805, when Nelson smashed the combined French and Spanish fleets.Blackwood was aboard HMS Victory when Nelson was fatally shot and witnessed his last testament.After Trafalgar, Blackwood’s career continued to prosper, eventually becoming a vice-admiral.He died aged 62 after a short illness, differently stated as typhus or scarlet fever.

The Rev. Edward Hincks (1792-1866) was a Church of Ireland clergyman and rector of Killyleagh for the last 41 years of his life.His clerical duties left him ample time to pursue his interest in ancient languages and writing.He made a number of discoveries relating to Egyptian hieroglyphics, but his major claim to fame was as being the leading expert in the deciphering of cuneiform, a form of writing used by Persians, Babylonians and Assyrians.

Although a scholar of international standing, Hincks went largely unknown and unnoticed in his own country.In fact the only public monument to his memory is a bust in front of the Museum of Natural History in Cairo, Egypt.He died at his Killyleagh rectory aged 74.

The Rev. Henry Cooke (1788-1868) was a former minister of First Killyleagh Presbyterian Church who found himself at the centre of the great theological debates which split Irish Presbyterianism in the 19th century.Cooke was a champion of Presbyterian orthodoxy and blessed with formidable powers of oratory which he used to great effect.

Up until a few years ago Terry Cochrane would have been Killyleagh’s most famous foot-balling son.After a short period with Burnley, he played for Middlesborough in the old English First Division and for Northern Ireland.

It was in his country’s green shirt when he enjoyed his finest moment, scoring for Northern Ireland in a 1-1 draw against England at Wembley in 1980.

But that achievement has been exceeded by the heroics of David Healy, who in just a few years has become the leading Northern Ireland goalscorer of all time.He scored a hat-trick last month against Spain, but much more importantly he was the scorer of ‘that goal’ against England at Windsor Park almost exactly a year earlier.

 

 

 

 

Road safety fears voiced

Concerned residents at a Killyleagh housing estate are demanding urgent work is undertaken to improve its traffic management.

The call by residents at the Grove Park estate comes after paramedics were recently forced to abandon an ambulance at the entrance to the estate and make their way on foot to treat a pensioner who had taken ill.

Last week, a number of residents met with a senior roads official, Strangford Assemblyman, Jim Shannon and local councillor, Billy Walker, to outline their concerns.

They fear that unless measures are implemented to tackle widespread congestion across the estate caused by parked cars, emergency vehicles will continue to have major problems accessing homes.

Last week’s meeting was also attended by the Housing Executive’s district manager, Mr. Owen Brady, who confirmed the organisation would be prepared to help meet the costs of carrying out improvement work at the estate.

Local resident, Mrs. Doreen McQuoid, who has lived at Grove Park for over 50 years, said it is important the current traffic problems are addressed.

She revealed the recent incident involving an ambulance has focused minds.

“The parking across the estate is a major problem and the recent incident involving an ambulance proves the congestion issue is also impacting on the health and safety of residents,” she declared.

“Cars are having to park on footpaths because there is simply nowhere else for them to go.  I hope the Roads Service will be able to do something to tackle this issue.”

Mrs. McQuoid said residents are grateful for the support of local politicians and the Housing Executive and hope the money required to enhance traffic management can be found.

She added: “We have also raised the issue with local police who are acutely aware of the access problems at the estate.”

Widen

Mr. Shannon said while the Roads Service is not responsible for providing additional parking in the Killyleagh estate, he hopes it will be able to widen the main access roads into it.

He also plans to ask senior officials from the various emergency services to press Roads Service officials to have a traffic management programme for Grove Park included in a future minor works programme.

Councillor Walker hopes a resolution to the current difficulties can be found and explained there is mounting concern that the estate can’t cope with the number of cars residents own.  He also fears if there was another emergency, ambulances and fire engines could struggle to reach homes.

“There is no doubt the fact an ambulance could not stop outside the door of a man who took ill recently has brought the congestion issue into sharp focus.  Grove Park is coping with a huge number of cars and the bottom line is that there is no room for them all.

“Land is available which could be used to provide more parking space which could help ease congestion.  I hope the Roads Service will not be found wanting on this issue.”

Councillor Walker said he hopes the provision of a new turning area and possibly tarmacing a grass area at the entrance to the estate could go some way to addressing the current problems.  He said residents believe it’s essential all the statutory agencies join forces in a bid to bring about a resolution to the current difficulties.