Mayor expresses disappointment after weekend weather

Speaking during Monday’s Full Council meeting, Ald Bill Kennedy highlighted the success of the War Years Remembered event, services and parade despite the torrential rain. He also expressed concern over the landslide at Altarichard which damaged the Croaghan Trail.

He explained: “Like places elsewhere in Northern Ireland we suffered very heavy rain over the weekend, particularly on Saturday. This had an adverse impact on the weekend War Years Remembered event and Remembrance Service and Parade which was very disappointing for many groups who had planned to attend, and not least for those who had put so much hard work and effort into organizing and setting up the event. Despite the challenges presented it was a very successful weekend and I pay credit to all those groups and individuals involved.

“As a result of the heavy rain we also had a very serious landslide at Altarichard. I understand it was Half a mile long and 70ft wide. While our car park at Altarichard is intact the Croaghan Trail which includes two quality accredited three mile and five mile self-guided walks in our “Walk Ballymoney” guide, and including all the recent Bogs of Ballymoney work were lost.

“The waymarked trail consists of open hillside, marshy upland and forest tracks with fine views and is a great loss to our tourist walks product. I hope when things settle we will be able to great round the table and explore if a new trail can be formed.

“The Altarichard Road is closed and we have informed people through the tourism websites that the walking trails at Croaghan Way are closed as this area is dangerous.”