‘Name council after mountain’

The SDLP representative was speaking following a recommendation that the naming of the supercouncil be put out to public consultation.

“I am glad that we are asking the public for their suggestions regarding the council name,” Mr O’Loan said.

“I want to throw one possibility into the ring to see how people react. That is, to consider the name Slemish Borough Council.

“I don’t think that there is one short name which captures totally the geographical or historical area comprising Carrickfergus, Larne and Ballymena. “However considering how well known Slemish is, and the strong tradition that St Patrick tended sheep there 1600 years ago, I think that Slemish might be the closest that we could come to a short and acceptable answer.

He added: “It may be that it would not get enough agreement from the Larne and Carrickfergus areas and I would not want to force it on them. But I think that at least it is a serious contender and ticks a lot of the boxes.

“It may be at the end of the day we will be left with the cumbersome Mid and East Antrim Council but I will be interested in how people will react to Slemish.”