Pushing out the boat for Christmas

Moyle Council has agreed to set aside 10,000 for new lights in Ballycastle and other parts of the district.

Originally the intention was to spend 7,500 on Ballycastle alone but Council Vice-Chairperson, Cllr Robert McIlroy (DUP), got it pushed up to 10,000 so areas like Bushmills can benefit too.

Regarding the lights for Ballycastle Seafront, SDLP councillor Madeline Black gave it a big welcome.

She said: "That has been talked about from ever I came to Ballycastle about 20 years ago."

She said Ballycastle seafront will now be lit up like Portstewart Seafront and she said she would like to see other areas get Christmas Lights.

Cllr Black continued: "The seafront is the central part of Ballycastle. It is a very dark place in the winter. Let's get it lit up."

She also would like to see Christmas lights at Castle Street in Ballycastle.

Sinn Fein councillor Oliver McMullan asked if anyone had noticed how dark it is at the beach in Cushendall.

Cllr McIlroy said he did not disagree with money being spent on lights in Ballycastle seafront but said lights should also be provided to outlying districts.

Council Chairperson, Cllr Cara McShane (Sinn Fein), said she believed Coleraine and Ballymoney Councils didn't give lights for smaller areas like Dunloy, Loughgiel or Macosquin.

She said Ballycastle Chamber of Commerce spent money on lights for the centre of Ballycastle and she said she had no problems regarding money being spent on lights in Bushmills and Cushendall as well "but we can't light up every hamlet".

Cushendun Independent councillor Randal McDonnell made his now regular murmurings concerning Christmas lights which prompted the Council Chairperson to say: "You are a bad humbug".