Special garden 'could protect rare Rathlin plants'

That was the call from Sinn Fein councillor Cathal Newcombe who said the garden could be walled off and it would be an attraction to visitors and local people.

He said local school children could have an input to the garden and it would be a good learning resource for the youngsters.

He was speaking at the main monthly meeting of Moyle Council during a visit by Helen Noble, Director of the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, as he appealed for help from the Trust.

Cllr Newcombe said Gage’s old garden could be re-established and he said the teacher on Rathlin said children could possibly spend a number of hours a week in the garden.

The councillor said: “The rare plants on Rathlin could be looked after in the garden and stop them being depleted.”

Cllr Newcombe said he would also like to see work carried out on stone walls on Rathlin.

He said some of the walls have a “look of poverty” about them and he said he raised the matter in the past with a Stormont minister but nothing has yet happened.

Appealing for the Causeway Heritage Trust to help with the matter the councillor added: “We need someone to take it forward.”