Council welcomes ‘Shared Island’ partners to Mid and East Antrim
Wednesday 31 May 2023
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has welcomed a delegation from Waterford City and County Council to the Borough as part of a shared island initiative.
Over three days, Council officers and local stakeholders from Waterford enjoyed visits to Glenarm, The Gobbins and Portglenone and met with local community groups, including Glenarm Village Committee and Portglenone Enterprise Group.
The visit formed part of a collaboration between the two Councils through the Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding Scheme. The scheme is intended to facilitate partnerships between local authorities in Northern Ireland and the Republic to progress feasibility and development work on new joint investment projects which deliver local and regional development goals.
This funding forms the first tranche of support, which will assist both Councils in reaching detailed designs for the four projects. It is anticipated that further capital funding through the scheme may become available to deliver the projects.
The Projects are spread across a range of sectors including biodiversity, tourism, decarbonisation, the circular economy, rural and urban regeneration, education, business innovation, and cultural and creative industries.
Four projects were identified, two in the County of Waterford and two within the Borough of Mid and East Antrim:
- Glenarm, Mid and East Antrim - Regeneration of the Eglinton Yard and Barn;
- Dunmore East, County Waterford – Regeneration of the Dunmore East Harbour;
- Portglenone, Mid and East Antrim – Regeneration of the Marina and riverside walk; and
- Portlaw, County Waterford – The Regeneration of the Premier Hall in Portlaw into a modern Community and Cultural Centre.
Eamon McMullan, Capital Regeneration Manager, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said: “Having enjoyed strong, collaborative working relationships for a number of years, this exchange visit enabled Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and our friends and colleagues in Waterford City and County Council to share learnings and best practice in regional development.
“Over the course of the three-day visit, we were exceptionally proud to showcase just some of our Borough to our guests and were warmly encouraged by their sincere enthusiasm for the area and the huge potential of our projects.”
Richie Walsh, Project Manager, Waterford City and County Council described the shared island initiative as being “of huge importance” for Mid and East Antrim and Waterford. “The benefits of this initiative are wide-ranging – not only in terms of increased North-South cooperation, great understanding and shared learnings, but the potential for further collaboration and funding opportunities in the future.”