13 June 2005
£1.3M GUEST HOUSE AND RESTAURANT OPENS IN CASTLEDAWSON
A new £1.3m 16 bed guest house, licensed restaurant and conference facility has been officially opened in Castledawson’s Main Street.
Castledawson Development Association, a local cross-community organisation formed in 1997 has redeveloped and extended the prominent 18th century building, Castledawson House, which it hopes will being new life to the village.
The project has been designed to exploit the visitor potential of the village by catering for the needs of passing tourists and those attracted by the fishing attraction of Lough Beg and Lough Neagh and the stunning Sperrin Mountains.
The project was co-funded by the International Fund for Ireland and the Department for Social Development under the Community Regeneration Improvement Programme (CRISP) with assistance from the EU Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme (through Northern Ireland Rural Development Council), Magherafelt District Council and a loan from the Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT).
Speaking at the official opening International Fund for Ireland Board Member Helen Kirkpatrick said, "We are very pleased with the outcome of this project. Castledawson House is the most prominent building in the village and its restoration, together with the activities which will now take place within it, will put the heart back into the village and will enable Castledawson Enterprises to capitalise on the tourism potential of the area."
Robin Kennedy Chairman of Castledawson Development Association said, "Thanks to the efforts of the local community and some major funding the quiet but elegant village of Castledawson has been reawakened. The redevelopment of Castledawson House has transformed the village which is now buzzing with activity and renewed hope of better things to come. The project has provided a major facility which has enhanced the environment and provided the stimulus for further regeneration which together with the village’s rich hinterland has put Castledawson firmly back on the tourist map.
DSD Deputy Secretary John McGrath said, "This impressive project is a credit to Castledawson Development Association. It has worked extremely hard to restore this historic property, which I understand was once a former coach house, into an excellent amenity where travellers can stop off to have something to eat or rest. This will help to revitalise the village and so far has created seven new jobs. I am pleased to announce that additional work to enhance the main street will begin next year."
Also speaking at the event, Martin McDonald, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council said, "We are delighted to support this venture with a grant of £108,000 from the EU Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme. The Local Economy measure, under which this project is funded, aims to encourage and strengthen the "not-for-profit sector" of the rural community by assisting the development of projects or programmes which make a definite contribution to the long term sustainability of their local rural economy. This is just one of 68 Local Regeneration projects, which have been funded across Northern Ireland to the sum of £7m to date."
Erskine Holmes, Chair of Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT) said, "The Ulster Community Investment Trust are delighted to have provided the loan which completed the funding package for this project. In a climate of decreasing grant support we would urge other community organisations to follow Castledawson’s example in looking to the future sustainability of their project and exploring the other options for finance available."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The International Fund for Ireland is an international organisation established by the British and Irish Government in 1986 with the objectives of promoting economic and social advance and of encouraging contact, dialogue and reconciliation between unionists and nationalists throughout Ireland. Contributors to the Fund are the United States, the European Union, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
- Castledawson House opened for business on 9 June. The development cost just over £1.37 million. The funding was provided by the International Fund for Ireland and DSD (£745,600), the Ulster Community Investment Trust (£400,000), the Rural Development Council (£108,000), Magherafelt District Council (£60,000) and the local community.
- The Northern Ireland Rural Development Council (RDC) exists to address the needs of deprived rural areas in Northern Ireland. It was set up in 1991 as an independent organisation under the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Programme – working in partnership with a spectrum of rural interest groups. The RDC is managed by a 13-member council, which is made up of rural community representatives drawn from the private sector, local government, environmental interests, LEADER Groups and the agriculture industry. RDC attempts to reflect a broad geographical, gender and religious mix in the Council make up. The RDC believes that rural communities play a vital and significant role in the economic, social and environmental life of the whole region of Northern Ireland. Their contribution should be regarded as a valuable regional resource and is one that the RDC actively supports, encourages and develops.
- The RDC is responsible for the Local Regeneration Programme of the EU Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme.
- The EU Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme aims to contribute to the sustainable improvement of economic, environmental and social conditions in disadvantaged rural communities. The Rural Economy measure, under which this project is funded, aims to encourage and strengthen the "non-profit sector" of the rural economy by assisting the development of projects or programmes that make a definite contribution to the long term sustainability of their local rural economy.
- For further information contact Rodney Baird, Public Relations Officer, IFI on 028 9076 8832, Mobile: 07876548863 or Dara Cosgrove, DSD 028 9082 9078.
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