Heritage to play major part in future of Ardglass

Heritage to play major part in future of Ardglass

21 October 2015

ARDGLASS is one of three Co Down fishing ports to receive a boost from a new maritime heritage tourism initiative which was formally launched last week.

A number of local people have been trained as new heritage guides, while new signage, seating, information panels, free wifi and media apps are all now available in the port.

Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie all feature in the new initiative as part of a collaborative project spearheaded by the Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership (SLLP), working with Newry, Mourne and Down and Ards and North Down councils and the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority.

The new tourism initiative — launched last week in Ardglass — is funded by the European Union and includes a new fishing heritage booklet which describes the industry, the three local ports and the communities in each. 

The tourism initiative launch coincided with the publication of the Co. Down Seafood Report, commissioned by the SLLP, which is designed to develop a local and visitor market for locally landed fish as part of a wider focus on locally produced food.

Isabel Hood, chairwoman of the Partnership’s Advisory Committee, said an accredited training course and resource was delivered in each of the three ports through Countryside Management Services and Archaeology NI.

“Over 30 people now have skills and recognised World Host and City and Guilds qualifications to be ambassadors for their area,” she explained. “Some have already put their newly acquired skills to good use, generating revenue and promoting their area as guided walk tour guides,” she said.

Dr John Speers, Director of Fisheries and Environment at the Department of Agriculture, who was speaking on behalf of Minister Michelle O’Neill, passed on her appreciation and recognition of all the efforts of those involved.

“I am delighted to see the positive impact the project has had, with the heritage trails showcasing the history of the three ports and telling the stories of the local communities, bringing the visitor experience to life,” he said.

“A total of 34 heritage guides have received accredited training and deserve much credit as they now have the skills and recognised qualifications to be ambassadors for their area.

Kevin Quigley, chief executive of the Fishery Harbour Authority, said £50,000 was invested providing free wifi for the fishermen while they are in their harbours. He said on-line communication is key to presenting interesting stories, activities and local business information to visitors, through mobile devices.

“Our prime customers are the fishermen and when they said that as a continually modernising fleet they needed wifi into the harbours we worked to help deliver this. The Harbour Authority has worked closely with both local councils to provide the best wifi reach and to maintain and support this service into the future,” he said.

Mr Quigley added: “We are pleased to be part of an organisation which not only delivers to the fishermen but the wider communities that we serve and we look forward to welcoming visitors to all our harbours which are all hidden jewels and have much to offer anyone who wants to visit. This has been a brilliant project for us to be involved in.”

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairwoman, Naomi Bailie, said she was delighted the heritage tourism initiative had been so fruitful for the ports.

“The aim of this project is to attract and retain visitors who will bring revenue into the three ports and their wider communities. The council was pleased to work in particular with fishing dependent communities on the erection of information panels and the production of heritage apps for the three ports,” she said.

Councillor Bailie said tourism is very important to the new council and has been identified as a priority as it aims to have the area recognised as a premier tourist destination. She had no doubt the new heritage tourism initiative would contribute to this goal.