Latest news with #CoArmagh
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
‘It will change the way I act, because it's changed me personally': Blue Lights star Richard Dormer on experience with SOS NI
Blue Lights star Richard Dormer has recalled how working with healthcare charity SOS NI has altered his life and subsequently will change the way he acts. The Co Armagh actor, who has starred in Game of Thrones and gritty crime thriller Gangs of London, played the role of PC Gerard 'Gerry' Cliff in the Belfast-based BBC police drama.
BreakingNews.ie
17-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Monaghan cyclist dies in road crash in Co Armagh
A cyclist has died following a road crash in Co Armagh. Paddy McDonald (62) from the Castleblayney area in Co Monaghan died following the incident which happened at around 2.20pm on Friday in the Middletown area. Advertisement Inspector Cherith Adair, from the collision investigation unit, said he was declared dead at the scene. 'Police received a report at around 2.20pm of a serious road traffic collision involving a car and a cyclist on the Monaghan Road in the Middletown area,' she said. 'Officers attended, alongside colleagues from our partner emergency services. A male cyclist was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. 'He was 62-year-old Paddy McDonald from the Castleblayney area. Advertisement Ireland Man (60s) dies after road crash in Co Galway Read More 'The road was closed for a period of time as officers conducted inquiries, but has since reopened. 'Collision investigation unit detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the collision and would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured dash-cam or other footage which could assist with our inquiries. 'You can call 101 and quote reference CW 998 of 16/05/25, or make a report online at
The Independent
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Motorway closed as rescue operation begins to free 40 cows trapped in overturned lorry
Emergency services are working to free cattle trapped inside an overturned livestock lorry on the M1 motorway near Lurgan, Co Armagh. The incident, involving approximately 40 cows, occurred Friday morning and has led to the closure of the motorway in both directions. The M1 has been closed in both directions while the operation is underway, and will remain so for 'several hours.' David Doherty, area commander for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), said the lorry driver is "safe and well," confirming that the operation to free the remaining cattle is ongoing. Mr Doherty told the BBC Nolan Show: 'At the minute, we have 30 firefighters on scene, we have appliances form Dungannon, Portadown and Armagh. 'We have two specialist animal rescue teams…and we have our specialist rescue team. 'We have an overturned lorry. Thankfully, the driver is safe and well. 'There are 40 cattle trapped in the lorry, we are carrying out an extraction of those animals. 'We have a rescue plan in place we are off-loading those animals into another vehicle and we will transport them away safely. 'It is a challenging operation at the moment. Unfortunately, both ways of the motorway are currently closed, and may be for several hours.' He added: 'We have vets on scene at the minute to do an assessment on the animals. 'It is a multi-agency programme, and we have DAERA looking after the animal welfare. 'It will be a protracted operation. A large vehicle like this with two decks, which has obviously been affected by the impact of the crash. 'It is quite a comprehensive operation, that is why our specialist crew are here assisting our normal crews. 'It is quite a complex task for our firefighters.' Mr Doherty said rescue workers were moving as quickly as possible to free the cows. He said: 'We have to bring them out onto a safe environment, where we can put them onto another vehicle where they won't be exposed to any further harm.' The PSNI said the motorway closure is in place from junction 12 at Birches off the Dungannon Road junction and junction 13, known as Beatties junction, near the Black Island Road turn-off. A PSNI spokesperson said: 'A closure remains in place on the M1 following an overturned lorry near junction 13 between Tamnamore and The Birches. 'Motorists travelling city-bound on the M1 are advised to leave the motorway at junction 15, the Moy Road roundabout, and travel through Armagh before joining the M12 at Portadown. 'The opposite applies to those travelling countrywards.' A Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: 'The department is aware of the accident and whilst our vets are not required on the scene at the moment, we have offered support and resources to those on the ground. 'The incident remains ongoing.' In a separate incident, the M1 is also closed following a collision closer to Belfast. A PSNI statement said: 'Road users are advised that a collision on the M1 eastbound, between Finaghy and the Blacks Road, city-bound, is causing delays. 'Please seek an alternative route if possible.'
BreakingNews.ie
16-05-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Rescue operation to free 40 cows after lorry overturns on motorway
An operation is continuing to free cattle from a livestock lorry which overturned on the M1. The motorway remains closed in both directions near Lurgan, Co Armagh, following the incident which involved about 40 cows on Friday morning. Advertisement David Doherty, area commander for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), said the driver 'is safe and well'. He told the BBC Nolan Show: 'At the minute, we have 30 firefighters on scene, we have appliances form Dungannon, Portadown and Armagh. 'We have two specialist animal rescue teams…and we have our specialist rescue team. 'We have an overturned lorry. Thankfully, the driver is safe and well. Advertisement 'There are 40 cattle trapped in the lorry, we are carrying out an extraction of those animals. 'We have a rescue plan in place we are off-loading those animals into another vehicle and we will transport them away safely. 'It is a challenging operation at the moment. Unfortunately, both ways of the motorway are currently closed, and may be for several hours.' He added: 'We have vets on scene at the minute to do an assessment on the animals. Advertisement 'It is a multi-agency programme, and we have DAERA looking after the animal welfare. 'It will be a protracted operation. A large vehicle like this with two decks, which has obviously been affected by the impact of the crash. 'It is quite a comprehensive operation, that is why our specialist crew are here assisting our normal crews. 'It is quite a complex task for our firefighters.' Advertisement Mr Doherty said rescue workers were moving as quickly as possible to free the cows. He said: 'We have to bring them out onto a safe environment, where we can put them onto another vehicle where they won't be exposed to any further harm.' The PSNI said the motorway closure is in place from junction 12 at Birches off the Dungannon Road junction and junction 13, known as Beatties junction, near the Black Island Road turn-off. A PSNI spokesperson said: 'A closure remains in place on the M1 following an overturned lorry near junction 13 between Tamnamore and The Birches. Advertisement 'Motorists travelling city-bound on the M1 are advised to leave the motorway at junction 15, the Moy Road roundabout, and travel through Armagh before joining the M12 at Portadown. 'The opposite applies to those travelling countrywards.' A Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: 'The department is aware of the accident and whilst our vets are not required on the scene at the moment, we have offered support and resources to those on the ground. 'The incident remains ongoing.' Ireland New date set for trial of former DUP leader Jeffre... Read More In a separate incident, the M1 is also closed following a collision closer to Belfast. A PSNI statement said: 'Road users are advised that a collision on the M1 eastbound, between Finaghy and the Blacks Road, city-bound, is causing delays. 'Please seek an alternative route if possible.'
Irish Times
16-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Local history: Serendipitous signposts to the past, but not all townlands are born equal
As signposts to the past, townlands are a vital component of local knowledge, holding a fascination for historians, researchers and general readers. A significant book, the Townland Atlas of Ulster (Ulster Historical Foundation, £64.99) by Andrew Kane, features all nine counties, mapping more than 6,000 townlands along with the administrative units of church and state into which they have been organised. Laid out in an easy-to-read style, the hefty atlas contains colour maps of the baronies used as the primary unit for mapping, providing context to the townland boundaries and location. Listings cover the distinct types of parishes, as well as detailed notes on estates and manors. A 250-page index stretches from Abbernadoorny in Co Donegal to Yewer Glebe in Co Cavan. A serendipitous journey of discovery, the atlas opens up the world of 17th-century records, representing a snapshot in time of relevance to the last 400 years, and the chequered history of Ulster. Rich in variety and beauty, townland names are markers of tradition and belonging, often reflecting historical events or landscape features as well as people, animals and plants. They resonate with the popular imagination, and the atlas is a record of a shared heritage and culture. As the author points out, in terms of their size, not all townlands are born equal. For example, Tullyvallen, in Co Armagh, is 1,656 acres, while neighbouring Carrickacullion is a mere 90 acres. The book also comes with an all-important magnifier to help read the small print names. READ MORE On a more compact but no less erudite scale, West Mayo Placenames, Origin and Meaning (Covie Publications and Recordings, €20) by John O'Callaghan, examines townlands in the three baronies of Murrisk, Burrishoole and Erris. The meanings of placenames through the generations are weaved in, with topographical features of mountains, lakes and rivers, alongside flora and birdlife. [ Local history round-up: Greater and lesser-known lives, from Down to Tipp and beyond Opens in new window ] Drawing on the work of writers such Patrick Weston Joyce, Thomas Johnson Westropp and Tim Robinson, the author suggests specific routes – which he has walked – to explore the townlands at first hand. Many locations are strategically positioned beside picnic tables, cafes or pubs offering views of the Atlantic. Ordnance Survey name books, Griffith's Valuation maps and Dinneen's Irish-English Dictionary are all consulted in the quest for accuracy. Some placenames are contentious, or have unknown origins, and the author states that several Mayo townland names are as obscure as fairy tales. In fact, Cnoc Shiofra, from the Sheeffry Hills, means 'fairies' or 'place of fairies'. Whatever their pedigree, they remain celebrated for their musicality and include Derreenawinshin, Sruhaunaskeheen and Tangincartoor. But the award for the longest rests with the 22-lettered Cooneenskirragohiffern, 'the little creek of slip to hell', possibly the lengthiest in Ireland. In 2012, John O'Callaghan won a competition run by this newspaper for his description of Westport as the best place to live in Ireland, and this eminently dip-in-able book reflects his continued love of the area. Logainmneacha na Machairí: The Traditional Place Names of Maharees (€15), by Martin Lynch and Eoghan Ó Loingsigh, considers placenames in the northern part of the Dingle peninsula. The Maharees is referred to by geographers as a tombolo, a narrow piece of land such as a spit or bar attached to the mainland. The area, incorporating neighbouring islands, boasts more than 250 names covering fields, rocks, inlets, bóthairíns, landing places, humps and hollows. Along with important sites, they were recorded by John O'Donovan, who visited the Maharees in August 1841 as part of his work with the Ordnance Survey, while others have been handed down through the decades. Expressive names include Toppy Stone, The Thirty Ropes, Scraw Ditch, The Jib, Lonesome Hole and The Klondykes, which are fields with high yields similar to the goldfields of the Klondyke in Alaska. Forensic detail has been applied to another part of the county lying south of the River Maine. In Mapping South Kerry: 450 years of a changing landscape (Wordwell, €50), Arnold Horner illuminates a region stretching from the hinterlands of Killarney and Kenmare, the Reeks, the Iveragh peninsula and the part of the county which runs along the southern shore of the Kenmare River. It is an area with a distinctive personality that was once the heart of an Irish lordship. Divided into 14 chapters, the book presents maps from the Down Survey, the Ordnance Survey of Ireland, Taylor and Skinner's strip-sections of the roads of Ireland, and numerous others offering perspectives on a range of topics. Lovers of cartography will lose themselves in the 464 pages, finding exquisitely detailed maps that document the condition and ownership of hills, valleys and bays. The book is both a historical appraisal and a guide, combined with the breadth of the author's knowledge. He appears to have tracked down every conceivable map ever produced on Kerry from the 16th century, and his study encompasses sailing charts and hydrographic surveys up to 21st-century digital images on screens. The volume is also a tribute to the high quality of the publisher's design, with decorative endpapers delineating the geography of south Kerry's landscape features, which include the highest mountains in Ireland. Endless hours of poring over maps are in store for readers, along with numerous asides on observations of the countryside, working out how the past has shaped the present in physically diverse scenery that is central to tourism. In Town & Country: Perspectives from the Irish Historic Towns Atlas (Royal Irish Academy, €30), Sarah Gearty and Michael Potterton (eds) unravel interconnectedness and the complex entanglement of the urban streetscape and rural landscape, from monastic times to the 19th century. The book is carved up into four sections, with the main body made up of four chapters examining Ireland at various periods, including the Viking era, later Middle Ages, the early modern, and the 19th century. Sometimes treated as distinct entities, town and country have long been inextricably linked. Potterton underlines the significance of combining both archaeological and historical methods in the enduring study of their intimate relationships. Two sections also reflect the life and publications of John Andrews (1927-2019), a scholar and innovative historical cartographer who joined the geography department at Trinity College Dublin, in 1954, retiring as associate professor in 1990. His seminal essay on the topographical development of the town of Kildare, from the first publication of the Irish atlas series in 1986, alongside essays on his life's work, are reproduced. The final part lists a comprehensive bibliography of Andrews's extensive writings. His output stretched over 70 years – from his first published paper in Geography magazine about the development of the passenger ports of southeast England, to his last scholarly article on Irish plantation surveys in The History of Cartography, published in 2020 by Chicago University Press.
