Latest news with #northcoast
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Weever fish warning issued for Northern Ireland beaches
They're tiny, almost invisible, extremely painful for anyone unfortunate to walk barefoot onto one of their venomous spines - and they're popping up on beaches in Northern presence of weever fish on the north coast has led two councils - Mid and East Antrim and Causeway Coast and Glens - to warn beachgoers to watch their fish spend most of their lives buried in the sand and have venomous spines on their dorsal fins, which can deliver a very sore are found all over the UK and are some of the only venomous fish found in local waters - but a local lifeguard said the warmer weather is driving an increase in run-ins with weever fish. "With more people coming to the beach we've had more weever fish stings and a lot of people may not know about them so they might find it hard to identify what they've actually been stung by," said Maria Dillon, an RNLI lifeguard who patrols along Portrush West Strand Beach. She described the initial feeling of a sting as "like stepping on a sharp shell". "This will be followed by a continuous throbbing, maybe swelling, or redness in the foot, this will go on until the sting is submerged in hot water."She said if anyone is stung at a lifeguarded beach, they should alert them as "the lifeguard can assist by providing water as hot as they can handle for 20 to 30 minutes"."Steps that beachgoers can take to protect themselves may include wetsuit boots or swimming shoes when wading in the shallow waters," she added. The fish are about 15cm long with a deep yellowish body so they are hard to spot buried in the are most commonly noticed during June to and East Antrim Borough Council said that while the "number of incidents reported directly to council is low, there may be other incidents that have not been reported". "However, due to the pain that weever fish can inflict (and in some case require medical attention if there is an adverse reaction), we felt it prudent to warn members of the public to be vigilant and take precautions." What's the view on weever fish from Portrush? Some of the beachgoers who spoke to BBC News NI on Portrush's West Strand have had some unfortunate first-hand experience with the stinging Curry was on the receiving end last year while taking a surfing lesson."It really, really hurt, it felt like a line of pain through the bottom of my foot," she said."At first I didn't really notice it because I was in the water, so I thought I was just imagining it but then it got worse and when we started to come out of the water I was like: 'There's something wrong, I've stepped on something.'"Eve said her initial thought was it was a jellyfish sting but when she told her surfing instructor they told her that she had stepped on a weever was then taken to the lifeguard hut and submerged her foot in hot water for 20 said it was "quite sore" but because she noticed it so quickly and did not have to walk far for assistance, she "probably didn't get the full experience".While she didn't know what a weever fish was before her painful introduction, she has since looked them up and thinks they're "quite cute in a way". A near miss Norma Rae, who regularly brings her children surfing, said she had heard of an increase in stinging incidents in recent said she had a near miss in 2024 when she felt something wiggle beneath her foot. "Literally for a second I set my foot down and something wriggled and I lifted my foot because there's nothing else really under the sand that's going to be doing that."Ms Rae said it is important to look out for the weever fish as they are "quite hidden" but that it is not going to stop her enjoying the beach. For others, weever fish are less well known - Jeanette Wilson said she'd never heard of one while David Ewart said he had a "vague recollection" of them but did not know said he imagined the sting would be "something similar to trying to remove a tick or small barb with tweezers".Ms Wilson said the warnings made sure she would "absolutely" keep her guard up and keep in mind what to do about a sting. 'Particularly bad this year' Andrzej Krystowski, a surfing instructor, is well used to weever fish sightings."We see them all over the coast but this year has been particularly bad," he told BBC News NI."I don't know what the reason behind it is but we're seeing a lot more of the black flies so maybe that could be it."They're everywhere all over the north coast, and people often ask me if they walk on a certain area of the beach can they avoid them - but they're everywhere and you can't see them."
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Rubbish: The group clearing tonnes of litter from NI's waterways
Fridge freezers, sofas, plastic bags and bottles - these are just some of the items volunteers have found in waterways around the beauty spots of the north year, not-for-profit firm Sea2it, removed "a staggering amount" of plastic - more than seven tonnes in its director Richard Connor is a finalist in the BBC's Make A Difference Awards 2025, a nomination that he said has left him "shocked but humbled". The group was set up following the pandemic as he and others were frustrated with the area being "teaming" with plastics that needed to be removed. "Physically, if nobody else is going to do it, we are going to have to do it," he group, a community interest company which is designed to benefit the community rather than generate a profit, requires "incredibly hands-on" work from volunteers who remove litter along the shores of the north coast, Richard said. "It's wellington boots, black bags, bin liners, litter pickers in your hand. right into getting into a wetsuit, getting on to a boat and swimming into a bay."While the area in which they work is "the beautiful Causeway coast", the landscape is "blighted by rubbish and plastic bags" and the problem is getting "worse and worse and worse". However, the easiest part of the job, he said, is getting people to help out. "They will turn up on a cold, miserable January morning to the river bank when everybody else is in their bed."Over the years they've had around 550 different volunteers who have helped out ,ranging in age from nine to 89."We come from a very broad church." Richard was selected as one of four finalists in the Green award, along with:Donna Rainey, a retired paediatric nurse and environmental volunteer focused on pollinator conservation - she created a five-acre wildflower meadow, developed a hospital wildflower site and leads the Don't Mow, Let it Grow campaignAimee Mallon, junior head girl at St Cecilia's College in Londonderry - she restored a school greenhouse, and developed projects involving gardening, seed swapping and environmental education to create a nurturing, inclusive spaceDiana McChesney, a community climate advocate based in County Fermanagh - she coordinates local litter-picking, rescues wildlife, redistributes surplus food and runs the Fermanagh Freecycle group to reduce waste What is Make a Difference? Make a Difference is a BBC initiative seeking to recognise and celebrate members of the public who make life better for others where they February, BBC teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been asking audiences to nominate the unsung heroes in their local communities who do amazing have been selected by a panel of judges in each of the eight categories ahead of the Northern Ireland final in categories are:The Volunteer AwardsThe Young Hero AwardThe Great Neighbour AwardThe Active AwardThe Animal AwardThe Green AwardThe Fundraiser AwardThe Community Group AwardOverall winners from each category will be announced live on BBC Radio Ulster's Vinny and Cate show on Friday 26 September.
The Independent
04-08-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
It is ‘imperative' to follow advice as Storm Floris hits Scotland
A Scottish Government minister says it is 'imperative' that people follow advice as Storm Floris begins to hit the country. Justice Secretary Angela Constance said Storm Floris is 'well and truly with us' and warned Scots to expect disruption if travelling. Much of Scotland will be battered by heavy rain and winds of up to 85mph, with an amber weather warning covering the central belt to the north coast from 10am to 10pm. The Met Office said injuries and danger to life are expected from large waves hitting seafronts, coastal roads and properties. Some trains and ferry services have already been cancelled with more likely to be impacted, including air and road transport. Ms Constance told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland news programme: 'Storm Floris is well and truly with us today and it's imperative that people follow advice because there will be significant disruption on our travel network.' Ms Constance said the Government's resilience room had been activated to give authorities a clear picture of the situation around the country. The minister added: 'If you have an elderly relative or neighbour who may be a wee bit vulnerable, please be a good neighbour, be friendly, just check they're alright. She said anyone who has to travel is likely to face disruption and should plan ahead, adding: 'Consider this a winter journey as opposed to a summer journey. 'Please make sure you've got warm clothes, food, water, plenty of fuel and that your mobile phone is charged up. ' A yellow warning for other parts of Scotland is in place from 6am until midnight. Western coastal areas are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, although strong winds and rain will lead to disruption at Edinburgh's festivals. On Sunday night, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said it had cancelled its Monday show due to the storm. A ceilidh event on Princes Street Gardens has also been cancelled. Network Rail said several lines will be closed from 12pm on Monday, with all other routes experiencing a reduced timetable and longer journey times. Edinburgh to Fife/ Perth /Dundee; Perth to Dundee /Aberdeen/Inverness and the West Highland Line are among the routes that will close at noon. Ferry operator CalMac has also cancelled a number of sailings on Monday. LNER has warned passengers not to travel north of Newcastle while Avanti West Coast has advised passengers not to travel north of Preston, as it warned it will be 'heavily impacted' by the weather. Forecasters have warned people who are outdoors to avoid walking or seeking shelter near buildings or trees, and said that loose items including bins and garden furniture could blow away unless secured. Meanwhile, ScotRail has urged people to secure all outdoor equipment such as trampolines. Posting on social media, the rail operator said: 'We're asking anyone with garden equipment, such as tents, trampolines or furniture, to secure items so that they don't blow onto the tracks and interfere with lineside equipment.' Those driving in poor weather have been urged to avoid the worst-hit areas and slow down when on the roads while allowing time for delays. The Met Office said there was the potential for power cuts in some areas as well as disruption to mobile phone coverage. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August. January's Storm Eowyn was the most recent.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Open return to Royal Portrush may come 'sooner than we think' believes Tourism NI chief
As we finally catch our breath after a sensational week of golf at the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, the question on everyone's lips can we do it all again? The return of one of the world of sport's most iconic championships to Northern Ireland in 2019 was huge given the 68-year wait to have the great and the good of golf battling it out for the Claret Jug back on these shores once more. But you could sense the anticipation for more after Shane Lowry's triumph around the Dunluce Links, and just six years later we have been treated to an absolute sporting spectacular on the north coast. READ MORE: Rory McIlroy's behaviour behind the scenes brought up as Open star speaks out READ MORE: Rory McIlroy was told 'wife knows' as Open rival explained why they hated each other From Rory-mania, to the impeccable surroundings of Royal Portrush, to Scottie Scheffler's relentless pursuit of his fourth major, you got a sense that everything had been cranked up a few more notches and boy was it great to see. Yes we didn't get the win many of us were hoping for, but those lucky to be there in the record crowds were treated to some sensational golf in glorious sunshine. Those stunning pictures of thousands lining this legendary links course framed by the beautiful beaches and Atlantic Ocean were beamed to millions around the world. It's bound to have a positive effect on tourism not just on the north coast but Northern Ireland as whole. That was not lost on Tourism NI CEO John McGrillen who was asked the all-important question by the BBC about when The Open will return once more. "The feedback from the R&A is that this has been an absolutely outstanding success and I think there's absolutely no doubt that this competition will be back in Portrush at some future point, maybe sooner than we might think," he said. "They didn't say that, that's my assumption, but certainly from their perspective and our perspective at Tourism NI, and from all of the partners we work with, things really could not have gone better." Rory McIlroy is certainly hoping it's a case of sooner rather than later as he wants to be part of The Open at Royal Portrush at least a couple more times in his career. "Hopefully I'll have one or two Opens left here, if the R&A decide to keep coming back, probably one while I'm still competitive and another one while I'm more grey than I already am," he said. "It's just been incredible to come back here and to play and at least feel like I had a chance today going out there. Just an awesome week. "It's only been six years since 2019. I'm not sure Portrush is going to have The Open every six years, that would be nice, but I would obviously love it to keep coming back."
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Fun on the fairways as tens of thousands descend on Portrush for The Open
It was fun on the fairways in Portrush as tens of thousands flocked to the north coast to see the world's top golfers tee off on the first day of The Open. The crowds included actor James Nesbitt, US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly. While anticipation was high to see returning hero Rory McIlroy in action, during the wait there was an opportunity to recreate his famous television clip chipping golf balls into a washing machine. McIlroy was a primary school child in 1999 when he appeared on UTV's Kelly show as a promising youngster showing off his skills with the trick. Ms Little-Pengelly, herself a keen golfer, was among those who tried the 'chipping it like Rory' challenge. Despite the watching crowd, the deputy First Minister showed no sign of pressure as she took a moment to carefully line up the perfect shot, which resulted in the ball deftly landing in the drum. Breaking into a huge smile she punched the air amid cheers. The crowds, ten deep in places, endured heavy rain showers in the early afternoon before the sun finally broke through not long before McIlroy himself appeared at the first fairway. You could have heard a pin drop as people stretched every sinew and used all possible vantage points to get a glimpse of the Holywood man taking his first shot of the tournament. Almost 280,000 fans snapped up tickets for the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, which will be the second best attended in history. Among them on Thursday were Lilian Kennedy and Norman Kennedy from Coleraine, and her niece Tracey Bradley from Dungannon, with Karl Holmes, originally from south Wales. They said they were delighted to see some of the biggest names in golf, including McIlroy, as well as Shane Lowry, who won The Open last time it was held in Portrush in 2019. It was Mrs Kennedy's birthday, and she was enjoying the experience thanks to Ms Bradley, who gave her the ticket for The Open as a birthday gift. 'I couldn't have asked for anything better than that, a great birthday present,' she said, giving her niece a hug. Mr Holmes said they had been there all week and it had been 'fantastic'. 'It's great, the facilities are fantastic, we haven't seen much today because of the weather, but I saw Rory McIlroy right in front of me yesterday which was fantastic,' he said. 'Good old brolly,' he added, in reference to the rain. Mr Kennedy laughed and said it had been hard to see much with all the umbrellas earlier, before the sun re-emerged, but praised the good atmosphere. Gene Fleming, Bart Lewis, Brian Halloran and William Bell, friends who had been fraternity brothers at Eastern Kentucky University in the US, said they were enjoying the true European golf experience with the rain. Mr Lewis said it was his second Open, after attending the 150th at St Andrews in Scotland. 'It was awesome so we came back, and so far so good,' he said. 'Actually when we were in Scotland the weather wasn't bad at all, so I wanted to experience a British Open that had the actual weather, that's part of it. 'The weather does seem to have a bigger play in the tournament result (in the UK compared to tournaments in the US), but I do enjoy the hospitality in Europe all over, I think it's a great place, we've had a fantastic time.' Mr Fleming said they had loved the experience of playing golf in the rain on the island of Ireland themselves, before the Open tournament. 'What's so amazing is that if we had this weather in the United States, the complaining and carrying on at the golf course would be unbearable, but there is no sympathy here, the weather is the weather, we're learning about it, we played two rounds in it, enjoyed it thoroughly,' he said. 'We got great weather one day and we got the whole Irish experience the other day. 'We loved it, I'll never forget it, I'm so glad I came here. My mother's maiden name of O'Brien, so I've got some Irish in me.'
