NI Water to Commence Major Restoration Project for the Mourne Wall

NI Water is about to commence work to restore parts of the historic Mourne Wall, which will benefit the scenic Mournes area.

The first phase of work, which is expected to get underway towards the end of May, will see the restoration of a 2.5km section of the Mourne Wall between Slieve Loughshannagh and Slieve Meelmore which is surrounded by NI Water land.

Pictured (L-R) are Dermott McCurdy NI Water, Michael Sleator Historic Environment Division, Department for Communities, Niall McGovern GEDA Construction, Michael Donnelly NI Water, Alice Adams RPS, Iain Greenway Historic Environment Division Department for Communities, Helen Anderson, Director, Natural Environment NIEA, DAERA, Brian Rooney (local stonemason) and Desmond Patterson of the Mourne Heritage Trust.

Local experienced stonemasons will carry out the repairs under the management of NI Water contractor, GEDA Construction with advice and guidance from Mourne Heritage Trust (MHT). This project is part of NI Water’s commitment to the ‘Protocol for the Care of the Government Historic Estates.

Dermott McCurdy NI Water’s Project Sponsor said: “During this first phase of the restoration of the wall, NI Water will be working closely with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, our contractor GEDA Construction, local stone contractors and the Mourne Heritage Trust to assess the sympathetic construction methods employed, with a view to developing a wider 4-year programme of work.”

Pictured (L-R) Desmond Patterson Chairman of Mourne Heritage Trust, Helen Anderson, Director, Natural Environment NIEA, DAERA, Niall McGovern GEDA Construction, , Iain Greenway Historic Environment Division, Department for Communities and Dermott McCurdy NI Water Project Sponsor.

“To repair certain sections of the Mourne Wall, it will be necessary to transport stone and other material to site where it is not readily available. This will be done through carefully planned helicopter drops to agreed locations within the Mournes area.

“This is a significant investment by NI Water and we look forward to working with and gaining the support of all our stakeholders, as we strive to protect the integrity of one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic listed monuments.”