Schools Join in Strategic Alliance Anti-litter Initiative

Pupils from Jonesborough Primary School have carried out a clean-up of their village as part of an anti-litter cross border initiative promoted by the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Louth County Council Strategic Alliance.

Representing Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Council Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason, Slieve Gullion District Electoral Area Councillor, Councillor Mickey Larkin welcomed Leas Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Councillor James Byrne to Jonesborough on 23 February, where they joined pupils for the clean-up. Councillors Larkin and Byrne then travelled on to Omeath, County Louth where they met up with pupils from Scoil Naomh Lorcan who were also carrying out a clean-up along the shore.

This cross border initiative is one of a number of collaborative activities being promoted by the Strategic Alliance. The Alliance’s mission is to create connected, supported and sustainable communities with ‘Climate Change and the Environment’ one of its priority goals.

Speaking on behalf of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Council Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason, Councillor Larkin said, “I am delighted to welcome Councillor Byrne to Jonesborough and to have joined him in Omeath for this cross-border initiative. It is great to see this co-operation take place between communities along the border, and we hope to build on this in the future. Jonesborough village is located within the Ring of Gullion, at the foothills of Slieve Gullion, an area of outstanding beauty.  It is vitally important that we protect it, especially against the unsightly blight of litter and dumping. This initiative is welcome to protect and connect with our environment and to encourage communities north and south to participate in a positive way.”

Leas Cathaoirleach Councillor Byrne added, “It was a pleasure to join pupils from Jonesborough and Omeath today for this event and heartening to see the efforts they are making to keep their area clean. Like Jonesborough, Omeath is located in a striking, picturesque spot at the foot of the Cooley Mountains looking across the beautiful Carlingford Lough to the sweeping mountains of Mourne. Litter and illegal dumping can all too often spoil the splendour of this area. Initiatives like this are important in bringing communities on either side of the border, closer together, while working towards a common goal of tackling litter and raising awareness.”

The Strategic Alliance would like to acknowledge all at Jonesborough Primary School and Scoil Naomh Lorcan, Omeath who enthusiastically joined in the initiative, including School Principals, Mr Donal Keenan and Mr Ronan Greene.