New jobs to be created with £2.49m funding for Lough Neagh

The five-year Lough Neagh Landscape Partnership will deliver 27 integrated projects around the lough shore area.

The project will provide training for 240 people, full-time jobs for five people and 200 volunteering places.

Activities will include restoring and protecting the Lough’s wetlands, peatlands and boglands; providing skills and training opportunities for the local community and using the Lough’s rich heritage to regenerate areas and make them better places to live.

Head of HLF Northern Ireland, Paul Mullan, said: “We are delighted that, thanks to National Lottery players, this ambitious project will deliver real benefits for the both the heritage of the Lough and its current communities, through job creation and training opportunities, while safeguarding its future for the next generation.”

Conor Corr, the Chairperson of Lough Neagh Partnership, said :“This award from the Heritage Lottery Fund is tremendous news for Lough Neagh.

“A significant amount of consultation and preparation has already taken place and we are now in a position to start the project which will be delivered over the next five years.

“We would like to pay tribute to our partners, in particular the Councils, RSPB and community groups, who have agreed to provide match funding so that the overall value of the project exceeds £3.5 million.”