CASTLEBELLINGHAM

What the judges said:

‘It was a pleasure to visit Castlebellingham – Kilsaran and to see all of the historical and highly original buildings and structures of interest. The castle building and its eye-catching natural stone entrance are wonderful structures and they looked very well on adjudication day.

‘We are pleased to hear that your committee are working closely with Bellingham Castle and this partnership approach makes sense as both parties will benefit from continued improvements to your twin villages. The Widows Houses are considered to be excellent examples of 18th Century architecture and we are delighted to hear that they have been purchased and are awaiting restoration.

‘We applaud your excellent refurbishment work on the World War I monument beside Foley’s tearooms and we are pleased to report that this looked exceptionally well during adjudication. Well done to everyone involved in the upgrading of the area to the front of O’Connell’s GFC. The new insect hotel with seating and planters at the Stabannon junction are lovely additions to this part of your twin villages.’

WE WEREMOST INTERESTED TO READ THATYOUR COMMITTEE,THE WEST FERRARD GROUP AND THE PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE CREATEDA NATURE WALK IN THE GROUNDS OF TOWNLEY HALL AND THATYOU ARE APPLYING FOR FUNDING FOR A NEW WALKWAY AT KING WILLIAM’S GLEN