The Railway Men! Where there's a will there's a way..
The Railway Men! Where there's a will there's a way..
We spoke to PARS members who gave their take on the latest news surrounding the Portadown to Armagh rail line
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“Train passengers could be in Portadown in 11 minutes and Belfast in just under 40 minutes. The fastest bus from Armagh to Portadown at present is 28 minutes.”
A pipe dream for some, a reality for others. For the railway men – Portadown Armagh Railway Society (PARS) – if there’s a will there’s a way.
Our coverage of the £800,000 to Translink for a feasibility study caused quite a stir. On one hand, it was one of the clearest indications yet that there is life in this project, however, on the flip side of that same coin, it came in the same week the Department for Infrastructure stated they didn’t have any money to upgrade the A1. It’s not great, especially given the most recent crash on the A1 on Wednesday evening saw two people taken to hospital.
Money aside (it’s not like money matters…), this is a project that has long been the dream, and yes, it is a step closer to reality. For that reason, we spoke to PARS members, Derek Smyth and William Hutchinson, who gave us their take. Check out the full interview here – and when you’re in the article, be sure to scroll down to the video at the end, which gives an aerial run-through of the entire line and how it looks today. Aside from the really relaxing music, it’s fascinating to see how much remains untouched…
Headlines
😔 Co Armagh mother at wits’ end finding carers for disabled son as Trust service stops
😢 Lurgan mourns passing of business great Jarlath McConville
🍽️ Ali spreads festive cheer with free Christmas Day dinners for those in need
⛪ Funeral details announced for Tyrone GAA player who died in Australia
🇮🇱 🇵🇸 Paraphernalia left at Armagh Palace following Palestine protest being treated as hate crime
⚖️ Banbridge man jailed for ‘nasty form of harassment’ against ex-partner
👮 Odhrán Kelly murder: Lurgan woman (30) charged with perverting course of justice
🚔 Police officers escape injury after vehicle rammed in Forkhill
⚖️ Nathan Gibson: Court hears details of brutal Craigavon murder which claimed life of 25-year-old
💔 Nathan Gibson’s heartbroken fiancée and sister react as John Paul Whitla handed 15 years for murder
🪓 Hatchet-wielding burglars leave Newry house empty-handed following scuffle with homeowner
🏊♂️ Newry Leisure Centre users ‘unhappy with facilities’
⚖️ Council admits safety offences arising from death of electrician in Slieve Gullion Forest Park
👨🎨 Artist launches Armagh-themed Christmas card initiative to raise funds for food bank
👶 Council set to introduce reusable cloth nappy scheme
🍽️ Dungannon’s famous Gables Restaurant aims to create new en suite guest rooms
Armagh Jobs
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Notice Board
🛍️Poyntzpass Christmas Market | Saturday December 16 | Royal British Legion Hall Poyntzpass | 10am - 2pm
🎵 Carols on the Steps | First Presbyterian Church | Sunday December 17 | 3.30pm | Christmas Carols with Armagh Old Boys Band and festive refreshments afterwards.
🎅 Santa Sunday | Pearse Óg’s Social Club | Sunday December 17 | 2-5pm | The big man himself will be there to meet all our young members with a surprise for each. This year’s event will support local charity Onward For Owen.
🎅 Santa Sunday to remember crash victim Dylan Vallely on what would have been 17th birthday
🕯️Carols by Candlelight | Newry Cathedral Parish | Thursday December 21 | 7.30pm | Join the harmonious voices of the choirs of Newry parish and your fellow parishioners and let the uplifting atmosphere fill you with hope.
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