Irish wording to be added to Newry Museum wall in keeping with Council's bilingual approach

Irish language signage has been approved for Newry and Mourne Museum following the withdrawal of a listed building consent application. Currently signage at the facility is only in English.

The site includes the rediscovered 16th century Bagenal’s Castle, which is a scheduled monument and the co-joined 19th century Arthur McCann Ltd bakery.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s planning committee approved a new application this week to change painted lettering on the McCann’s building to include the Irish name of the museum, ‘Iarsmalann an Iúir agus Mhúrn’.

A planning report reads: “It is noted the application was submitted alongside a listed building consent application.

“However, the building is not a listed building (and is record only) Historic Environment Division (HED) has confirmed that a listed building consent application is not required and thus the planning department has withdrawn this application. ”

The planning report added: ”The (new) proposal incorporates signage, which is to be painted onto a rendered wall.

“HED was consulted and considered that this method be appropriate. It is considered that the proposal would not have any further negative impact on the surrounds nor settings of any listed buildings.”

The chamber further heard that there was no statutory requirement to notify or advertise such an application for advertising consent.

The change of signage was approved on an addendum list, with planning committee members in agreement without any requests made for representations on the matter.