inform-residents-newsletter-spring-summer-2016 (2)

11 Best Kept Awards The work of the Council’s horticultural teamwas recognised and rewarded during 2015 when Omagh was the winner of the Large Town category of the Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition. Irvinestown and Ballinamallard were placed joint third in the Large Village category of the same competition. TheUlster in BloomCompetition, which is now in its 37th year, encourages cities, towns and villages right across Northern Ireland to look their best, boosting civic pride through beautiful planting and floral displays. Omaghwas also awarded the best Kept Large Town in theOpen +Direct NI Amenity Council’s Best Kept competition during 2015, and has been nominated to contend in the prestigious ‘Best Kept in Ireland’ competition. This competition attracts entries fromsome of themost aesthetically pleasing andwell maintained towns and villages across the island of Ireland. During 2016 the Council will enter the towns and villages of the district in these, and other, competitions which recognise thework undertaken to create andmaintain a clean, tidy environment which is enhanced and welcomingwith colourful planting schemes throughout the summer. OASIS Plaza andCastle Basin Two major projects to revitalise parts of Enniskillen and Omagh were officially launched by the Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, last year. The Castle Basin Promenade in Enniskillen and theOASIS Plaza inOmagh provide state of the art fully accessible outdoor spaces for events, leisure and recreation. The £1.7millionCastle Basin project, funded by theNorthern Ireland Executive through theDepartment for Social Development and Fermanagh andOmaghDistrict Council, has transformed access to Lough Erne along part of the shoreline fromEnniskillen Castle to Erneside footbridgewith a 1.3km fully accessiblewalk and cycle path. Other improvements include a new, paved events space, improved lighting and seating and new jetty and canoe steps. Meanwhile theOASIS Plaza has created a newmodern recreational space for locals and visitors alikewith an outdoor gym, games equipment, a bandstand and a pedestrian and cycle bridge linking the OASIS Plaza to the town centre. The £4.3 millionOASIS project was funded under the EUPEACE III Programme, managed by the Special EUProgrammes Body. A collection of peace pledges designed by school pupils from theOmagh area have also been installed at theOASIS Plaza. Each plaque bears a pledge towork towards peace and respect to help bring forward a newpath to peace and prosperity. The Plaza recently received theWilliamKeown Trust Prestige Access Award for disabled accessibility to the recreational space. Anumber of events have taken place at each location over the last number of months with Castle Basin hosting Festival Lough Erne andWaterways Ireland Loughfest while theOASIS Plazawas the social hub for the 2015All-IrelandCycling Championships and the recent St Patrick’s Day celebrations inOmagh. Both venues were also the focus for last year’s Hallowe’en celebrations in the district. Anumber of events are set to take place at both locations later this year. Keep an eye on local press and the Council website for event details in the forthcomingmonths. Castle Basin and theOASIS Plaza can be booked for events and activities. For further information on booking either space please contact the Council’sOperations and Estates Service by telephoning 0300 303 1777 . 12 30Years of TheArdhowen The late playwright Brian Friel officially opened The Ardhowen Theatre in Enniskillen 30 years ago, on Friday 16 May 1986. Since then, The Ardhowen has played host to approximately 4,600 performances – that’s almost one performance every other day – and continues to provide a home for amateur, professional and community arts events and performances. As well as providing the opportunity for people to experience the arts through its wide and varied year round programme, The Ardhowen has turned out a number of well- known actors throughout the years including AdrianDunbar, Annie Farr, FrankMcCusker andCiaranMcMenamin. The Ardhowen has alsowelcomed a number of high profile acts and performers during its history including illusionist Uri Geller and comedians Patrick Kielty and BAFTA award winner JackDee. Situated in a beautiful lakeside setting adjacent to the historic Castle Coole, The Ardhowen is just one of the Council’s facilities which provide a platform for arts and culturewithin the district. The Strule Arts Centre in Omagh offers an eclecticmix of theatre, music, dance and visual arts in the town centre while TheHigher Bridges Gallery in the ClintonCentre, Enniskillen, offers a varied programme of exhibitions throughout the year. Some of the upcoming programme highlights include: The Ardhowen, Enniskillen Friday 8 April, 8pm. Victoria Geelan In Concert. Thursday 21 April, 8pm. Simon & Garfunkel: Through The Years. Strule Arts Centre, Omagh Friday 15 April, 8pm. The Celtic Tenors with Special Guests Omagh Community Youth Choir. Saturday 23 April, 11am and 3pm. Wiggle Giggle. The Higher Bridges Gallery, Enniskillen Friday 1 - Saturday 30 April. Andy Roche : Coordinates. Friday 6- Saturday 28 May. SouthWest College : Annual Student Fine Art exhibition. For further information onwhat’s on at any of the Council venues visit our website www.fermanaghomagh.com or telephone 0300 303 1777 .