"What Magheramorne Means to Me"
8-9-06

Sharon Morrow, Chair of Friends of Larne Lough

I grew up in Whitehead and now live in Drains Bay, so the beauty of the Larne Lough and Islandmagee area and the vast presence of Magheramorne Quarry are part of my life.
As a child I can remember my father complaining about the plume from the Magheramorne chimney coating the countryside and his car with a fine layer of dust.

It wasn’t, however, until the STOP THE DUMP campaign that my education about the lough and the quarry really began. I learned that Larne Lough is a Special Protection Area, an Area of Special Scientific Interest and a Ramsar Site, internationally protected for its wildlife. Under these designations the Department of the Environment has legal responsibilities for the lough, but I felt that there should be a forum for local knowledge and expertise to complement the government body. During the campaign it became obvious that there were many parties with vested interests in the lough but with no forum where they could meet, consider both the value of the lough and possible threats to it. So, in the wake of the successful opposition to the landfill proposals, Friends of Larne Lough (FoLL) was formed.

FoLL is comprised of members of organisations ranging from shellfishers and yachtsmen to birdwatchers and industry, and has links with Larne Borough Council, W.W.F. and R.S.P.B. Over the past seven years we have pressed for the protective designations to be enforced in order to maintain the biodiversity of the lough.

Larne Lough

When we learnt of Lafarge’s positive plans for Magheramorne we could hardly believe the good news. That this company was prepared to reinvest in the local community to this extent is exceptional. So many people will now be able to appreciate the unique terrain of the quarry on the edge of the beautiful lough, from mountain bikers to steam engine enthusiasts, from craftsmen and artistic talent in the film industry to birdwatchers and walkers, with the crowning glory being the One Planet Living village.

The One Planet Living philosophy of living our lives by utilising the resources of just one planet (the one we are living on) instead of the resources from three planets, which our present lifestyle demands, is the way ahead to allow every one to live a comfortable life and preserve the planet. Living in a zero emission home, using renewable energy, reducing consumption, recycling, using public transport more, all these concepts rolled into one in Magheramorne will be a first for Ireland.

Lafarge will be leading the way in sustainable living and providing a showcase for not only East Antrim but the rest of the British Isles. I look forward with anticipation and excitement to these innovative plans becoming a reality at Magheramorne.