River Bann Developments at Culbann

 

The River Bann in the past was a very important waterway used for transporting people and goods over great distances. The Vikings sailed hundreds of  their ocean going longships from the north coast to Lough Neagh in the 9^th century.

St. Patrick would have sailed on it in the 5^th century when he visited St Teda at his monastery on Lough Beg ‘s Church Island.

 

In  this century it was used to transport the white clay from the Toomebridge / New Ferry region for incorporation into shells used at the Somme and other theatres during World War I. The last barge was allowed to sink at Portglenone but a £14,000 rescue plan a few years ago saw it salvaged and sent to Dublin for refurbishing. It is presently in a repair dock near Athlone waiting its turn to be transformed into a sailing barge to ply the Shannon-Erne waterway. Eventually with the re-opening of the Ulster Canal from the Erne to Lough Neagh it will once again I am sure sail on the waters of the Bann!

 

However unless you have a boat, the Bann is very inaccessible. It was the efforts of some very determined fishermen in the early nineties to fish it that led to the opening of the Coarse Fishing Facility at Glenone. It was Magherafelt Council which saw the benefits and with the support of several local landowners who were willing to share this tremendous resource, over a mile of beautiful river bank was transformed into the best coarse fishing beat in Europe. Eighty seven fishing points were built and vehicle access was negotiated with the Forestry Division through Glenone Forest.

 

Since then people from all over the world have fished here for roach, bream and pike. It is always busy this time of year at the week-ends with competitions drawing competitors both able and disabled from all over this island and the continent. Occasionally amongst the regulars, usually heavily disguised for peace is Chris Tarrent of ‘Millionaire’ fame, himself a keen coarse and game angler.

 

But the attraction does not just end with fishermen. Hundreds of people from all over the Magherafelt District and beyond use the beautiful surroundings daily for walking and jogging. There is a mixture of deciduous and evergreen forest allied with a safe level gravel pathway  alongside a tranquil river. Swans, ducks, cootes and cormorants are regularly seen. There are abundant iridescent Kingfishers flitting along the bank sides and diving for minnows. Otters are also seen at a certain spot known to the locals. The public can walk from Portglenone or park cars in the car park just off the Ballymacombs Road.

 

The natural extension of these 87 fishing points and walkway is now being seriously considered by Magherafelt Council. If the project were to proceed the Bann bank would be opened up for another mile towards New Ferry. It would create up to 200 fishing points which would make this officially a World Class Coarse Fishing Beat and would be the scene of regular World events. Spin-offs for the catering and hospitality industry would be very exiting and available for local exploitation. A considerable added bonus would be the renewal of a walkway from Culbann to Portglenone.

 

The local landowners have all given a cautious thumbs-up to the scheme. Currently Mr Sean Brown from the Councils Community Relations Dept. is looking at possible car parking arrangements which are necessary for the bigger competitions.

The story does not end here though. This project will incur many thousands of rate-payers money and cannot therefore be started without a viable business plan. Whatever the benefits, the accounts need to square up financially. Magherafelt Council is one of the best running councils in the country and they did not get there by throwing money around them. Their rules will apply here also. But sooner or later the merits of this project will shine through! And another chapter will be written on the Bann shore!