Members
Chairman, Joe McFadden, Independent.
Joe McFadden is a painter and printmaker who lives with his wife Mary, also an artist, in Cushendun. A graduate of Belfast College of Art and Queens University he taught Art & Design and History of Art for many years.
Since retiring to Cushendun Joe has been involved in a number of local community activities. His cover designs for the Cushendun Development Association Newsletter have always presented a humorous and sometimes irreverent image of life in the area.
He has been an active member of Moyle Arts Forum and is Joint-chairman of M.A.P.P. (Moyle Arts in Public Places).
He is a past member and chairman of the Northern Health & Social Services Council.
Joe has been a local tourism representative on the Antrim Coast & Glens AONB since 2004.
He and his wife, Mary, are founder members and heavily involved in the activities of Glens & Dalriada U3A (University of the third age).
Apart from his commitment to these public bodies Joes interests include gardening, the natural & built environment, local history, music, travel and sport; he is a member of Ballycastle Golf Club.
Vice Chairman, Cllr. Roy Craig, Larne Borough Council
Roy was elected to Larne Borough Council in 1997. Served as Mayor 2004/5. He is a qualified teacher of Mathematics but also has many years’ experience as a publican. Now semi-retired his interests include bowls, both indoor and outdoor, cars, reading historical and crime novels, and horse-racing. One of his favourite sites in the locality is Cranny Falls, where he enjoys the quiet walk and splendid
views across Carnlough Bay. The leisurely walk, taking little more than an hour, follows the old mineral path from the picturesque harbour in Carnlough up to Cranny Waterfall in Gortin Quarry. Roy is looking forward to the restoration of the Gobbins path and the busloads of tourists that will arrive and stay in the area to experience nearly three miles of heart-stopping paths, bridges and tunnels along the magnificent Gobbins cliffs, just a few feet above the waves of the Irish Sea, an amazing testament to the Victorian entrepreneurial spirit. Roy’s vision for the future of the area is that the Trust and other stakeholders involved in protected area management will be congratulated on the way they have managed the Causeway Coast & Glens area and that the evidence of their work and dedication is apparent in the landscape.
Cllr Colm Thompson, Moyle District Council
Cllr. Hubert Nicholl, Ballymena Borough Council
Alderman Hubert Nicholl has been a member of Ballymena Borough Council for over 25 years. He has also served three years as Mayor of the Borough.
Hubert’s environmental experience and environmental management has been gained from being a farmer for over 50 years, managing a dairy farm.
He also serves as Vice-Chairman of Northern Ireland Drainage Council which includes great involvement in environmental issues.
Hubert is Chair of ARC 21 Joint Committee for Waste Management involving eleven councils which are obviously involved in environmental matters.
Other appointments Alderman Hubert Nicholl serves are: Vice Chair of Northern Ireland Library Board and Northern Ireland Chair of the Association for Public Service Excellence as well as serving on The National Council of A.P.S.E.
Max Bryant, National Trust
Gregory Woulahan, RSPB
Ralph Semple, Independent
Thomas Ralph Semple BSc (Hons) M Phil
Current Employment: Director and Owner of Topaz Geo-Consultants Ltd.
I work as a consultant Geologist in the Oil and Gas industry. Currently working for BP in Oman. I do not get a lot of time in N. Ireland, but when I do I invariably spend it in and around the Antrim Coast. I was born and raised in Larne.
It is a little known fact that Larne boasts some of the best Geological sites in the world. You can view 250 Million Years of Geology in a walk along Larne Promenade. It also boasts some of the finest examples of certain Jurassic fossils.
I have written a publication about this for the Tourist Board, and usually lead a few guided tours during the summer. I would like to see this aspect of the Antrim Coast, much more widely publicised than it currently is.
Lindsay Dunlop, Ballymena Borough Council
As is evident from the photograph I really enjoy getting wet and exhausted in the great outdoors.
I have been employed as the Countryside & Access Officer for Ballymena Borough Council since 2000 and during that time have been involved in developing two Way- marked Ways in the Antrim Coast and Glens AONB – The Dungonnell Way and the Antrim Hills Way. It would be great if there were more routes available in the hills; not only for walkers but also for horse riders.
Outside of work a lot of my time is spent not only on keeping an eye on our two daughters but also paying close attention to perfecting my golf swing.
Another fervent Tottenham Hotspur supporter!!!
Ainsley McWilliams, Larne Borough Council
Hi my name is Ann McNickle and I am a Director with the Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust. I am the Project Manager with Causeway Rural & Urban Network (CRUN) which provides training, facilitation, lobbying, and support and mentoring services to approximately 150 member groups. We produce monthly news sheets, give funding advice and information which allows the groups to make a difference in their communities. I have been with CRUN for over 11 years and feel that it is a pleasure to work in such a beautiful location.
My main hobby is playing golf and I am a member of Castlerock Golf Club which has spectacular views over the North Coast and on the 17th tee box you can see Scotland, Donegal, Portstewart and the Mussenden Temple.
I enjoy walking the Downhill beach especially early morning when there are very few people about and if the beach is empty then that is a bonus. In the summer, when lucky, I am able to watch the porpoises swimming off the pier at Castlerock.
If there was an unlimited amount of money I would love to see the railway network restored and opened up to more small towns and villages so that people could have better access to the beautiful north coast and less traffic on the roads.
Kevin McGarry, Moyle District Council
Clare Dore, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Sandi Howie, NIEA
Kathleen McBride, Northern Ireland Tourist Board
Since joining the NITB in 2004, I have been Causeway Coast & Glens Manager. My role is to co-ordinate the Causeway Coast & Glens Tourism Masterplan and encourage product development throughout the region. Enhancing the Causeway Coastal Route as a tourism destination is still a priority. As NITB funds the CCGHT, I attend the board meetings.
Although I live in Toomebridge now, I come from Nappan, a small townland north of Carnlough, which overlooks the sea and coastline but is sheltered by a steep wooded mountain behind. My summer holidays were spent helping on the farm and playing on the beach. My favourite place is Ringfad which is a small, quiet beach with silky grey sand. I still enjoy days there with my family.
My vision for the region is to be a vibrant, rural area where visitors can enjoy the landscape and traditions.
Stuart Freeman, Planning Service Coleraine
Jenny Lundy, Planning Service Ballymena
Mervyn Orr, Roads Service
Don Wilmont, Regional Tourism Partnership
Don Wilmont is Manager of Causeway Coast and Glens Regional Tourism Partnership. He has over 30 years’ experience of tourism marketing and development in both the public and private sectors.
Currently, tourism in the region generates approximately £540m and support approximately 8800 full time job equivalents – Don’s vision for the area in the next 10 years is to at least double these benefits for the region.
His favourite site, not just in Causeway Coast and Glens, but in the whole of Ireland, is the panoramic view of Whitepark Bay.
Outside of work, Don has had a lifetime interest in all forms of motorsport, particularly rallying. Having competed at international level as a co-driver, he has fulfilled the role of Championship coordinator for the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship for the past 12 years.
He is also a fervent Tottenham Hotspur supporter!!!
