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Weather
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Maritime And Coastguard Agency
With the school holidays fast approaching, NI Coastguards are
encouraging children to stay safe whilst at the beach and along
the coast.
Last month, Northern Ireland Coastguards dealt with a number of
incidents that involved young people being overwhelmed by the
power of the sea or being cut off by the tide. Some young people
have attempted to swim to islands but have underestimated the
strength of tides and the distance that they need to swim.
The Coastguard would like to encourage young people to stay within their depth and to check tide times before they arrive at the beach.
Coastguard Sector Manager Gordon Munro says,
"We'd like everyone who visits our coast to have a great time. So before you go check out the weather and the tide times (these can often be found at the entrance to the beach). That way you can ensure that the tide doesn't take you by surprise and that you don’t get cut off.
"Inflatable boats and toys can be great fun, but we’d rather that you used them in swimming pools than at the beach. If you do use one at the beach, make sure that it is tethered to an adult and never use it if there is an offshore wind. Inflatables can so easily be blown off shore, then overturn.
Make sure that children are supervised properly by adults. We deal with numerous cases of lost children every year and it can be very distressing for children and adults alike.
Try to go to a lifeguarded beach if you can and stay within the flagged area.
If you notice that someone is in difficulty, either alert the lifeguard if one is available or call the Coastguard on 999.
Finally, have a great time and return home safely."
Holiday Rental
Fully furnished holiday home to let
Cove Bay, a beautiful development on the beach at Groomsport, N. Ireland. Just 5 minutes walk to Groomsport beach (recommended as a Best Beach 2009) and close to Groomsport village and restaurants. Three bedrooms (one ensuite), family bathrom, and extra downstairs toilet.
Two parking spaces at the front:
Contact Lisa: 07979250604
Click Here for more Homes To Let
Cove Bay Website Statistics
A record 150,000 hits or visits to the website were recorded in 2009 from 52 countries, including 11,000 first time visitors.
The top 3 countries for visitors to our website are USA, UK, and Europe.
Google Street Map of Groomsport
Tracing your Family Tree
With mass emigration from Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries, millions of people around the world can now claim at least partial Irish descent. Many want to trace their ancestors, and learn more about their family history. The contacts listing below could help you find out more, but please remember, genealogical research can be a challenge.
Armagh Ancestry
Association of Ulster Genealogists & Record Agents (AUGRA)
Banbridge Genealogy Services
Centre for Migration Studies
centremigstudies@ni-libraries.net
General Register Office
Irish World Family History Services
North of Ireland Family History Society
North of Ireland Tourist Board
www.discovernorthernireland.com
Presbyterian Historical Society
Public Record Office N.Ireland (PRONI)
Society of Genealogists N. Ireland
Ulster Historical Foundation
Groomsport Village History
By the 17th century the village was known as ‘Gilgroomsport’
and at this time, before Donaghadee became the main port for embarkation
for Scotland, Groomsport’s harbour was significant enough
to have its own Customs House.
Groomsport narrowly missed out on New World fame when the ship Eagle Wing set out from the port, with 140 men, women and children, to attempt an early trip to North America in 1636 only to be defeated by bad weather after eight weeks at sea.
On 13 Aug 1689, the English Fleet with Duke Schomberg and an army
of 10,000 came ashore in Groomsport. In 1659 there were 25 English/Scots
& 8 Catholic families here. The population in 1910 was 264
people.
By the mid 1800s Groomsport had a relatively large fishing fleet and housed a lifeboat station in its sheltered bay. The population of the village was employed mainly in agriculture, fishing and loom weaving. Whilst living conditions were hard, the coming of the railway from Holywood to Bangor in 1865 made the village much more accessible and the standard of living improved. Groomsport had its own halt on the Newtownards to Donaghadee line and the village became a popular destination for visitors.
The population was only 360 in the 1951 Census but this has increased substantially in the last few years with the construction of new housing developments. The harbour has found new popularity, with a sailing club and a collection of pleasure craft. Two former fishermen's cottages by the harbour have been restored as an attraction for visitors. Nowadays, caravanners and trippers are attracted by the beautifully landscaped picnic and play areas around the harbour, the sandy beaches, quality pubs, restaurants and the picture-postcard beauty of the place.
Living in Groomsport area?
Help us to keep you, and all your neighbours informed, entertained,
and up to date with local information. Our website www.covebay.net
can only work if YOU contribute, comment, criticise etc.
Do you have any photographs of the area before the houses were
built? Have you something you want to get off your chest?
Want to publicise a local event? If you are a Church, group, club,
etc, please tell us (by email) about your organisation, events,
people, and contact details.
We are waiting to hear from YOU.
You can contact us at: editor@covebay.net
National Trust
Ballymacormick / Orlock
These two rocky outcrops are located along the northern shores of Co Down, on either side of the little village of Groomsport. Covered in gorse, they are good for rough walking, and for spotting birds, flowers and foxes. Because they are in a relatively natural state and close to large centres of population, they are vulnerable areas in need of constant care.
Ballymacormick is just on the edge of Belfast Lough, so there are interesting views north and west. It is impossible to avoid seeing the dominant profile of Kilroot power station, but sharp eyes on a clear day can identify other landmarks on the Co Antrim escarpment of black basalt – Carrickfergus, the Knockagh monument, and the coast curving towards Whitehead. There is nearly always a ship using the busy channel to Belfast. Out to sea, the coast of Galloway can be seen surprisingly sharply on a clear day.
There is something for birdwatchers at all times of the year.
The combination of rough grass, gorse and rocks forms an inviting
breeding ground for oystercatchers, skylarks, meadow and rock
pipits, stonechats, reed buntings, willow warblers and linnets.
In winter, waders such as dunlin redshank, curlew, purple sandpiper
and ringed plover can be seen on the shore or among the rocks,
while out to sea there is a likelihood of seeing redbreasted merganser,
eider and shelduck, and almost a certainty of spotting cormorant
and shag. Summer brings the sandwich terns – to join the
nearby breeding arctic and common terns – with their eyecatching
flights, loops and dives in search of fish.
Groomsport 2001 Census
Groomsport is classified as a settlement within Belfast Metropolitan
Urban Area (BMUA) by the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
On Census day (29 April 2001) there were 873 people living in
Groomsport. Of these: 11.7% were aged under 16 years and 41.6%
were aged 60 and over 45.7% of the population were male and 54.3%
were female 2.6% of people aged 16-74 were unemployed. The village
today has a population of approximately 3,000, and continues to
grow.
SS NOMADIC returns to Birthplace
On 12th July 2006 she was loaded onto the 91.46 metre long AMT Mariner at Le Harve and 3 days later she was finally docked at the outfitting wharf of her original builders, Harland and Wolff shipyards, Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Nomadic was back home for the first time since
her farewell to the men who built her in 1910 - 1911, Back in
her birthplace after an absence of 95 years, 1 month and 19 days.
The Nomadic Preservation Society: To represent worldwide our loyal members and assist the Nomadic Charitable Trust in any way with the protection, restoration & preservation, and to actively promote the history and heritage of SS Nomadic, for future generations to study and enjoy.
At present the Nomadic is currently berthed at Barnett Dock within an operational area of the Port. While it will not be possible to open her to the public this year, it is believed that the move to Hamilton Graving Dock will significantly boost the programme of work on the ship and facilitate her re-opening at some stage next year.
Click to make CoveBay.net your Homepage
Welcome to CoveBay.net
The Community Website for Groomsport,
Northern Ireland.
Niblock Family Search
Ian and Sheila Bullock are loooking for Niblock family members in Groomsport.
Sheila Bullock (Niblock) was born in 1946 in Bangor, Co Down. Her father Robert Niblock, was born on The Hill in Groomsport in 1911.
He was the second youngest of 9 children, the others
being Jim [1895] Alex [1897] William [Billy] [1899] Maryanna [1900]
Marion [Mamie] [1904] John [Jack] [1906] Margaret [Maggie] [1909]
and Kay [Kitty] 1911]. Can you help?
The Chancellor Wants Your Ideas!
George Osborne has called on the public to send him their very
best ideas on how to get more for less from our public services.
http://spendingchallenge.hm-treasury.gov.uk
Anyone can go to the new Spending Challenge Public engagement
website and submit their ideas during July and August, and to
tell the Government what they think about the ideas that are put
forward.
The Government believes that the people who use our schools, hospitals, transport systems and other public services are the best people to comment on how to get more out of our services, while tackling the country’s record deficit.
This year Britain had the highest annual borrowing of any country in the G20. The Government believes urgent action is needed to tackle the deficit. Last month’s Budget set out a plan to balance the books by 2014-15, including substantial reductions in public spending.
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said:
‘We are facing the challenge of a lifetime. After years of
Labour waste, there is now simply not enough money to go round.
That’s why I’m asking everyone across the country to send in their ideas. We need to tackle this huge national debt and make our economy stronger, and it’s your ideas that will help us do that by improving public services and saving money. ‘
The link to the Spending Challenge website is : http://spendingchallenge.hm-treasury.gov.uk
It’s got no brain, no bones, no heart, no eyes and only a basic nervous system, but despite its lack of substance the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) wants to know if you spot one!
MCS is asking British seaside visitors to report sightings of the most bizarre but fascinating creatures found in UK waters – jellyfish.
Taking part in the jellyfish survey is easy. The full-colour MCS jellyfish photo-ID guide and recording forms can be downloaded from the MCS website, where jellyfish encounters can also be reported in detail online. Remember: Look - but don't touch!
www.mcsuk.org/
Lady Sylvia Hermon M.P.
Winning 63.3% of the North Down vote, Lady Sylvia Hermon has been re-elected Member of Parliament for North Down, this time as an Independant Candidate.
Lady Hermon has been the Member of Parliament for the constituency of North Down since 2001, first elected for the Ulster Unionist Party, but now an Independent. She is the widow of Sir Jack Hermon, former Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
Click Here to View Lady Hermon's Westminster Voting Record, Speech's, and Expenses at www.theyworkforyou.com
Dolphins in Groomsport
Bottle Nosed Dolphins were recently spotted, swimming at Orlock Point, near Groomsport.
Bottlenose dolphins live in groups called pods that typically number about 15 dolphins, but group size varies from solitary bottlenose dolphins up to groups of over 100 or even occasionally over 1000 animals. Their diet consists mainly of forage fish. Dolphin groups often work as a team to harvest schools of fish, but they also hunt individually. Dolphins search for prey primarily using echolocation, which is similar to sonar. They emit clicking sounds and listen for the return echo to determine the location and shape of nearby items, including potential prey. Bottlenose dolphins also use sound for communication. Sounds used for communication include squeaks and whistles emitted from the blowhole and sounds emitted through body language, such as leaping from the water and slapping their tails on the water.
Whale or Dolphin sightings should be reported to:
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
This Group is dedicated to the conservation and better understanding of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoise) in Irish waters.
The Group was founded in 1990 to establish an Irish stranding and sighting scheme and to campaign for the declaration of Irish territorial waters as a whale and dolphin sanctuary.
Exploris Seal Sanctuary
Grey Seal Picture by Edwina Beaumont
The N. Ireland Exploris hospital at Portaferry is a purpose built facility for the rescue, rehabilitation and release of orphaned, injured and sick Common and Grey seal pups.
At present they have nine Grey seals in the Rescue Centre, and later in the near Common Seals will appear. Another busy year for the Exploris staff.
The seal hospital comprises six quarantine pens, food preparation room, nursery pond and large pond with underwater viewing area.
The seal hospital is at its busiest during the two pupping seasons. Common seals are born during June and July and grey seals between September and December.
Exploris' aim is to release all rescued seal pups back into the
wild.
Exploris Portaferry
Holiday Homes Wanted To Let
Covebay.net has received inquiries from holidaymakers wanting to Rent a House in Groomsport.
Contact the Editor if your house is available
Groomsport Sunset
Click on Photo to Enlarge
. Picture by Michael McMullan
Groomsport Past and Present
Click for More Groomsport Photographs
Local Police Contacts
The Community Beat Officer for Groomsport is Constable Anne Hiles stationed at Bangor PSNI Tel Number 02891474983
"I may not always be on duty but someone will always pass a message on" - Ann Hiles
Cockle Row Cottages Groomsport
Click on photo for a 1950's view of Cockle Row
Cockle Row Cottages are open daily (June-August) 11.30am-5.30pm Information T: 0289127 0069 Email: tic@northdown.gov.uk During opening hours contact Cockle Row on 028 9145 888
Groomsport Harbour
Click on Photo for Groomsport Album
Titanic Journey
View BBC Newsline's exclusive footage of Titanic and learn about the science and history behind this extraordinary journey to the bottom of the Atlantic.
The Lagan
Boat Company
The World's ONLY provider of authentic Titanic Boat Tours around
the shipyards of Harland & Wolff in Belfast.
The SS Nomadic Survives
S.S. NOMADIC the last White Star Line vessel afloat
(courtesy Captain Wood collection)
The SS NOMADIC is one of the less well known survivors of the Titanic. The tender, SS NOMADIC, was built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast. Launched on April 25, 1911 and delivered to White Star Line on May 27. She attended the departure of the RMS OLYMPIC for Liverpool on May 31, 1911. That same day the RMS TITANIC was launched.
NOMADIC and her sister TRAFFIC were built to ferry passengers and freight to and from the White Star Liners calling at Cherbourg, France, which at that time, was too small a harbour to accommodate the massive ocean liners of the day. TRAFFIC would ferry the third class passengers and mail, while NOMADIC, with her plush interiors, brought first and second class to TITANIC and OLYMPIC. NOMADIC and TRAFFIC both arrived in Cherbourg on June 3, 1911 (the NOMADIC was commanded by Captain Boitard), the vessels served OLYMPIC on September 14, 1911 when she called at Cherbourg on her maiden voyage to New York.
On the April 10, 1912 NOMADIC sailed out from port with 142 first class and 30 second class passengers to meet TITANIC on her maiden voyage. Onboard her that evening were many of the most famous passengers. Among her compliment that night were Sir Cosmo and Lady Duff Gordon, Colonel John Jacob Astor and his wife Madeline, Benjamin Guggenheim and Molly Brown. This was the NOMADIC's last delivery to TITANIC before her maiden voyage sinking, five days later, which was to shock the world.
For Nomadic Picture Gallery - CLICK HERE
Talking Pages!
Browsealoud will read our website pages aloud for people who find it difficult to read online. Reading large amounts of text on screen can be difficult for those with literacy and visual impairments
Click on the Logo above for a video demonstration, and Free Download
Have Your Say........
Cruise Ships List 2010
Another busy cruise season for Belfast is planned for 2010 with almost 40 cruise ships due to pass Groomsport on their way into the Port of Belfast this year.
With the first ship due to dock in April, Belfast is preparing to welcome ashore over 62 000 passengers and crew.
Visiting cruise lines include major industry leaders such as Royal Caribbean, Holland America and Cunard and the impressive cruise ship "Crown Princess", carrying 4400 passengers and crew is returning five times throughout 2010.
This year also marks the eleventh year since the first liner docked in the city in 1999 and is testimony to the continuing efforts of the award-winning Cruise Belfast initiative, a partnership between the Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau (BVCB) and the Port of Belfast and supported by NITB.
Full List of Cruise Ships 2010
Did you know?
The captain’s table and chairs designed for the Titanic but delivered just too late to go aboard, now have a more desirable home in the beautiful building of the Belfast Harbour Office
Port of Belfast , Harbour Office , Corporation
Square, Belfast, Northern Ireland , BT1 3AL
Copeland Visitors
Adult male Redpoll
Get free Tickets for BBC TV and Radio shows
Be in the audience at BBC One Northern Ireland's live television broadcast. BBC NI ticket line on 0870 333 1918 , BBC NI textphone 08000 153350
Sonorities Festival of Contemporary Music
Iceland in Ireland
Join the Ulster Orchestra and conductor Daníel Bjarnason
as they record an Invitation Concert for BBC Radio 3.
Programme details:BBC Radio 3 Invitation Concert
Sonorities Festival of Contemporary Music in association
with Queen's University, Belfast;
Ulster Orchestra: Víkingur Ólafsson, piano, Daníel Bjarnason, conductor
Hafliði Hallgrímsson Narratives From The Deep North
Daníel Bjarnason Processions
Recording on Saturday 1 May at the Whitla Hall, Queens University,
Belfast.
Doors open at 7.15pm, Concert starts at 7.45pm
Age limit: 12 (under 16s must be accompanied)
To apply for tickets, visit the
BBC Tickets Website or call the BBC Ticket Line on 0370
901 1227*
Take a Tour of the BBC
A Tour of BBC, Broadcasting House, Ormeau
Avenue, Belfast, will provide you with a unique opportunity
to take a look "behind the scenes" at BBC Northern
Ireland. Possible tour areas will include*:
BBC Newsline Studio Floor, BBC NI Newsroom, Television Gallery
and more, CLICK
HERE for details
Travel from N. Ireland
Ulster travellers are spoilt for choice now that the expansion plans of Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Ryanair have come to fruition.
At Aldergrove Aer Lingus has chosen Belfast for its UK base. A code share with British Airways will also give Aer Lingus a direct flight to Heathrow, and eight other destinations.
George Best City airport now has Europe's largest no-frills airline Ryanair. Also at City Airport, Flybe has revealed plans for a number of new direct routes to Europe.
Airlines & Ferries
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