Repairs have started and are
expected to be completed in the near future.
On Sunday 10th and Monday 11th January RBLNA Members carried out an
extensive survey of the 52 Navigational Markers on Lough Neagh
following reports of extensive damage to the markers by the recent
ice which covered a large part of the Lough up to 30 cm thick
in places.
Of the 52 Marks/Perches 21 are Sound with 31 damaged including
15 missing with no trace visible 8 level with water just visible 4
bent over and 5 having top missing.
The Snowdrop litter lift on Saturday,
26 February 2011 has left the Island completely litter free. This
meets one of our goals set in 2004.Well done all who helped with all
the hard work over the last two months and during previous winters.
A great effort by all concerned!
The principles of leave no trace are very relevant on Rams Island,
we have a no dogs policy except guide dogs and of course no camping
during the breeding season.
The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace
The Leave No Trace programme is designed to help
outdoor enthusiasts value the natural environment,
to understand the impact of their activities, and to
enable them to make decisions to minimise that
impact while still enjoying their activities with
freedom.
Practising a Leave No Trace ethic is very simple:
Make it hard for others to see or hear you and LEAVE
NO TRACE of your visit.
Charity Canoe Trip
18 paddlers paddling for 3
days from Antrim to Castlerock via Lough Neagh and the Lower
Bann.
The crew from the Rams Island project will
be accompanying the paddlers across Lough Neagh in the
Island Warrior.
08 April 2010 to
10 April 2010
The United Nations declared 2010
to be the International Year of Biodiversity. It is a celebration of
life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives. The
world is invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of
life on earth: biodiversity
The River Bann & Lough
Neagh Association Co has produced a guide for the two major Islands
of Lough Neagh, Coney Island and Rams Island.
48 pages of information about the flora and fauna, history and a
small hint of scandal.
A new 60 Berth Marina
has just been opened by Sandy Bay Marina Ltd at 17a Shore Road, Lough
Neagh opposite Rams Island.
This is the main access point for Rams Island via the River Bann &
Lough Neagh Association passenger vessel Island Warrior(07715368050)
Further details about the new marina can be obtained by calling
Eastwood Estate Agents, Lisburn tel: 9266 5870 or alternatively, out
of hours, mobile: 07801 439 435.
Rams Island Volunteer Team would like to
apologise for the inconvenience caused to visitors while the
construction of the new jetty takes place. We are working as quickly
as possible in our spare time and hope to have the jetty completed
over the winter months.
Update Sept 2009 72 metres (240feet) of jetty in
completed
Over the winter months 2006/7 Volunteers
have been working long hours mainly at weekends to deliver materials
and equipment to the Island for the upgraded paths, fencing and for
the new jetty before the start of the nesting season. All are
in place and work will start on the new jetty in the near future,
with the work on the Island restarting after the nesting season.
pictures click here
Sunday
6th August 2006 Wedding on Rams Island
On Sunday the sixth of August a
bride and groom fulfilled their dreams by getting married on Rams
Island.
Island Warrior is a licensed passenger
boat for ferrying volunteers and the public to Rams Island.
Island Warrior is
also available for charter anywhere on Lough Neagh.
Saturday 22nd October
Bluebell
Planting
In a event organised by RBLNAC in conjunction with Antrim
Community Forum 38 children and adults from Antrim planted five
hundred native bluebell bulbs (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) on Rams
Island.
Saturday 6th
August Rams Island Rally
25 Boats arrived from Sandy Bay,
Morrows Point, Battery Harbour,
Antrim and
Kilrea
Saturday 25th June
Himalayan Balsam Bash on Rams Island
RBLNA have become an Associate Group of the Conservation
Volunteers. This will help to progress the Rams Island Heritage
Project.
click on CVNI logo to visit website.
RBLNA has
made an application for funding to restore the jetty at Rams Islandand
to undertake restoration work on the Island. Any members wishing to
become involved in this project or anyone wanting further
information contact Michael Savage on 07715368050 or to email
Michael
click here
Click on Paradise Lost to download an Article by
Michael Savage published in Inland Waterways News
Ram's Island is located
approximately one mile offshore from Lennymore Bay and Sandy Bay on the
Eastern Shore of Lough Neagh. Rams is the largest island on Lough Neagh.
Lough Neagh was designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest
(ASSI), a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar site in 1992, 1996 and
1976 respectively. It has been suggested that Rams was formed as a
Glacial Esker. It is nearly one mile long by a quarter of a mile wide at
the widest southern end. Notable features of the Island are a round
tower (a scheduled ancient monument 58:16, the remains of a Celtic
Monastic Settlement about a thousand years old) and the ruins of the
O’Neill’s’ nineteenth century summer house. The Island was last
permanently inhabited in the 1920s by the Cardwell family who were
caretakers for the O’Neill’s. The remains of Cardwell’s harbour, left
dry by the lowering of Lough Neagh, can be seen near the ruins of
Cardwell’s little house. The Island has quite a number of mature
deciduous trees including Oak, Ash, Alder, Willow, Birch, Beech,
Sycamore, Lime, Horse Chestnut, and unusually Walnut. There are Yew,
Snowdrops, Bluebells, Primrose, Lords and Ladies (Jack in the Pulpit),
Wild Mint, Wild Garlic, Lesser Celandine, Ferns and a carpet of
Daffodils, depending on the season. Fungi such as Scarlet Elf’s Cap and
Jelly Ear can also be found. There are also various Mosses and Lichens.
Although overgrown, there are remains of a carriageway along the
elevated central spine of the island. There are overgrown paths along
the entire length of the Island. Its remote, wilderness and ‘lost in
time’ qualities make Ram’s a pleasant and attractive place to visit.
World
Wetland Day Celebrations 
Sunday
6th August 2006 Wedding on Rams Island
