Villagers reject Irish street signs proposal
AN attempt to erect Irish language signs on a road in Ballintoy has failed, it has emerged.
Church of Ireland parishioners were among the 64 per cent of residents on the road to say no to Irish signs on Harbour Road.
Some 47 churchgoers objected to the application to install the signs – however, under the rules, this translated into a total of just one vote from the church on the Seafront Road.
Only 36 per cent of respondents were in favour of the Irish signs, far short of the required two thirds demanded by Moyle Council. Consequently, the Irish sign proposal was thrown out.
Under current rules, individuals can apply to the council to ask for bilingual street signs in either English and Irish, or English and Ulster-Scots.
Some Irish signs can be seen in the Glens and Ballycastle areas while there are Ulster-Scots signs in Bushmills.
Meanwhile, new Irish signs are set to be put up in Cushendun. Moyle Council was told a survey showed that 100 per cent of respondents at Riverview Crescent agreed to the move. In Knocknacarry Court, 71 per cent of those who replied were in favour.
Ballintoy has just 165 residents according to the last census, which was recorded in 2001. However the village attracts a large number of tourists for its natural beauty and proximity to landmarks such as the Giant’s Causeway.
It has also been a hotspot for film makers with the television drama Game Of Thrones recently filmed there.
