Newry-Dundalk Twin City Region

A major study into "The Newry-Dundalk Twin City Region” has identified four projects to drive a collaborative framework at sub regional level:- a Newry/Dundalk centre of excellence, a Newry/Dundalk international services zone, geo – tourism and the management of a shared landscape and natural heritage as well as a coordinated regeneration strategy for older areas in Newry and Dundalk.

The Report was launched by Conor Murphy, MP MLA, Minister for Regional Development in Northern Ireland, and John Gormley, TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government of the Republic, at a special event at the Carrickdale Hotel, Ravensdale, Dundalk, Co Louth.

Published by the International Centre for Local and Regional Development, (ICLRD) the “Newry-Dundalk Twin City Region” Report brings together recent and current research on how to realise the benefits of cross border collaboration in the Newry-Dundalk Sub Region through integrated planning and development strategies. 

The Report, which was guided by a high level steering committee, chaired by Intertrade Ireland with representatives from central and local government and business on both sides of the border, details how the Newry-Dundalk Twin City Region is well positioned to attract high quality jobs, improve the local environment, generate a wide range of public and commercial services, and promote a well managed environment for tourism and recreation.

The Newry-Dundalk Twin City Concept first captured the imagination of politicians, academics, and senior officials six years ago at an Ireland-Harvard Conference held in Newry City.  The Newry-Dundalk Region has traditionally exhibited a long history of cross border co-operation between the local authorities of Newry and Mourne, Louth County and Dundalk Town Councils.

Councillor Colman Burns, Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council, joined his colleagues from Louth County Council and Dundalk Town Council in welcoming the launch of the Newry-Dundalk Report.

“Newry and Mourne Council has been committed to cross-border co-operation for many years.  We were co-founders, along with Louth County Council, in the establishment of the East Border Region in 1976.  We also have a long established joint committee of elected members from Dundalk Town Council and Newry and Mourne District Council who meet on a regular basis to discuss issues of mutual concern and to promote greater co-operation between the communities on both sides of the border.  Also at a local level through the Castleblayney-South Armagh Partnership we have supported a number of local tourism development projects.  I very much welcome the Newry-Dundalk Twin City Report.  This not only celebrates the co-operation already undertaken at the local level, but also sets out for us an agreed way forward that will help establish the Newry/Dundalk Twin City Region as a dynamo for growth and development on the island of Ireland”.

Newry and Mourne District Councils Chief Executive, Mr Thomas McCall, elaborated how the Newry-Dundalk Twin City Vision was first established at a local level and has been developed from the bottom up.  Mr McCall said:

“The vision which was established by local politicians has taken hold in the minds of policy makers both in industry and in the public service.   By stating our case for the future development of the Twin City Region, we have set out a series of key strategic projects, which are capable of delivery and which will help establish this region as an exemplar for cross border development in the future”.

Aidan Gough, Director of Strategy at Intertrade Ireland who chaired the group said:

“In these troubled economic times, the Twin City Region Project sets out a route map to future prosperity based on cross border co-operation, local leadership and central support.  It is a prime example of actions locally to complete globally”.

The Report published by the ICLRD sets out the practical and mutual benefits of voluntary co-operation which will be reflected in pooling of expertise, sharing of good practice and efficiencies in enterprise development as well as the sustainable management of the region.  The ICLRD research team undertook detailed research and conducted over 100 interviews with key public, business and civic leaders to identify key issues affecting the region. 

A Steering Committee, chaired by Intertrade Ireland and supported by ICLRD, provided guidance to the study team which identified four key projects to be progressed within a wider sustainable development context. These include:

• A Dundalk/Newry Centre of Excellence to create a sustainable energy community linked to the work of Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and EU Concerto.
  

• A proposed Newry/Dundalk Cross Border International Services Zone linked to international financial and other services is proposed which will create additional skilled employment in the region. 
  

• The promotion of geo tourism and the management of a shared landscape and natural heritage to promote and safeguard the geological assets and natural resources of the Mournes, Cooley, Slieve Gullion and Carlingford Lough Region.
  

• A further project to create and co-ordinate a regeneration strategy for both Newry and Dundalk thus promoting the distinctiveness of the two cities will also be developed.
  

The Report proposes that the two jurisdictions should continue their existing co-operation, particularly at central government level, by building on structures that have evolved during the study.

A joint senior management group comprising the Local Authority County/ Manager and Chief Executive along with senior departmental heads has already been established to develop areas for co-operation in the future. 

A Twin City Region Advisory Group modelled on the Steering Committee and composed of representatives from the Newry and Mourne District, Louth County and Dundalk Town Councils along with representatives from the respective Chambers of Commerce and Central Government will be established, to oversee the implementation of the projects set out in the Report.  The Advisory Group will also be supported by a number of joint technical teams under the stewardship of the Senior Management Group.

The initiative shown by the civic, public and business leadership in Newry and Dundalk to bring added benefits to each side of the border with a new regional perspective will provide a powerful example of how voluntary inter- jurisdictional co-operation can benefit other local governments across the island of Ireland.

The launch of the Newry-Dundalk Twin City Region Report also sets out a first in terms of sub-regional strategic planning on the Island of Ireland.


Main Report (.pdf)
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