Church of Ireland members of one of the most
photographed country churches in Northern Ireland have objected to a bid
to erect Irish nameplates on the road outside their place of worship.
Ballintoy Church is perched on the North Antrim coast and is one of the
most scenic churches in the country, often pictured with a stunning
vista of Rathlin Island in the background.
The area was also recently the backdrop for the filming of scenes for
the new series of global smash hit fantasy series, ‘Game of thrones’,
which has just been nominated for 13 Emmy awards–the US television
version of the Oscars.
But behind the beautiful scenery and peaceful countryside, a bitter
debate has been raging over the erection of a bilingual signs in the
area.
Strong opposition by local residents means that the signs will not go ahead in the area around the church.
Under current rules, individuals can apply to Moyle Council in nearby
Ballycastle for bilingual street signs in either English and Irish or
English and Ulster Scots.
Several Irish signs have already gone up, mostly in the predominantly
nationalist Glens of Antrim and Ballycastle areas, while Ulster Scots
nameplates appeared in places such as the mainly Unionist Bushmills in
the area leading to the world famous Giant’s Causeway.
It emerges that an application was made for bilingual Irish/English
signs of Harbour Road, Ballintoy – where the Church of Ireland parish
church is situated – but the bid failed because only 36% of respondents
on the road were in favour.
This fell short of the necessary two thirds
of positive replies, thus vetoing the proposal.
A Moyle Council report said, “With regard to the proposal in respect of
Harbour Rd.,Ballintoy, it should be noted that a petition was submitted
to the council signed by 47 parishioners of Ballintoy Parish Church
strenuously objecting to such a proposal. However only one vote was
allowed on behalf of the church premises.”