Festivals are an enjoyable addition to the life of a community; they are a welcome break from the sometimes mundane run of the mill routine and offer us the opportunity to let our hair down. Read More
Welcome to the West Armagh Consortium's website. We hope that you will find this both interesting and informative. We would like to take this opportunity to give the reader some background to us.
The West Armagh Consortium (WAC) was constituted in November 2002 as a voluntary amalgamation of local community groups from Armagh City West. As a non-sectarian and politically unaffiliated umbrella organisation, the Consortium welcomes affiliations from all new and existing community and voluntary groups in our catchment area. The groups currently affiliated represent districts within the three electoral wards of Abbey Park, Callanbridge and Downs.
As part of the Growing Communities programme and in partnership with Good Relations, there will be two cultural awareness sessions held in Cathedral Road Recreation Centre. See details below,
Saturday 29th February 2020 Visual Artist and Bollywood Dance Tutors
VENUE: Cathedral Road Recreation Centre TIME: 10am – 1pm
Saturday 7th March 2020 World Drumming and Visual Artist
VENUE: Cathedral Road Recreation Centre TIME: 10am – 1pm
Refreshments provided • Max capacity 30 • Approx. age 4 – 14 years old · NOTE THESE EVENTS ARE FREE
To register please contact Claire McCann on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 028 37529632 Ext: 3326
There will be Paediatric First Aid course on Saturday 21st March in Hayloft Palace Stables. This is a six-hour training session starting at approximately 10.00am. It is being delivered by ABC under the NRPB Growing Communities Programme and is free of charge. There is a maximum of 12 places available. To secure a place contact Kelly Mallon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
It is well know that most people who smoke do want to give it up. The health hazzards are well documented and added to that, now is the social aspect for smokers who find it increasingly difficult to find smoking designated areas. The WAC, working with Public Health Agency will be delivering a smoking cessation programme at the WAC Healthy Living Centre , Sherry Field Recreational Centre.This is an update on a prevous programme originally planned last year which unfortnately could not be delivered at that time. The programme will consist of a workshop encouraging participants to adopt a programme for non-smoking that will be followed up with secondary meetings to chart progress. The frequency of those meetings will be determined at the initial meeting of the participants.
If you are interested in taking part in this programme contact Nora at the WAC office or Stephen on 07759949314.The health benefits of giving up the 'dreaded weed' are increasingly complemented by the financial benefits, that improve with every increase in tobacco taxation.
The Kangoo Fitness Programme with West Armagh Consortium and Kangoo Jumps Armagh got off to agreat start last Friday night in the WAC Healthy Living Centre, Cathedral Road Recreational Centre. The six week course will run until March 20th, as there will be no class on Valentines Night. Attendance is £3.00. If you are interested contact Sinead on 07743569727 to book shoe size for the kangoo boots. This is essential in order to attend programme.
The West Armagh Consortum will be delivering yoga classes for long term pain sufferers from Monday 17th February in the WAC Healthy Living Centre, Sherrys Field Recreational Centre. Start time is 10.00am the class will speacilaise in chair yoga and unlike pervious classes we have not set a cut off date and hope to keep the classes going for as long as required by participants. There will be a small charge of £2 for these classes and they are open to both men and women. There are still spaces available for the class. Contact Nora at WAC office or Stephen on 07759949314
As part of our Automatic External Defibrillator Programme that saw AEDs installed in local community houses we will be delivering two free classes of defribillator training (AED) on Saturday 22nd February 2020.
WAC has places for 16 persons in total and the acredited training will take place in WAC Healthy Living Centre, Cathedral Road Recreational Centre. The morning class starts at 9.00am and following lunch the afternoon class will commence approx 1.30pm. The training last for between 3 1/2 to 4 hours and will be delivered by a fully trained and medically qualified tutor. A recognised certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the training.
This is a free of charge. To register contact Stephen on 07759949314 or Nora through the WAC office. Anyone loking to take part please note that a registration form needs to be completed for the Southern Regional College prior to the commecement of the course. This is will also facilitate the issuing of the certificates. Registration forms are available from WAC office at Sherry Field Recreational Centre or contact 07759949314
The following statement has been issued by the St.Paticks Day Celebrations Committee who have asked for it to be shared by all contacts
On behalf of the St. Patricks Day Celebrations Committee that was formed following the issue with last years’ St. Patricks Day parade, we would like to invite all interested community groups, cultural groups,sporting clubs,businesses,and individuals to participate in this years St.Patricks Day Parade in Armagh City. The sole purpose of our committee is to organise a community-based St. Patricks Day Parade in the city on an annual basis. The St. Patricks Day Parade will take place on Tuesday 17th March assembling at the site of the old customs building on the Monaghan Road, about 100 yards from the junction with Irish Street Road at 1.00pm with a start time of 2.00pm. This will be a strict time to accompdate other events that are on in the area.
Please take note of this change in assembly point, as stressed in ealier article the original assembly point was subject to change due to footabll fixtures.
We would like to invite all interested parties to participate in our parade. Last years’ community parade was a great success and we would like to build upon that. The format of the parade is quite simply, all are welcome. We wish to make it an inclusive parade as possible to reflect the varied aspects of commerce, cultural, sporting, religious and ethnic diversity that makes up our population. Inclusion not exclusion is the order of the day
Everyone is not only welcome to attend, but are encouraged, to carry banners, flags and any other colourful paraphernalia that depicts their role within our community. If you wish to put on a float, this too will be very welcomed.
To facilitate the smooth running of the parade we would be grateful if you could let us know if you or your group are intending to participate. You can appreciate that such a parade necessitates advance planning and we would like to be able to draw up our parade plan as soon as possible.
The parade will follow the same route as last year. It is included in the Home of St. Patrick Festival, a weeklong event organised by council. Council will not be organising a St. Patricks Day Parade this year, so our parade will be the only community-based parade on St. Patricks’ Day this year in Armagh City.
We can be contacted via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by mobile 07759939314 and look forward to hearing from you.
Two charities benefited from the West Armagh Community Festival's fun raising venture that saw a number of hardy community activists climb Slieve Donard to hold a poc fada.£3,173.58 was raised and was divided evenly betwen the Lord Mayors Charity Fund and Lisanally Special School. Stephen Fields from West Armagh Consortium presented one of the cheques to the Lord Mayor Cllr, Mealla Campbell while John Fields presented the other cheque for Lisanally Special School to Eileen McCann.
What is Social Prescribing? It is a communinty approach to health and well being.SPRING is the Healthy Living Alliances' Social Prescribing Programme being delivered through its network of Healthy Living Centres.The West Armagh Consortium Healthy Living Centre,based at Sherrys Sports Complex is part of that network and where our local SPRING social prescriber is based.
The West Armagh Cosortium will be offering a free counselling service starting in early January. Counselling covers a wide range of issues and by its very nature is tailored to the clients individual needs.The service will be strictly managed in line with recognised and approved proceedures and protocols.Details of this srvice are contained within the poster below. Contact Emma to book an appointment.
There was a wee grey toy rabbit lost during Sundays parade. It was lost around the Charlemount area. It is a childs' comforter . If anyone knows anything about this can the get in touch. 07759949314.
In a follow up to this story, there is a happy ending. The grey rabbit was handed in at the Shambles Yard were the council had organised a family day. A council worker took it to lost and found and when she seen our social media posts contacted the consortium. We are pleased to say that rabbit and child have been reunited, much to the relief of the child's parents, who said that 'it restores you faith in human nature when your realised that someone made the effort to return the toy'
The streets of Armagh were thronged with people who came out to enjoy the community parade organised in response to the ABC Councils decision to change its own St. Patricks Day Procession. Lead by a flag party consisting to 25 national flags and walking behind the St. Patricks Flag, the parade made it way through the streets for its finishing point at Sherry Field Sports Complex. Even the odd shower of rain couldn't dampen people’s spirits who can out in their droves to both spectate and walk in the parade.
The organisers have thanked everyone who helped out with the organising of the parade and the many individuals and business who donated money that was used put the parade over. Speaking on behalf of the organising group, Stephen Fields said “The response to the news that the council had changed the St. Patricks Day parade has been phenomenal. The community stepped up to the plate and came out in force. This was very evident in both the turnout and the volunteers who helped out in every way. This included the making of flags/bunting, the donations of materials, the stewards, messages of support and willingness to be involved. Due to the complete lack of consultation on the part of the council (council has still not responded to our initial letter), we only had just over 4 weeks to organise this parade and it could not have been done without this support. A big thank you to all and all credit is due to the community.
“Sundays parade was an example of inclusiveness. We sought to include as many as possible and to do so in a festive and community spirited manner. Numerous people have thanked WAC and the organising group for putting on the parade, but the real thanks goes to the people who by their actions over the weekend completely vindicated our decision to go ahead and organised the parade in response to the council’s disgraceful decision to change the day.”
It has been described as one of the biggest and colourful parades in years going back to the time when the community used to organise monster parades through the town. Those parades were at a time when the council hardly recognised St. Patricks Day but eventually through constant pressure from local representatives the council began to take the day onboard. However, that has not been a smooth journey, they have almost been dragged kicking and screaming to the conclusion that as a public body they should be supportive of everybody's expressions of culture and views. Nevertheless and even to this day, they have sought to mitigate against the parade and any sense of Irishness . Their choice in bunting omits the recognised colours of green and white. They have a lengthy list of pre-conditions for those wanting to take part in the parade , so much so, that in recent years there has been very little community buy in. This in turn has forced the council to rely more and more on professional street performers. While such acts are very colourful, they alone cannot command the support and widespread community participation.
It was smiley faces all round at the childrens' party held in Sherrys recently marking the end of Carnival . The party was organised by our local polish group POLACY to mark the end of Carnival which is a pre-Lenten event. Such events are traditional in many countries and there are many similarities in how this time is marked.
ThePolish Carnival season includes Fat Thursday (Tłusty Czwartek), when pączki (doughnuts) are eaten, and Śledzik (Shrove Tuesday) or Herring Day. The Tuesday before the start of Lent is also often called Ostatki (literally "leftovers"), meaning the last day to party before the Lenten season.
The traditional way to celebrate Carnival is the kulig, a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered countryside. In modern times, Carnival is increasingly seen as an excuse for intensive partying. As can be seen from our pictures,everyone certainly enjoyed the event.
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FREE COUNSELLING SERVICE +
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FOGRA - A HAPPY ENDING +
There was a wee grey toy rabbit lost during Sundays parade. It was lost around the Charlemount area. It is…Read More
End Of Carnival Party +
It was smiley faces all round at the childrens' party held in Sherrys recently marking the end of Carnival . The…Read More
SUCCESSFUL DAY ON THE BANKS OF THE CALLAN RIVER +
There was a great turnout for the litter pick along the banks of the Callan River on Saturday. Organised by…Read More
LOCAL CHILDREN ARE TARGETED BY VANDALS. +
Some of the glass placed on childrens' play equipment The West Armagh Consortium is calling on the youths responsible for…Read More
THE HAUNTED WALK AT SHERRYS +
Halloween entertainment for all the family. Everyone welcome. Admission is FREE A few snaps of the night The Haunted Walk…Read More
Physical Acivity Programme +
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Local Charities Benefit From Festival Run +
Deputy Lord Mayor of ACBC, Cllr, Paul Duffy pictured with those attending the presentation evening. Two local charities were presented…Read More
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Registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC100377
Welcome to the West Armagh Consortium's website. We hope that you will find this both interesting and informative. We would like to take this opportunity to give the reader some background to us.
As part of our Automatic External Defibrillator Programme that saw AEDs installed in local community houses we will be delivering two free classes of defribillator training (AED) on Saturday 22nd February 2020. 
