Fifteen years ago, Oxford Island – a designated National Nature Reserve situated on the southern shores of Lough Neagh – was rated as the second most visited tourist site in Northern Ireland, second only to the Giant’s Causeway.
Yet, during peak summer months, their only catering facility is closed to the public twice a week.
After visiting the popular site of a Monday, Alderman Stephen Moutray raised his personal findings during a full meeting of council.
He raised the issue in relation to the council’s Business Plan for 2025/26, stating that his comments would constitute a “quick, high-level reference” aware that some items would be discussed during the confidential business section of the meeting.
The Alderman explained that he had travelled to Oxford Island that morning (Monday) and noticed that “once again” the café was closed. He informed members that it in fact closes every Monday and Tuesday.
“This morning there were hundreds of people out enjoying the summer sunshine of all ages,” he said. “Yet, this facility which 15 years ago was rated as the second most visited tourist destination after Giant’s Causeway in NI, the food offering is closed.
“I don’t think it’s good enough.”
Referring to a ‘Catering Review’, being undertaken by council the Alderman added: “We have had a Catering Review now which has been on for three years running, we are still not out the far end of it and this isn’t the only facility in this borough which is not performing well for the ratepayers, for the people who work in it, and I would like this addressed with a matter of urgency.
“There’s a cost here to the ratepayers. There’s better ways of operating things if we can’t do them correctly.”
Cllr Julie Flaherty concurred with the Alderman’s points telling members that while the café was open during her own visit on Sunday, it was “heaving” due to “short opening hours”.
The councillor said the service was “fabulous” but indeed, it seemed to her as though members were struggling with issues becoming “stuck” whereby elected representatives were unable to “break through” with progress.
