County Down Rural Community Network

🚨How ready is your community in an Emergency?

Rural Community Network, with the help of County Down Rural Community Network is bringing people together to explore how rural communities prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

You do NOT need to be a member of a community group, have any experience of emergency planning or know anything about civil contingencies or community preparedness.

In fact, if you DON'T know what would happen in an emergency – we really want to hear from you.

We want to understand what people in rural communities know, don't know, worry about and would need if something happened in their area – whether that's flooding, severe weather, power cuts or another emergency.

Every response helps us build a clearer picture of what rural communities need and where support could be improved.

So, how can you share your views?
Join our Community Resilience Workshop - details below.
Can't attend in person? Fill out our survey here and be in with a chance to win a £100 One4all gift card 👇
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/RCNCivilContingencies/

Community Resilience Workshops dates:

🗺️Area: County Down
Date: 1st of October
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: Scout Hall Downpatrick, 48 Thomas Russell Park Downpatrick BT306NH
*** Note: Attendees should enter VIA the leisure centre car park and drive down to the end of the car park which will take you into the Scout Hall car park ***
📞Contact: [email protected]

🚨How ready is your community in an Emergency?

Rural Community Network, with the help of County Down Rural Community Network, Northern Area Community Network, Omagh Forum for Rural Associations, Fermanagh Rural Community Network and Rural Area Partnership Incorporated, is bringing people together to explore how rural communities prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies.

You do NOT need to be a member of a community group, have any experience of emergency planning or know anything about civil contingencies or community preparedness

In fact, if you DON'T know what would happen in an emergency – we really want to hear from you.

We want to understand what people in rural communities know, don't know, worry about and would need if something happened in their area – whether that's flooding, severe weather, power cuts or another emergency.

Every response helps us build a clearer picture of what rural communities need and where support could be improved.

So, how can you share your views?

Join one of our 4 Community Resilience Workshops near you!

Can't attend in person? Fill out our survey here and be in with a chance to win a £100 One4all gift card 👇
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/RCNCivilContingencies/

Community Resilience Workshops dates:

🗺️Area: County Fermanagh
Date: 30th September
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: Boho Community Hall
📞Contact: 028 6632 7006 / [email protected]

🗺️Area: County Down
Date: 1st of October
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: Scout Hall Downpatrick, 48 Thomas Russell Park Downpatrick BT306NH
*** Note: Attendees should enter VIA the leisure centre car park and drive down to the end of the car park which will take you into the Scout Hall car park ***
📞Contact: [email protected]

🗺️Area: Mid Glens Area
Date: 8th October 2026
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: Parish Centre, Cushendall
📞Contact: [email protected] / 028 217 72100

🗺️Area: Omagh & Strabane rural areas
Date: 13th October 2026
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: Glenpark Estate
📞Contact:
[email protected] / 028 71 337149
[email protected] / 028 82 251559

Great things happen when we work in partnership!
We have been working with community and corporate groups over the summer to remove invasive species from the Peace Maze.
Thanks to Avove Ireland, Business in the Community and Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark for working with us to protect the Castlewellan Peace Maze as part of 25th Anniversary leading up to the celebration event Castlewellan Heritage Market which is being held on Sunday 20th September 12noon to 4pm
Pathways to Peace Project supported by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

Avove Ireland supports Castlewellan Peace Maze through Business in the Community initiative

Free Planning Advice session
Monday, 21 September 2026
11am until 2pm
Lodge, 1 Dublin Road, Castlewellan.

Community Places planners will be there to give free advice on any planning issues.

If you would like to know more about Community Places contact 028 9023 9444 or email [email protected]

Today marks the 25th Anniversary of the Peace Maze.
County Down Rural Community Network are hosting a public event Castlewellan Heritage Market a celebration event taking place at Castlewellan Forest Park on Sunday 20th September from 12noon to 4pm.
This event follows a year-long programme of community events and workshops funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

• Live performances showcasing local music
• The Corrymeela Peace Exhibition, highlighting themes of peacebuilding, reconciliation and shared heritage
• Cultural exhibitions and traditional craft demonstrations
• Food, heritage and artisan market stalls
• Guided heritage tours and storytelling experiences
• A creative arts for all ages

The community festival will celebrate the rich heritage, culture, creativity and community spirit of the area while showcasing the achievements and outcomes of the Peace Maze project.
The Corrymeela Community
Friends of Castlewellan Arboretum
Dolmens Climate Action Network Public Page
Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark
Heart of Down Red Squirrels
Hillyard House Hotel
Mournelive
Visit Mourne Gullion Strangford
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs