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The village of Annalong staged its own 'Fourth of July' celebrations when it hosted an official reception to mark the opening of the completed £1.8 million regeneration scheme.
At the well-attended opening ceremony within the new complex, guests were welcomed to the reception by Sam Hamilton, Chairman of Annalong Community Development Association, who expressed his delight that the project had finally reached fruition after a decade of dedicated and focused community effort:
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"The harbour redevelopment and the Cornmill Quay did not happen by themselves and are major capital projects. I wish to place on record my thanks and appreciation to all those associated with the project from conception to completion, including past and present directors, funders and those associated with the development in any way. We, as a group, are delighted with the end project ..." "I am happy that the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, Chairman Feely of Newry and Mourne District Council and our local MP Mr. McGrady, who has been extremely supportive of our efforts, have all found time within their hectic schedules to attend today and see at first hand the quality of the finished product. "I am confident that our guests will be able to visualise the potential that this land and sea development generates to enable Annalong to develop a niche within NI's expanding land and water based tourism industry" After the formal speeches, Bríd Rodgers and Mr. W. T. McCarter unveiled a plaque within the Cornmill Quay complex. Proceedings then moved to the refurbished harbour, where the Council Chairman Frank Feely unveiled a plaque to mark the completion of the harbour improvements scheme
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