Menu
22/05/2006
Water Service commemorates Reservoir deaths
A memorial dedicated to the nine men who died during the construction of the Silent Valley and Ben Crom Reservoirs has been unveiled today by the Water Service.
The ceremony was held at the Silent Valley Reservoir where the memorial has been erected and was attended by relatives of the men who lost their lives.
The Mourne granite memorial was unveiled by Katharine Bryan, Chief Executive of Water Service who paid tribute to those who died.
She said: “It has been a great honour to unveil this memorial on behalf of Water Service. It is a fitting tribute to the nine men who made the ultimate sacrifice, many at such a young age, so that the Belfast area could have a regular and reliable supply of clean drinking water.
“It has been a very poignant day, however I am delighted to have been able to meet so many relatives of those who lost their lives and formally recognise the lasting contribution made by the men so many years ago.”
After the unveiling, nine native trees were planted to represent the lives lost during the construction of both dams.
The Silent Valley Reservoir was constructed between 1923 and 1933 by a workforce of around 2000 men made up of locals from the Mourne area along with many others from across Great Britain and Ireland.
Although celebrated on completion as one of the great civil engineering achievement of its time sadly eight men died during its construction, six from Northern Ireland.
Following the war, the Water Commissioners decided that it was necessary to use the full yield of water available from the Silent Valley catchment area in order to meet higher demands.
As a result the Ben Crom Reservoir was constructed between 1953 and 1957 in the Upper Silent Valley.
A total of 186 men were involved in building the mass gravity dam but regrettably one person was killed, a foreman joiner from Northern Ireland.
(EF/GB)
The ceremony was held at the Silent Valley Reservoir where the memorial has been erected and was attended by relatives of the men who lost their lives.
The Mourne granite memorial was unveiled by Katharine Bryan, Chief Executive of Water Service who paid tribute to those who died.
She said: “It has been a great honour to unveil this memorial on behalf of Water Service. It is a fitting tribute to the nine men who made the ultimate sacrifice, many at such a young age, so that the Belfast area could have a regular and reliable supply of clean drinking water.
“It has been a very poignant day, however I am delighted to have been able to meet so many relatives of those who lost their lives and formally recognise the lasting contribution made by the men so many years ago.”
After the unveiling, nine native trees were planted to represent the lives lost during the construction of both dams.
The Silent Valley Reservoir was constructed between 1923 and 1933 by a workforce of around 2000 men made up of locals from the Mourne area along with many others from across Great Britain and Ireland.
Although celebrated on completion as one of the great civil engineering achievement of its time sadly eight men died during its construction, six from Northern Ireland.
Following the war, the Water Commissioners decided that it was necessary to use the full yield of water available from the Silent Valley catchment area in order to meet higher demands.
As a result the Ben Crom Reservoir was constructed between 1953 and 1957 in the Upper Silent Valley.
A total of 186 men were involved in building the mass gravity dam but regrettably one person was killed, a foreman joiner from Northern Ireland.
(EF/GB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 January 2002
Save water to avoid summer shortage warns Minister
More than 300,000 people in Belfast and County Down are being asked to economise their water usage in order to avoid a summer shortage. Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson MP MLA warned that a lack of rainfall has led to a significant drop in water levels at reservoirs in Silent Valley, leaving them only about a third full.
Save water to avoid summer shortage warns Minister
More than 300,000 people in Belfast and County Down are being asked to economise their water usage in order to avoid a summer shortage. Regional Development Minister, Peter Robinson MP MLA warned that a lack of rainfall has led to a significant drop in water levels at reservoirs in Silent Valley, leaving them only about a third full.
09 May 2023
NI Water To Develop Silent Valley Masterplan
NI Water is seeking input from the public on the future development of Silent Valley Mountain Park. The utility provider has said that it is keen to enhance the site, which is a popular visitor attraction while also operating as a key strategic reservoir providing drinking water for a large part of County Down and the Greater Belfast Area.
NI Water To Develop Silent Valley Masterplan
NI Water is seeking input from the public on the future development of Silent Valley Mountain Park. The utility provider has said that it is keen to enhance the site, which is a popular visitor attraction while also operating as a key strategic reservoir providing drinking water for a large part of County Down and the Greater Belfast Area.
03 October 2023
Report Highlights Quality Of NI Drinking Water
Northern Ireland's drinking water remains at a 'high standard', according to the new Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) report for 2022.
Report Highlights Quality Of NI Drinking Water
Northern Ireland's drinking water remains at a 'high standard', according to the new Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) report for 2022.
23 September 2022
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
NI Drinking Water Quality 'Remains High'
The quality of drinking water across NI remains highs, according to the latest report from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI).
16 August 2022
Celebrations Mark 100 Years Of The Mourne Wall
Celebrations have got underway to mark the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Mourne Wall. Locals gathered at the Silent Valley reservoir in the Mournes for the 'Party in the Park', enjoying live music, entertainment, food and games, alongside celebrating the history of the wall.
Celebrations Mark 100 Years Of The Mourne Wall
Celebrations have got underway to mark the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Mourne Wall. Locals gathered at the Silent Valley reservoir in the Mournes for the 'Party in the Park', enjoying live music, entertainment, food and games, alongside celebrating the history of the wall.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
