Daft Raft Race is festival success

Dundrum Development Association Directors Paul Symington and Dr Paddy McComiskey present a cheque for £5,000 to Karen Law and Manus O’Boyle from the Pantry Foodbank in Newcastle.

Dundrum Development Association has helped Dundrum GAC to purchase a new digital scoreboard through a grant to the club. Included are (from left): Dr Patrick McComiskey and Micheal Rodgers, DDA, John Kielty, Dundrum GAC chairman, Christine Cummins, Dundrum GAC secretary, and Paul Symington DDA. Photo by Mourne Observer.

DUNDRUM Development Association has a new chairman.
Stephen Calvert has taken the reins after longstanding chairman, Dr Patrick McComiskey, decided to step down after leading the organisation since its inception in the 1990s. Patrick will remain on the Board of DDA as will another longstanding officer, Frances Flynn, who has stepped down as secretary. Frances has been replaced by Deborah Boden.
Paying tribute to Patrick and Frances, the new chairman said: “The DDA and Dundrum village are indebted to Patrick and Frances for their active leadership, service and judicious stewardship of the group over a period of over 25 years in what is a voluntary role. They have steered the organisation with a steady hand and it is a testament to them that the group and the village itself continue to flourish.
“We are very grateful of their willingness to remain on the Board with Patrick taking on the additional role of Treasurer. During the period the charity has supported many groups and organisations within the village and will continue to do so.”

The return of a summer festival to Dundrum in 2023 was a huge success. Several thousand people packed into the centre of the village over the day-long event which was organised by Dundrum Village Association and funded by Dundrum Development Association and Clanmill Housing.

Stephen Calvert, treasurer of Dundrum Development Association, presents a cheque to Rosemary McManus, of Creative Village Dundrum, towards the cost of setting up a new creative hub in the village. Included are DDA members Micheal Rodgers and Frances Flynn, along with Eileen Byrne, of Creative Village Dundrum.

Frances Flynn, secretary of Dundrum Development Association, cuts the ribbon to officially open the new nets at Dundrum Cricket Club. Included are Bobby Curlett (left) Club Chairman, councillor Hugh Gallagher, Newry Mourne and Down Council, along with James Martin, captain of Dundrum 1st Xl, and Sarah Herron, captain of the women’s team. Dundrum Development Association was one of the principal funders of the project.

Dundrum United FC chairman Jimmy McElrath and treasurer Paddy Cunningham receive a cheque for £5,929 from Dundrum Development Association members Dr Patrick McComiskey, chairman, Frances Flynn, secretary, Stephen Calvert, treasurer, and Paul Symington. The money will...