In these days of severe financial restraint, National Museums Northern Ireland (NMNI), which runs the site at Cultra, Co. Down, has been conducting a review of its operations, including events joint with other organisations. Whilst this review has been ongoing all such events including the Rally had been previously agreed were put on hold. By 20th March NMNI advised that the review was ongoing and that they could not confirm that the site would be available to ITH on 28th April. They advised in these circumstances they were unable to provide the facilities this year.
At such short notice ITH is not in a position, even if an alternative suitable venue was available, to make alternative arrangements which includes providing notice to the Police Service of Northern Ireland for transmission to the Parades Commission.
Your Directors will without delay consider if the Rally or similar event can be re-arranged for later in the year. Updates will be posted at www.ith.org.uk and on our Facebook page.
ITH looks forward to working with NMNI in the future building on the successful relationship which has existed for many years and welcoming back its many friends.