The Company is established to promote the River Bann and Lough Neagh (hereinafter referred to as the 'area of benefit') for the benefit of the inhabitants of Northern Ireland (hereinafter referred to as 'the beneficiaries') without distinction of age , gender , disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, political or religious opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, community and voluntary organisations and the inhabitants in a common effort to advance education, and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure-time occupation, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants and in particular:
a) to provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for appropriate recreation and leisure time occupation commensurate with the activities described above:
b) to advance public education in environmental and heritage matters in the area of benefit and the ways of
sustaining, conserving, protecting and improving the same.
For over 40 years the River Bann and Lough Neagh association has been involved in promoting the river and the lough and ensuring this important waterway is used properly without being spoilt. The association can trace its roots back to 1962 and came into existence officially in 1964 because of the threat of closure of the River Bann navigation between Toomebridge and Coleraine. Its aims and objectives are to preserve and promote the amenities of the Bann and Lough Neagh, their tributaries and associated waterways. The fact that navigation is
still possible between Toomebridge and Coleraine is due to the efforts of many people, but without the work of the RBLNA it is quite likely that navigation would have ceased to exist years ago. We have held many annual boat rallies over the years. The Association has produced a pilot book, a guidebook and helped with the production of a safety guide of Lough Neagh. RBLNA also organises boat rallies, environmental cleanups, canal walks, talks on a wide variety of topics, visits to places of interest to members and hosts visits to the System. In 2005 the RBLNA formed a company and signed a 30-year lease from Lord O Neill for Rams Island. In 2007 the company was recognised as a Charity by H M Revenue and Customs. At the moment and in the past, we have had no paid staff and all work administrative and hands on is done by volunteers. Rams Island Heritage Project volunteers have fundraised in excess of £300,000.00 for Capital Projects on the island such as building a new jetty, providing an interpretive centre, and providing a ferry boat. The physical work for these individual ventures was undertaken by volunteers. The project has a small team of committed individuals. The project focuses on environmental restoration of the island, enhancing habitat for wildlife and creating safe and free public access to the island.